Pauly Shore born to make people laugh
Pauly "The Weasel" Shore's persona, wacky sense of humor and penchant for California slang and dude speak all make his comedy unique.
Best known for his early-'90s stint on MTV and for the series of film comedies that followed, Shore has been around comedy his entire life. His mom owns both the San Diego and Hollywood locations of The Comedy Store. His dad, also a comedian, is a Chicago native who opened for Elvis Presley in Las Vegas.
We caught up with Pauly to find out more about his upcoming show at The Improv in Schaumburg, and to see what he's been up to.
Q: Was it a natural thing for you to become a comedian, having been around it your whole life?
A: I have brothers and sisters (that) don't do it, so it's something that's in my blood. It's like, stand-up comedy, you don't choose it, it chooses you. I had no choice. It just hit me.
Q: Your dad opened up for Elvis?
A: I met Elvis when I was really little. I actually sat on his knee. That was fun. I don't really remember it, it was kind of blurry. I think I was like 2 or 3.
Q: At the time, did you realize his significance?
A: No, I was just with my dad, you know? That's what it's been like my whole life. As a kid, you grow up around all of these different comedians and it's very normal. Then, when you get older, you're like, holy (expletive), Robin Williams was in my house!
Q: Did you start your career in your mom's club?
A: I was 17. The obvious thing was to start at my mom's club. I actually stayed away from The Comedy Store for the first couple of years. Just trying to get comfortable.
Q: How would you brand your own variety of comedy?
A: Definitely spontaneous and edgy, but everyone knows I'm joking. I don't think people are too much offended by my stand-up. They're maybe a little like "whoa, whoa," but they know. They see me smile and (know) I'm having fun.
Q: You worked as a short-order cook at the Westwood Comedy Store at age 14?
A: I needed a job as a kid because you need money. I worked there because I wanted a saltwater fish tank. I was fascinated with saltwater fish as a child. My mom wouldn't buy me it, so I saved up and got this 100 gallon saltwater fish tank.
Q: Where did you end up putting that?
A: In my room in front of my bed so that girls could see it.
Q: "The Weasel" nickname?
A: It's weird. It's like people would call me it as a kid growing up and I just kind of developed it on MTV and it just sort of took off on MTV and into the movies.
Q: You have a new movie coming out?
A: "Opposite Day" is a kid's movie that will be out this year. I have a wife and two kids. The kids become the parents, and the parents become the kids.
Q: What would people be surprised to know about you?
A: That I watch a lot of CNN and I'm obsessed with Anderson Cooper. I don't think people would think that.
Q: What was a defining moment for you?
A: Accomplishing "Pauly Shore Is Dead." It was a lot of hard work. To write, direct, star, produce. It was like that time in your life where you realize that no one is going to help you out, so you realize that what life is about is actually doing your own stuff, and if you get help from people, that's spice on the cake.
Q: In what ways were you inspired to do that movie? Was it about your own career?
A: I think it was (about) making fun of what people think. People think if you're not starring in movies then you're like "over," you know? People don't realize that you're doing other things. So I wanted to make fun of that in a funny way. Personally, it was like a snake shedding the skin. Letting go of the past and going into the future.
Q: Do you sometimes feel that people miss your more serious side?
A: I have a persona of being a certain way and that's OK. People can feel that. I'm a comedian. I'm blessed to make people laugh. There's definitely a serious side to me in my work, but on camera there's not that many people that can pull off comedy.
Q: What can people expect at your upcoming show at The Improv?
A: The thing about me is when you watch the performance there is a tangible ness that I have with the audience. I'm never talking down or at them. It's like we're all one, you know? Just a party and forget about your life and come watch me make fun of people and myself and things that I hear. Check out "Natural Born Komics" -- its out right now on DVD -- and come to the Schaumburg show. It's going to be fun.
Pauly Shore at The Improv
5 Woodfield Road,
Woodfield Shopping Center, Schaumburg,
(847) 240-2001
Showtimes:
8 and 10:15 p.m., Friday, April 18; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Saturday April 19 and 7 p.m. Sunday April 20.
Tickets: $27
For ticket information, call 847-240-2001or visit www.symfonee.com/improv/chicago/home/index.aspx