There's a lot to be angry about in this world, according to comedian Lewis Black. Seldom mincing his words - and never apologizing for them - Black appears weekly on Comedy Central's "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" in a segment called "Back in Black," where everyone and everything is fair game.
On tour promoting his recently released comedy album, titled "Rules of Enragement," Black will perform at the Center for the Arts on Wed., Oct. 29. In the midst of a co-headlining tour with "Insomniac" star Dave Attell, Black's Buffalo appearance will be one of a few solo shows on the tour.
Punchy and precise, witty and sharp, Black's straightforward brand of humor might not be everyone's cup of tea, but the thought of pleasing the masses certainly hasn't curbed the Yale Drama-trained writer and comedian. In a phone interview two weeks ago, Black talked about politics, Al Roker, a possible sitcom and his on-stage persona of a man on the verge of a massive heart attack.
"I think what's funny is that I'm only angry because I'm an idealist," said Black while on a train to Boston. "What amazes me is that people are actually happy with this world. (The United States) is the richest country in the world, but 35 percent of people are above the poverty line. How stupid are we?"
Whether it's the war in Iraq or homeland security, Black points out rather matter-of-factly that comedy can come out of the most serious of situations.
"Our biggest problem is a leadership that takes no responsibility for their actions," said Black. "(President Bush) expects us to take responsibility for our actions. But by his example, it makes life very difficult."
Black pauses, plotting his normal sarcastic twist:
"And you gotta laugh at that, because in the end, you know, these people are taking themselves way too seriously," said Black. "The emperor's not wearing any clothes. And if you think that's not funny, you need psychiatric care."
Growing up in Silver Springs, Md. - in close proximity to the nation's capital - taught Black not only to question government, but to laugh at it as well. Being so close to Washington, D.C. "shaped me," said Black.
"It created my distaste for authority. If my neighborhood couldn't figure things out, nobody could," he said.
Anyone familiar with "Back in Black" or his critically acclaimed Comedy Central specials knows that Black pokes fun at more than just political notables.
He pokes fun at practically everyone. On his 2000 live CD, "The White Album," Black calls Today Show weatherman Al Roker an "intolerable, big, fat f**k." He has also referred to former first lady and current New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton as "Lady Macbeth."
But does Black have any concerns about offending anyone?
"Nah. I have no affect," he said. "Ninety percent of people I talk about have no idea who I am."
Luckily for Black, more people are getting an idea of just who he is. With the continued success of"The Daily Show," Black's rising celebrity spurred a planned but now defunct CBS sitcom. It was the hotheaded temper of his stand-up routine that made producers uneasy about the potential success of the show.
"My character was apparently too edgy for them," said Black. "What they don't realize is that people can deal with that. They're not going to go crazy."
The sharp wit of the "The Daily Show's" so-called "fake news," coupled with Stewart and his team of "special correspondents," has been heralded with bringing national news closer to younger audiences. The show won Emmy Awards this year for Best Variety, Musical or Comedy Series, as well as for the show's writing.
"I think it succeeds because of the point of view. It gives you a way in which to deal with a kind of reality that's out of control," said Black. "It's the same reason why when I was in school, we smoked pot."
Even though "The Daily Show" looks poised to stay on the air for years to come, the future for Black is unclear. His options are open, though. For one, he'd like to get back to work on that sitcom.
"I've always been kind of close and hovering around it. It makes perfect sense to me," he said.
There's always another option if the sitcom doesn't pan out.
"Drug running," said Black. "There's a lot of money to be made in it. If I can get my picture on a drug, that'd be great," he said.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
