A variety of pop culture images come to mind when New Jersey is mentioned. Snookie, The Sopranos … go on… Chris Christie, the Jersey Shore, the Garden State… and … you still haven’t thought of a Gay Italian-American comic, yet have you? Well, Jordan Pease is about to change that.
Jordan Pease is a 22 year-old comedian and writer, his memoir Accidentally Okay, was just published and his work appears on The Huffington Post. He’s gay, sure, and while he jokes about this aspect of his life, the humorist believes, “… that to get where I want to get, I need to learn how to make everyone laugh. Comedy is colorblind. If you can make anyone laugh you’re good- you’re going to get more work.†Currently, he is traversing our fair state amusing audiences. He took a few moments between sets to chat with Westside Today.
WT: Is there a difference between East Coast gay culture versus West Coast gay culture?
JP: Oh man, this is a touchy subject. Gays will go crazy if someone hates on their city! When I think of gay culture I think of San Francisco and New York. When I think of gay scene, I think of LA… and then I think of West Hollywood and Silverlake bars… and then I think of drunken boys wandering the streets in tight clothes every Sunday at noon. That sounds fun. Do I have a show next Sunday? No! Call the boys!
I love LA… we party hard and we work harrr-. Ehh, no we don’t. We go to the beach on Tuesdays. It’s insane. LA= entertainment… which I love. [Editor’s Note: were that this was my LA life….]
WT: You’ve said that humor has helped you overcome tragedy, “I was never the person to cry for weeks,†he says. “I’d turn it into a joke and laugh about it, have my family laugh about it.†When is it too soon to make a joke of a sad event and have you joked too soon in your past?
JP: Hmm. When my father passed away I had the weirdest initial reaction. First of course, I fainted onto the couch like Marilyn Monroe then dropped to my knees sobbing. But minutes after when my best friend came over to comfort me, I just couldn’t stop laughing. For some reason I couldn’t remember any of the bad moments my father and I shared. I could only remember the great, ridiculous, and adventurous ones. Jokes just make life easier.
Family wise- I mean, not with my family. Nothing is too soon! You should meet my sister. She is cut throat (but in the most soft-spoken way). One time she told a woman in at Walgreens she could read auras…
“See Jordan’s color is more of a green, my aura as an artist is more of a deep brownish red. Your aura is more like a yarn ball. You should go home and change, it will probably just make your day better. You know, get a fresh start.â€
… I died. But the girl was wearing a “vintage†wool sweater and for that reason alone, she felt the need to be a bitch to the lovely, slightly out of it old lady behind the register. The girl had it coming! [Editor’s Note: I’m a middle-aged woman who is slightly out of it and am now afraid of Jordan’s sister.]
WT: You’ve said, “I want every young person, gay or straight, short or fat, to leave my shows with hope believing they can do anything.†How do you consciously try to make your comedy sets empowering?
JP: After the show, when I usually hang in the crowd for a bit and thank them, I DEMAND they watch The Katy Perry Movie ASAP… It’s so empowering!
I make fun of myself for being a complete joke a lot, but honestly I’m trying to follow my dreams. I want everyone to follow his or her dreams. Even if you’re favorite thing in the world is golf. Or curtains! Well, if that’s what makes you the happiest – go hit a golf ball or start designing curtains! Who cares what people think. If you really believe you’re good at something and pursue it, you will get results. You just can’t give up… I just want everyone to love life and just got for it!
WT: What’s the best part of traveling all over CA to perform and what’s the worst part?
JP: Best Parts: San Francisco, San Diego and Tahoe!
Worst Parts: FRESNO! (I love you. Fresyeaaah I’m doin’ Fresno!)
I love the road. I get bored quickly. It’s exciting for me to see California… I’m from New Jersey. You can fit like six New Jerseys in one California. Every time we pass a desert I’m like, “Oh My God! This is like (dramatic pause) a LEGIT desert.†All the other comics are like, “No shit!â€
The road blows my mind for some reason. I’ve always loved to travel. I think in my past life I was a vagabond or something or… probably just a hippie.
I really want to cross “The Pond†and do a few shows in London. I’ve convinced myself that if I’m just adorable yet witty enough, I could get an audience with the Queen piss her pants. I’m telling you I’m going to do it. Once you get into that bloodline you are set!
You can catch this funnyman at Flappers Comedy Club in Burbank June 7th and 8th.
For more information: http://thejordanpease.com
