Brad Garrett Life after ‘Raymond’

By John Benson

entertainment@vindy.com

CLEVELAND

111 After growing up just north of Los Angeles, the 6-foot-8 comedian landed on “Star Search,” where he won $100,000 and earned a shot at performing on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” at the young age of 23. From there, Garrett quickly rose up the comedy chain opening for such heavyweight artists as Diana Ross, Liza Minnelli, Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. In fact, he spent two years opening for Sinatra and was the last opener for Davis before he passed away.

Today, Garrett is keeping all of his options open. When he’s not entering the “World Series of Poker,” the funnyman is appearing on television (new TBS show “Glory Daze”) and providing voiceover work in film (new Disney animated movie “Tangled”). The 50-year-old is also going back to his roots, touring the nation as a comedian. The Vindicator talked to Garrett about his long-awaited return to Cleveland this weekend at Hilarities 4th Street Theatre, his legendary Rock Hall City memory regarding taking an entire audience to White Castle and why “Everybody Loves Raymond” fans better be ready for an uncensored Robert.

Q. First of all, when is the last time you played a show in Cleveland?

A. I used to play Cleveland a lot at a place called It’s Comedy on Pearl Road. Cleveland was such an amazingly supportive town for me in my days of stand-up. I made the papers one night. It was a late show on a Saturday night, an amazing crowd and I was out there doing my crazy stuff. So I ended up taking all 201 people in the audience across the street — across Pearl Road, which is not a great idea on a Saturday night — to White Castle. I bought sliders for the crowd, finished my act sitting in White Castle. I think we all had a little too much (to drink) that night. The police actually came out and said, “You’re really, really nice, but you’re close to disturbing the peace.” And I said, “Well, I’m working on my act.” They said, “You have to keep it down to a dull roar.” Those are my fun times on the road.

Q. Considering 4th Street in Cleveland is sort of pricey, for your upcoming shows you may want to have White Castle brought in.

A. (Laughs) That’s a good idea. I just may do that.

Q. At the Hilarities website promoting your show it says, “Not For The Easily Offended.” Is that the title of your current tour?

A. No, the name of the tour is “I’m sorry.” No, people who aren’t really familiar with my stand-up, they come out and expect to see Robert. They expect it to be a persona from “Raymond” because a lot of people don’t know that I’ve done stand-up. So as I’m touring, we just want to make sure people know it’s an R-rated show. It’s explicit. I talk about everything. I’m very candid about relationships, male and female dynamics and sex. I roast the crowd a lot. So there’s a lot of improv and audience-oriented type of stuff. I touch on everything. There’s nothing really taboo for me.

Q. Speaking of adult material, have you seen your former cast mate Ray Romano’s new show “Men of a Certain Age?”

A. It’s such a great show. I’m so proud and happy for him. He works so hard. It’s such a great example of really turning it around and doing something totally out of his wheelhouse and doing it so well. It’s a very, very difficult thing to do. I’m a fan of the show. It’s based in reality, which is what I love.

Q. Finally, can you imagine what Robert would have to say about his brother Ray’s exploits in “Men of a Certain Age”?

A. (Lowers his voice to Robert level) You’re never going to get (expletive), Raymond. You’re never going to get (expletive).