Prop comedian
Gallagher performs at Knuckleheads tonight. Last time he was in town, there was a
little bit of a kerfuffle. We caught up with him earlier this week and asked him about what his favorite foods to smash are, and why he's a comedy outsider.
What's been your impression of Kansas City touring here in the past? Do you think your material tends to go over better in the Midwest?
I like Kansas City. I have been all over, even overseas, and the Midwest I have the most fun in. Yes, you can get away with a lot more in the Midwest....they are my favorite audience. People are more free, personable and very relaxed which makes the experience that much better.
I get the sense from reading other interviews with you that you feel like a bit of an outsider in the current comedy landscape. Why do you feel that way, and why do you think that is?
I've been doing this since I was 27 and now I'm 64. I have worked everywhere. Nothing is normal. And I'm basically working my way down to the bottom of the barrel. Because I'm not as famous as I was anymore. People think they've already seen me, and there's no need to see me now. Although they're wrong. I'm better than I ever was. I've paid attention to my art form and gotten good at it. And I've got new jokes because I'm at my show and I don't want to be bored.
You talk a lot about race and gender in your act, in a way some people have called insensitive. I'm assuming you disagree. Why do you think people are offended by your material? Should they be?
I don't think anyone should be offended. I talk about everything and everyone, including myself. Life itself is funny, I just put a spin on it.
Are there certain kinds of fruit and vegetables that smash better than other ones? Do you like watermelons the best because they're the biggest?
Well, my favorite thing to smack is mustard. It's messy and a bright color that you can see fly. I do love to invent new pies that have a gooey outside with maybe corn inside for the shrapnel.
It was reported that you were dissatisfied with your last show here -- not with the city, but with the venue and promoters? And that you did not want people drinking during your performance? Care to elaborate?
I just like for the whole audience to enjoy the show and hear the performance they paid for. When you have people in the front row constantly talking mixed with drinking it is very distracting for me and the fans around them. I love my fans and want to give them the best show possible. As for Kansas City and the venue, I believe it was Stanford and Sons. The shows sold well and the audience was good.
Don't you really hate tattoos? Could you talk about that?
If you want tattoos -- go for it! I do think some just don't make sense....I do have a joke for that in my show, you should come to hear it!
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Gallagher, tonight (Friday) at Knuckleheads. 8 pm. More info
here.
