Jim Breuer of 'Half Baked' to cook up laughs in Dover
Comedian Jim Breuer, named one of “Comedy Central's 100 Greatest Stand-Ups of All Time,” will tour to Dover Downs Hotel & Casino on Friday.
After making his big break in 1995 when he joined the cast of NBC's “Saturday Night Live,” Breuer quickly became a fan-favorite for his original character “Goat Boy” and his dead-on impressions of actor Joe Pesci. Following “SNL,” Breuer has appeared in several films, including the cult-classic comedy “Half Baked,” alongside comedian Dave Chappelle.
He recently released his latest comedy special on EPIX, “Jim Breuer: Comic Frenzy.” In the special, Breuer pokes fun of themes that many middle-aged adults are familiar with: dealing with the elderly, becoming a parent and being a caregiver to parents.
Breuer spoke to the Dover Post about how he challenges himself to be funnier, why he's excited about “Comic Frenzy” and his band's new hard-rock album (which he said is slated for release in April 2016, while the band is likely to begin playing shows in early 2016).
Q How have you raised the bar of your comedy?
A I'm constantly trying to up my own game to get more people to come see me. And when they come see me, make sure they're going to keep coming to see me. I can't do that by just keeping the same material or by talking about really boring subjects. I'm constantly trying to nail something that emotionally touches you, like right now I talk a lot about the elderly and dealing with mortality and stuff like that.
Q How were you able to put a funny twist on those topics in “Comic Frenzy?”
A I don't know, it's been my lifestyle since I was a kid; it's what I grew up with. Oh, you lost a foot? Well, we're going to call you “club.” There’s no “you're not getting off” just because you have a handicap or just because something happened to you. If anything, now we're going to dwell on it and make it funny.
Q What are your top goals right now?
A This [rock] record is number one on my list. I feel it's going to break me out to a whole different level.
Q Are you fronting the band? What's it called?
A Yes. I haven't named it yet [laughs]. I'll reveal the name, probably around November.
Q Why was now a good time to record an album?
A The timing was right. I felt great about where I'm going with standup comedy. The last couple years, I think since 2010 or 2012, I've been asked to do some rock festivals and metal festivals. I would bring a guitarist in a band with me and just mutilate the place, because it's so in my wheelhouse. I know that world. I grew up with that world. Mixing the comedy with the music – I used to do that back in the late '90s, early 2000s. I would tour with a band and I would mix in the comedy with it. Now when I went out on these tours, I went, “Oh my gosh, if these guys just had a record, I'd probably kill 10-times harder if they knew what I was doing before it came out.” I was definitely inspired by that.
IF YOU GO
WHAT Jim Breuer stand-up comedy
WHEN 9 p.m. Friday, July 29
WHERE Dover Downs Hotel & Casino (in Rollins Center), 1131 N. Dupont Highway, Dover
COST $35 to $55
INFO Visit doverdowns.com or call 674-4600