Comedian Performs in DC

Photo by Samuel Primero.

By Broadside Staff Writer Kyle Ridley

While last year’s writers strike brought much of Hollywood to a standstill, it brought comedian Aisha Tyler to a stand-up comedy special. The former Friends guest star had cut back on live performing to pursue acting and used the strike to craft material for her return to the stage.

“It’s definitely been my first love,” said Tyler, 38. “It’s been great that I’ve had the opportunity to focus more on it.”

Tyler’s focus paid off in February when Comedy Central premiered her one-hour special, “Aisha Tyler is Lit: Live at the Fillmore,” filmed in her hometown of San Francisco, Calif. The special was released on DVD the next week.

Tyler, touring in support of “Lit,” plays Washington, D.C. for the first time next week for six shows at the The DC Improv Comedy Club.

“I’m excited to get up there,” Tyler said of playing live again. “The immediate kind of engagement that you get when you go up on stage with an audience . . . it’s so energizing.”

While the former Talk Soup host considers Richard Pryor and Whoopi Goldberg comedic inspirations, it was not until she attended Dartmouth College that she considered a career in entertainment.

“I didn’t understand that comedy was a job,” she said, adding that it was “like being the tooth fairy.”

Raised in an academically driven family, Tyler graduated from Dartmouth with a degree in political science and surprised her parents by announcing plans to pursue comedy.

“It’s not the morning your parents dream of,” she said.

Fortunately, any negative thoughts were kept under wraps as Tyler’s parents encouraged her to fulfill her dreams. She considers them the “most rocking-est, go-for-it people,” and said she has never feared failure because of their support.

“I’m insanely competitive . . . I had to be the funniest person in the room,” she said. “Just get on my side or get the hell out of my way.”

Tyler’s fearless determination has helped her earn the respect of fellow comedians and a solid fan base.

“I’ve always been used to being an outsider and I think that just made me a balls-out girl,” she said. “I’m gonna get up there and be as funny as I possibly can be.”
However, Tyler said that she will not do anything for a laugh and does not want to “shock for the sake of shock.”

“I talk about what’s happened in my life and it’s personal but it’s not TMZ style,” she said. “I just try to tell the truth . . . be as honest as I can about real life.”

Although Tyler has paved the way in becoming the first female host of E!’s Talk Soup and the first African-American with a recurring role on NBC’s Friends, she said her goal has always been to attract a diverse crowd and make everyone laugh.

“I knew I had quote unquote made it when a huge bachelor party came to my show and not one of them asked me to take off my top,” she said.

Off stage, Tyler continues to expand her acting portfolio in all genres. She has appeared on Curb Your Enthusiasm, Reno 911, CSI and 24, and explained the natural shift from comedy to drama.

“Comedians can be good at dramatic work because we’re so accustomed to exposing our insecurities,” she said. “So many interesting, great actors have come out of comedy.”

Tyler noted how Tom Hanks is often labeled as an intense performer despite starting out in comedies such as Bosom Buddies and Bachelor Party.
“People forget he used to run around with fake boobs on,” said Tyler.

Tyler said she plans to continue choosing challenging projects and explained how she enjoys waking up with a “puke-like” sensation when knowing something difficult awaits.

“I like that gut-type feeling of ‘this is gonna be hard,’” she said.

This summer the versatile actress stars alongside Laurence Fishburne in the New Orleans crime drama Black Water Transit. She also has a TV pilot in the works and another comedy special slated for the end of the year.

Do not worry about Tyler burning the candle at both ends. The feisty funny lady said she prefers keeping a full plate and that her fans make up for any bumps in the road.

“I’m not a big complainer, said Tyler. “I love what I do and feel lucky to be doing it. Right now, I’m just enjoying the ride.”

WANT TO GO?
WHAT’S UP: Comedian Aisha Tyler performs
WHEN: Apr. 8-9 at 8:30 p.m. and April 10-11 at 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
WHERE: The DC Improv Comedy Club- 1140 Connecticut Ave N.W. Washington, D.C. 20036
TICKETS: $15-$17, Minimum age for all shows is 18.
INFO: www.dcimprov.com