Want to go?
WHAT: The Nobodies of Comedy Tour
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, September 8
WHERE: The Ritz Theatre, 30 S. Washington St., Tiffin
COST: $10-$25
INFO: 419-448-8544 or visit Ritztheatre.org
Considering it’s called the Nobodies of Comedy Tour, funnyman Matt Bergman is apparently on the right bill.
Less than a decade since he started in the comedy business, the self-deprecating Buffalo, New York native is still on the rise. As are his comrades, Phil Hanley, Erin Jackson and Andy Pitz, who are also appearing on this installment of the Nobodies of Comedy Tour, which returns to Tiffin for a Sept. 8 show at The Ritz Theatre.
Funcoast talked to Bergman about his career, which has included opening stints for Dave Attell, Jeffrey Ross, Bill Burr and Jon Lovitz. Recently he was asked to open for Mike Birbiglia on a leg of his Comedy Central Live Tour, which included stops in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia. He also released his first comedy special “Friends,” which was released on Goo Goo Dolls member Robby Takacs’s label Good Charamel Records.
Funcoast: Let’s start with your style of comedy. Tell us about your show.
Matt Bergman (MB): It’s a mixture of a couple of jokes in the beginning and then it kind of gets into storytelling. You’ll hear a lot about my ex-girlfriend. She’s been in there quite a bit lately, and just a lot of, I hate to say awkward stories, but things that have happened. I have a story about a one-night stand that got a little carried away. And it’s a little bit of everything. There’s a story of my dad being denied baptism. Which a lot of people don’t believe can happen because have you been to church lately? They can use a few more season ticket holders there.
Funcoast: Have you been compared to any comedians in the past?
MB: No real comparisons. I feel like there’s a little I’ve taken away from the guys I’ve worked with over the years. Not so much in style but just kind of storytelling and those guys who do one-liners. It’s just kind of a mixture of everything. I’m a grab bag.
Funcoast: So wait, you’re the only comedian in the world who has never been compared to anyone? You’re one of a kind?
MB: Yeah [laughs], I don’t think I’ve ever been compared to anybody. Other than people saying you look like Luke Wilson. I’ve gotten that but he’s not a comic.
Funcoast: OK, in that case, would you describe your material as alternative, clean or dirty?
MB: Mostly it’s mainstream. There’s a couple of weird stuff in there that I have. As far as dirty, I’m not super-dirty. It’s pretty much PG-13. You’re not going to hear something that you haven’t heard before. You’re not going to say, “Oh my God, Grandma cover your ears.” I think it’s a show that everyone can kind of relate to and the times I get dirty, it’s not on purpose to get dirty. It’s to kind of prove an awkward point that I went through.
Funcoast: Wait, why are so many grandmothers coming to your show?
MB: I’m not saying grandmas come to the show, but if they do they’re not going to be super-offended. Actually, my grandma went to my show years ago and that’s when I was super-dirty and she got through it.
Funcoast: Congratulations on your debut CD/DVD. What’s it like working with a Goo Goo Doll?
MB: It’s pretty crazy. I grew up listening to that band and now like a week ago I was hanging out with Robby holding his kid. It’s kind of weird. There will still never be a moment where I’ll be like, “This is normal.” It’s all still completely crazy to me and yet at the same time very cool.
Funcoast: Finally, admit it, babysitting for Robby is in your contract?
MB: Yeah, once a month but it’s not big deal. You do what you have to do. He’s never around and his kid is awesome. I bet I could get a lot of chicks if I took his kid out.
The Nobodies of Comedy Tour is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Sept. 8 at The Ritz Theatre, 30 S. Washington St., Tiffin. Tickets are $10 to $25. For more information, call 419-448-8544 or visit Ritztheatre.org.
