This interview first appeared online in Philly City Paper September 18th, 2007
Jimmy Pardo’s quick wit has been showcased on his own Comedy Central special, as host of National Lampoon’s Funny Money and on his podcast, Never Not Funny. And while after a show most comic’s are thinking about how many CDs they’re selling, Pardo’s got his mind on his newborn son. “I’m not thrilled about going away, but, hell, parents have to deal with it all the time,” he says. “The only difference with me is I make my living talking about my genitals.”
Prior to the birth of your child, did you take any measures to increase its intellect, such as playing Mozart for it?
Not only did we not take any measure to increase intellect, we were under the impression that he was going to be a girl, so we spent the entire time talking to him about all the exciting “girl” things he’d be doing one day. So already he’s going to be messed up. And if adults think Mozart is boring, what the hell is a fetus going to think?
What would playing some of your favorite music, like Kiss and Chicago, do to the baby?
I think it will get him ready for the real world, where sometimes things that people think suck actually do not.
You were actually in the music industry.
Yeah, I started working in record stores in my senior year of High School, as a part-timer up to manager. When I was managing a small store in Naperville, IL, the branch manager from MCA Chicago came in to see a GRP Records display I put up and was impressed with my knowledge and passion for music. He offered me a job.
You must have been the youngest record exec there.
Yes, I was 22 years old. The next youngest was probably 27 and had worked his way up “from the mailroom” as they say. The guys that were passed up for the job did not care for my being there. In hindsight, I don’t blame them. The truth is, I would have preferred their jobs. Being a sales rep with quotas and such took the fun out of it.
What do you think of children performing stand up?
I think it’s cute at a grade school talent show, otherwise I think it’s creepy. I think having your kid do stand-up in an adult environment is at the top of the a-hole “stage parents” list.
Having performed for as long as you have, what are some of the more memorable gimmicks that you’ve seen stand-ups use?
There was a guy in Chicago would bill himself as “The Shark-Man Of Comedy”. He would introduce the bit by saying that guys are sharks in nightclubs and put his hand upright on his head to simulate a shark fin. He then would follow girls around after the show with the “fin up” and try to get laid. I think it worked more than it didn’t.
How do you feel about the world that you’ve brought your son into?
I actually wish we could go back a few decades and he could have a world where he had to think, imagine and create. In this day and age, it’s all done for you. I’ll make sure this kid doesn’t see a television until he’s 14. And I mean an actual T.V. set; I will always turn his back to the set as we walk past it.
Will you not even let him see your television appearances?
Are you kidding? In 5 years I picture myself sitting in a beanbag chair forcing my son to watch all of Daddy’s TV appearances and saying “There was a time when Daddy was pseudo famous.”
What do you think will be the biggest obstacles facing him as an adult?
The electing of any human with the last name Bush. Oh and dealing with a short Dad with little to no parenting skills.
Are you already on the waiting list for a pre-school?
No, but we are on a wait list for Playstation 32, which I realize contradicts some previous answers.
How will having a son impact your performances and your crowd work?
I can’t see how it would except that I may add “Well my son…” before everything I say. That, and my shows will be shorter so I can get home to him quicker!
Was there a debate in the Pardo household about whether or not you should be going on the road so soon after the birth?
There was never a debate. I took off 2 months and then the little guy was 10 days late. I’m not that thrilled about going away, but, Hell, parents have to deal with it all the time. The only difference with me is I make my living talking about my genitals.
