Cleveland comedian shatters expectations

March 7, 2013 at 12:05a.m.

Comedian L.A. Hardy has an idea that’s going to take him straight to the top. It’s a sitcom pitch he’s hoping Hollywood buys. Basically, he’s Black Dad, which is based on his onstage persona.

“It’s great to be one because there are no expectations,” said L.A. Hardy (real name Lawrence A. Hardy), calling from Florida. “No one expects there to be one. I’m playing into the stereotype to start with, but Black Dad is not a stereotype. He’s the antithesis of it. He’s a responsible, stay-at-home dad who lives with his wife and kids. He’s a man with heart, integrity and responsibility raising his kids who are with the woman he’s married to. Who does that anymore?”

Billed as a performer with all of the “flava,” Cleveland native and touring stand-up comedian Hardy, who comes to the Funny Farm in Austintown this weekend, is a busy man.

When he’s not touring the country with his stand-up comedy or acting in television (“According to Jim”), film (“Guess Who”), music videos (Bowling for Soup’s “1985”) and commercials (Capital One Credit Card, Blimpie, Sears), he’s at home taking care of his kids.

Up next for Hardy, aside from his sitcom pitch, is hopefully a guest spot on late-night television.

“Right now I’m looking forward to doing ‘Conan’ and/or ‘The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson’ this year,” Hardy said. “I’d say right now the odds are like 70 percent.”

Hardy said he’s ready to make his Youngstown return.

“It’s been a long time, probably 15 years,” Hardy said.