The first time I was scheduled to appear on “Red Eye with Greg Gutfeld” on Fox News I asked “Red Eye” regular Nick Gillespie for advice. He said not to go into the show with written jokes. Instead, just interact with the others and you’ll be funny just by virtue of being around other funny people. (And I’m sure his advice was much more eloquent than my paraphrase of it).
By my second time on “Red Eye” I was more comfortable and fortunate to be on with comedian Joe DeVito. I hope I don’t ruin DeVito’s reputation in the New York comedy scene by saying he was pleasant, optimistic and sober.
DeVito has appeared on “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson,” “Live at Gotham” on Comedy Central, “Chelsea Lately” and a semi-finalist on season five of “Last Comic Standing.” On “Red Eye” he started out at the ombudsman desk filling in for Andy Levy, then moved to the “big boy desk” as a panelist
In an interview with The Activity Pit, a “Red Eye” fan forum, DeVito talked about comedy and politics. “I don't usually do a lot of political material onstage (although that's changing the more irritated I get) and a lot of people still get very touchy if you say ANYYTHING negative about Obama, especially in NYC. Of course, feel free to s*** all over Sarah Palin, any Republicans, average Americans, Christians and GW Bush; people will think you're a genius. It's so risky and edgy! In reality, it's incredibly played out and most of the jokes were about as boundary-pushing a 2009 Monica Lewinsky joke.”
DeVito doesn’t have a right or left political agenda. He’s just funny. Isn’t that the best quality in a comedian?
The De Pasquale's Dozen asks political figures and free market-minded writers and entertainers to take a break from politics and talk about their pop culture obsessions.
1. What's your favorite movie line and who would you like to say it to?
I’d do the entire Alec Baldwin speech from Glengarry Glen Ross every time a telemarketer called.
2. Tell me about your favorite teacher and how he or she influenced your life.
Mr. Olsen was the high school creative writing teacher who inspired me to write jokes that should’ve earned me a school suspension.
3. If you could be paid to do anything besides your current job, what would it be?
Whenever I see “Professional Bra Fittings,” I think I may have missed my calling.
4. Tell me about a public or private moment when you thought to yourself, "This is what Elvis felt like every day.”
Every time those burnt-bacon and peanut butter sandwiches impact my karate posing.
5. What's your current “guilty pleasure” television show?
“Homicide Hunter” on Investigation Discovery Channel. I can’t tell if Lt. Joe Kenda’s hair is a bad toupee or accumulated cigarette ash.
6. What’s the best present you ever received as a child?
Planet of the Apes action figures. I didn’t even know there was such a thing.
7. What’s the best present you ever gave?
The gift of my friendship (no refunds).
8. What advice do you remember your mother or father giving you? Did you take it?
I was complaining to my mother after I had a few bad shows and she said, “You know, no one MAKES you do this.” She’s right - it’s not exactly working in a coal mine.
9. Who would be on the perfect "Red Eye" panel?
John Bolton’s mustache, Ann Coulter’s legs, and Joe DeRosa getting mistaken for ME for a change.
10. What books are on your reading list?
Unbroken
HuskerDu: The Story of the Noise-Pop Pioneers Who Launched Modern Rock
The Development of Muscular Bulk and Power by Anthony Ditillo
11. What would you like tomorrow's headline to say?
“Billions Worldwide Celebrate Joe DeVito Dictatorship”
12. Tell me about a moment you were vocal about your political beliefs and didn't regret it.
At the 2014 Libertarian Convention I got to rip on the President AND make an Ayn Rand joke. Score!
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