Class clown makes good
As the star of two hit shows, The Drew Carey Show ( nine seasons) and Whose Line Is it Anyway? ( eight seasons), Drew Carey has enjoyed phenomenal success. These days the 54- year- old comic can be found working as a photographer at American pro soccer games, hosting The Price is Right and doing the job that got him all these great gigs in the first place, his standup act.
Q When did you know you were funny?
A When I was a kid I used to buy joke books all the time and memorize the jokes and tell them at school. Then when I was in grade school and high school I would hear jokes on morning radio, I would remember those jokes and tell ’ em at school. I was always good at memorizing jokes.
Q When did you first think you might make a living at it?
A I was almost 29, 30 years old when I started making a living. When I was 30 I felt like I could relax and make a living at it. I started late.
Q Do you remember the joke that nailed Johnny Carson? ( An early career break was a well- received 1991 appearance on The Tonight Show.)
A I think the whole routine got him. But the one that really got him was a bit about eating a chili dog at a Denny’s and having all the cholesterol march right down to my heart, telling the lettuce to get the hell out of the way. I think he was holding onto his desk for that one. There’s a clip of it on YouTube, but whoever posted it cut out the Denny’s part.
Q Being on two hit TV shows at the same time sounds like an awful lot of work.
A It was really fun. Whose Line wasn’t any pressure at all, Ryan ( Stiles) is the one who worked hard, I just sat at the desk. We’d get done with rehearsal on Friday, meet over where they did Whose Line, do a short rehearsal with old suggestions for the cameramen, then do the real show with real suggestions. It was pretty easy.
Q Tell us something about Ryan Stiles ( Carey’s co- star on both shows) he wouldn’t want us to know.
A There’s nothing, his life is pretty much an open book. He’s a super nice guy, he doesn’t want people to know that. He’s a really caring guy, really good to his friends. He lives in Bellingham now, he teaches improv ( at the Upfront Theatre). He has a pretty good life.
Q You’re a minority owner of the Seattle Sounders FC. What does that mean?
A I’m like a fan with benefits. I get to go on the field before the game, shake hands with the players. I get to go to the meetings if I want to, but I never do.
Q In your other life you’re a professional photographer.
A When I first started following soccer, I wanted to see some national team games. I thought that would be a good way to travel. I went down to Trinidad and Tobago and was staying at the same hotel as the team. They hooked me up with tickets and got me on the sidelines later. I saw the photographers and I always wanted to do photography, so I said can I bring my camera next time. The other photographers started giving me advice and a couple of them took me under their wing. I was watching from the sidelines anyway, so why not take pictures?
Q You have a reputation for salty language in your act. Has that changed, after having to clean up for network TV?
A No. I’m speaking to a common man, a common person. My audience is not really religious, or snooty. They drink beer, not champagne, to generalize it. Though they probably do drink champagne. I want to talk to them as if we’re in a bar, and I’m telling them jokes, telling them stories.
Drew Carey
April 19, 8 p. m. | River Rock Resort Tickets: $ 59.50 and $ 69.50 at ticketmaster.ca