‘The Daily Show’ writer selects Maria Bamford, David Koechner for second season of stand-up
Known for his quick wit and British charm, Oliver has won over the New York City comedy crowd, bringing in some of his favorite comedians, including Maria Bamford, Greg Behrendt and David Koechner to perform in the six-week stand-up show.
"Comedy Central used to have a lot of stand-up shows on, and a lot of the ones they had were absolutely terrible," Oliver said in a college media conference call Wednesday afternoon. "The idea in booking this ... was to make sure that we booked people who were very imaginative and ambitious in what they were doing."
Each hourlong episode of the show features four or five of Oliver's handpicked comedians, including Mike Lawrence, who has spent the last seven years working at a Miami McDonald's, breaking out of what Oliver calls a "very fatty cocoon" for the show.
Oliver, who has been writing for "The Daily Show" since 2006 and has been nominated for Emmys and Writers' Guild Awards, has developed a thick skin with his years in the industry.
"When you start, it's just pure emotional pain. All you want to do is leave the stage, ideally not to the sound of your own footsteps or the sound of a smashing glass in the background," Oliver said.
Now filling his acts with profanity, politics and not always culturally sensitive but nonetheless hilarious jokes, Oliver has become one of the city's choice up-and-coming comics.
He holds a certain edge with his sharp New York persona and accent.
"I think comedians are naturally called outsiders, wherever you're from. Whatever country you're in, you're taking an outsider view of society," Oliver said. "And I think if you sound different, it just makes that distinction even clearer."
In addition to his regular slot on "The Daily Show" and his stand-up acts, Oliver also makes guest appearances on NBC comedy series "Community." Oliver praises the prime-time sitcom as one of his comedic favorites, along with NBC's "30 Rock" and Comedy Central's "South Park."
And although Oliver has learned to balance his role with Jon Stewart, his stand-up series and his guest appearances on "Community," with a boycott against Facebook and Twitter, he has no intention to change pace and use "The Daily Show" as a leg-up in the industry.
He intends to extend his contract for the next couple of years on the Comedy Central late-night hit.
"Here's the thing. Hugh Laurie has dramatic skills, which he can choose to employ. I don't have that," Oliver said. "I think I'm going to continue to mess around as long as I can, before I start hobbling around playing a doctor."
Oliver previewed "John Oliver's New York Stand-Up Show" at South by Southwest music, film and interactive festival, and the premiere is sure to garner fans of the comedian and Comedy Central. Opening with an anecdote about a trip from New York to London, Oliver preserves his signature humor, defending his premiere jokes with a simple statement.
"Yes, I do have a beef with Germany in terms of a war history and a sports history," Oliver said.