thePULSEMeet Josh Blue, Last Comic Standing
By Andrew Fersch
Josh Blue is a man who knows what is important in life. And what can be funny. He has decided to dedicate his life to helping society by bringing the touchy subject of disabilities to the mainstream. And he has decided to do so as a stand up comedian. As the winner of last year’s hit season of “Last Comic Standing” on NBC, Josh has managed to take something he has that he knows can make others uncomfortable (Cerebral Palsy) and turned it into something genuinely cool.
Blue grew up with friends telling him he was funny enough to be a comedian but it wasn’t until he began watching a little too much Comedy Central (a channel he later appeared on in “Mind of Mencia”) at Evergreen State College that be realized he might be able to really do it.
“If they can do it, I can do it,” Josh remembers saying to himself. And do it he did. What began as a few small shows around his college quickly turned into a much broader range of shows where he gained a strong and loyal fan base who appreciated his uncanny ability to mix old-school jokes with audience driven improv. But it was more than that which led him to victory on “Last Comic Standing.”
Blue has a strong repertoire of punch line jokes. His delivery can be deadpan, but his magic is that he then takes whatever response the crowd gives him and improvises ~ a fine art indeed, and one that helps guarantee longevity.
Blue has managed to take a page from the great comedians of our time by poking fun at himself and the things that make people uncomfortable while also keeping true to himself and respecting himself. It’s a fine line and Blue understands and appreciates that it’s a large part of his appeal. “I am just a much better comedian than anything else and I am happy about what I’m doing onstage. I think it’s important in our society to talk about disabilities, to bring the touchy subjects to the mainstream.”
There’s a lot more to this groundbreaking comic than meets the eye, too. He is a US Paralympian soccer player who spends his free time working out for the upcoming Brazil Para PanAm Games, whenever his rigorous five day a week touring schedule allows (and when free of hangovers). He is fluent in three languages, English, French and Wolof (the language of Senegal, where he spent a year at age 15).
What truly sets Josh Blue apart though is how he is different in other ways. And most importantly, he knows what he wants. “I just gave comedy a try, once I got a taste, I loved it.”
To read more about Josh: www.joshblue.com/
To buy his merch, including the live DVD 7 More Days In The Tank and his Good Josh Bad Arm CD: www.badarmproductions.com/
To see some of Josh’s clips and other fun stuff: www.myspace.com/joshblue
To check out “Last Comic Standing:” www.nbc.com/Last_Comic_Standing/
To catch Josh’s live show, head to the Calvin Theatre in Northampton, MA on Oct.5. More info is available at www.iheg.com/calvin_theater_main.asp
