He may not seem calm when he’s performing, but comedian, actor and author Lewis Black knows how to keep things in perspective.
Known for his funny rants against everything from politics to milk choices, Black, as intimidating as he may seem, is actually a laid-back, down-to-earth guy underneath it all.
And as angry as Black seems to be, he also describes himself as an optimist.
“You can’t be this angry unless you think it could be better,” he said.
This Thursday, Black will be in Eugene as part of his stand-up comedy tour, “In God We Rust.”
On his latest tour, Black, 62, will be exploring and making fun of many topics, such as getting old, Valentine’s Day, terrorism, the Tea Party, Facebook, iPods and, of course, economics.
“It’s always a riotous topic,” Black said.
The name of the show originated more than a year ago while Black was dwelling on the state of this country. “In God We Rust” is in reference to how our infrastructure is “rusting rapidly.”
“We only do things after the catastrophe,” he said.
His unique style of comedy and a knack for hitting politics over the head with his jokes have made Black a nationally known and beloved comedian, mostly known for his shows on Comedy Central, appearances on The Daily Show and stand-up specials on HBO.
Black’s first passion was playwriting, which he studied while attending University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. While at UNC, Black began stand-up comedy as a hobby.
In his late 30s and early 40s, Black’s career turned from a playwright to a comedian working in bit parts — roles with at least one line of dialogue — on television and in films.
Black got his start with Comedy Central in 1998 on the series “Comedy Central Presents.”
Since then he’s made numerous appearances on the network, HBO and other assorted TV shows and movies, making him a recognizable face whether for his comedy or for his bit-acting parts. He’s acted in both “Accepted” and “Unaccompanied Minors.”
Black’s inspiration for his material was pretty simple: “It’s whatever makes me angry or frustrated.”
The self-proclaimed socialist is not shy at all about sharing his political views and frustration with the state of the country.
“What’s occurring (right now) is really beyond comprehension,” Black said. “It’s like we don’t care anymore.”
And with so much to rant about, Black said he has found one solution that keeps his head from exploding.
“I take naps,” he said. “It gives me the energy to do what I have to do.”
In the future, Black said he doesn’t see a definitive end to his tours or his career in stand-up comedy.
“It ends when the audience stops laughing,” he said.
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Lewis Black’s ‘In God We Rust’ tour comes to Eugene
Daily Emerald
April 3, 2011
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