Some funny business in Sandusky
0 comments
It's not until Detroit comedian Jay Cooper admits he's never been to Cedar Point that the funnyman realizes maybe why he has found a career as a stand-up comedian.
"Well, I'm too scared of roller coasters," said Cooper calling from the Motor City. "I don't like heights or things that go fast, so I wouldn't have much fun at Cedar Point. And I guess you have to be impaired to be a comedian, and at some point you stopped developing."
Perhaps his personality may be stunted, but his comedy career continues to grow. What began a dozen years ago with a dream is now a busy gig in which he averages roughly 200 shows a year.
He balances out his time by spending half the year in Los Angeles (waiting for a shot at a sitcom) and the rest in Detroit (with his family).
His resume includes appearances on Comedy Central and "The Bob & Tom Show," as well as a comedy album, 2004's "My Name is Gus." Cooper is hoping for a big year in 2008.
"My goal is to go into a new tax bracket, but I love the road," Cooper said with a laugh. "Obviously every comic wants a sitcom or a movie. If that doesn't come along, I'm having so much fun working the road that it doesn't really matter. I'm just going to keep on doing what I do and if it stops being fun I'll quit."
Cooper describes his material as being of the one-liner variety. Other comedians may tackle political or topical humor, but he feels he's old school much in the same vein as his idol, Rodney Dangerfield.
Cedar Point notwithstanding, Cooper said he is looking forward to returning to Sandusky as part of the "Stand Up Comedy Show!," which takes place April 12 at Cedar Villa Restaurant. Also on the bill is comedian Mike Fowler ("The Bob and Tom Show").
"We just go up there and do our thing, especially these one-nighter shows," Cooper said.
"I don't like comedy clubs anymore because it's time-restrained. It's two shows in one night and a headliner only does 45 minutes. So at this show, if we're having fun with a crowd, we'll go two hours plus if they're rolling with it.
"We'll work on new material with them, and we have the standard material. It's just I love the freedom of the one nighters."
So it sounds like the onus is on the crowd to make sure the comedians are having fun in order to get their A game?
"You know what, these towns are all the same," Cooper said. "Everybody likes to laugh. I love small town America. That's my bread and butter. We're on the road four or five nights in a row just doing shows.
"All we do is go back to the hotel after the show, so if the crowd is rolling with it, we'll put on a two-hour show and hang out afterwards.
"Yeah, we always have a good time. I haven't found a town I didn't like yet."
WHEN: 9 p.m., April 12
WHERE: Cedar Villa Restaurant, 1918 Cleveland Road, Sandusky.
TICKETS: $8.50
CALL: 419-625-8487
