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A break from reality: Downey's got talent
By John Benson
For years, comedian Kevin Downey Jr. swore he’d never take his comedy down the reality-television route. Then he received a phone call from the folks at “America’s Got Talent” and, well, that’s exactly where he found himself in the summer of 2013.
“They contacted me and said, ‘Hey, we’re looking for comics who do one-liners. Do you want to be on TV?” Downey said. “I told them, ‘Yeah, I want to be on TV. Let’s do it.’ It was that easy.
“Most people just sort of have to claw their way in, but the [show producers] sort of know what they’re looking for as far as comedy goes. You can’t do story jokes or you’ll never survive on that show. They just went out looking for comics who do a lot of one-liners, and I do a bunch.”
Downey’s “America’s Got Talent” performances took place in Las Vegas and the first live round at Radio City Music Hall. It was during the latter that he didn’t make the cut, but looking back on it, the comic has no regrets.
“It was more fun than anything I’ve ever done,’ Downey said. “Without a doubt, it was a hoot. It was scary, live TV. It was also delicious. It was always my biggest fear doing a live TV show to win a contest where people throw you off. Now it’s like if I can do this, nothing else is scary.”
Taking a glass-half-full approach, Downey said he went farther than he expected. Also, watching the entire process he was able to see the producers favored some acts more than others. For example, before performing, the show didn’t air his backstory. Also, they ended up cutting his one joke in half.
“That’s when I said, ‘OK, I see what they’re doing,’” Downey said. “They have the people they want to advance, and then they’ll have the people they don’t care if they advance. If they put four comics on, they know at least one or two will advance.”
The funnyman isn’t sure he’ll appear on any future reality shows, such as “Last Comic Standing,” but for the time being, he’s content being a sidekick on morning radio show Mulrooney in the Morning heard on iheart.com.
“I’m going to wait and see where this goes,” Downey said. “So far, doing morning radio has helped in that I have to be funny four hours a day starting at 6 a.m. It really sharpens the comedy skills.”
Those comedy skills come in handy when Downey tours. This includes memorable gigs in Youngstown. Take for instance the White Trash Christmas Bash that took place two years ago.
“It was awesome,” Downey said. “It was a great night for comedy and a great night for drinking.”
Downey returns to the area for shows Friday and Saturday at the Comedy Cellar at Mojo’s Pub in Austintown.