Today's Top Picks
Click a day to view events
Search for things to do
- Events
- Movies
- Dining
- Venues
Local Entertainment News
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
| Frank Caliendo is living the comedian’s TV dream | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| By Kelly Wilson, Get Out | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 27, 2007 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The comic, who lives in Tempe and was a cast member on Fox’s sketch-comedy show “Mad TV” for five years, can be seen on TBS’ “Frank TV,” another sketch-comedy show. “ 'Frank TV’ is sillier than 'Mad TV,’ ” Caliendo says. “It’s not as mean,” he says of the show, which features more than 50 impressions. “It’s more geared towards adults. ... We’re not aiming towards teenage boys with throwing-up jokes or running around half-naked. We’re just trying to be silly and fun and funny. Funny is the main thing.” Although most of the show’s press hasn’t been favorable, Caliendo says he tries not to let that get him down. “You tend to spend a couple minutes thinking about the good and then hours thinking about the bad, so I just gave up,” he says. Nonetheless, the comedian says he’s confident the show will return in the new year. “Nobody knows what’s going on with the writers’ strike,” he says. “Everything is kind of up in the air, but our ratings are twice what they thought they would be, so when you double what they were hoping for, that’s always a good thing.” Caliendo, who is known for his vast repertoire of impressions, from John Madden to Donald Trump, says that people tend to assume he can do any voice. “That’s totally wrong,” he says. “When I was at 'Mad TV’ and Michael Jackson was married to Debbie Rowe, they said, 'Can you do Debbie Rowe?’ I was like, 'No,’ but they threw a wig on me and I looked like Debbie Rowe, unfortunately.” And when it comes to presidential candidates, Caliendo says he waits until they’re elected before he begins working on an impression. “If I would have worked on a John Kerry three years ago, I would have wasted six months of my life,” he says. “Nobody cares about John Kerry anymore. People don’t even remember that he ran!” Caliendo will be a part of Super Bowl XLI when it comes to the Valley in February. The comedian says he’s working on three sketches for the pregame show. “I’m just trying to milk this 'Frank TV’ stuff as long as I can and make as much money as possible,” he says. FAVORITE IMPERSONATIONS George Bush: “It’s like being a little kid. It’s this confidence but at the same time, confused-ness.” Al Pacino: “My whole take on Al Pacino is that he doesn’t understand reality anymore. It’s just fun to look at a light switch and not quite understand how it works.” John Madden: “Madden is just like the Cookie Monster. It’s just fun to be Cookie Monster, eating all the time and (makes monster growl).” Charles Barkley: “It’s brand-new. People haven’t seen it as much, so their reaction on it is great.” Frank Caliendo will perform at 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 27, through Sunday, Dec. 30, with 10 p.m. shows Friday, Dec. 28, and Saturday, Dec. 29. He’ll also perform a special New Year’s Eve show 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 31, at the Tempe Improv, 930 E. University Drive. $25-$60. (480) 921-9877 or tempeimprov.com. Contact Kelly Wilson by email, or phone (480) 898-5691 |
Rate this article
© 2008 East Valley Tribune. All rights reserved.
Reader comments (0)
This site does not necessarily agree with comments posted below. Responsibility lies solely with the comment author.