Interview with actor/comedian Chuck Burks

Chuck Burks is a hilarious and smart NYC-area actor /comedian appearing here at The Laff House this weekend for five shows April 2 and 3rd as the feature act before headliner Thea Vidale. He has appeared in many national commercials, TV shows and even made a brief but memorable appearance in rapper 50 Cent's popular movie "Get Rich Or Die Tryin'." Let’s go on a mission to find out more about him.

Q: You were featured on an incredible episode of the TLC reality show "Guess Who's
Coming Over?" The plot centered on you moving in with a classic "redneck"-type family
from Georgia, and then the Dad of that clan (no pun attended) came to visit and stay with you and your family in NYC. Watching that episode at times made me crack up, and other times it was very touching and serious as more sensitive areas of racism were covered. How did you get involved with that show and what are your memories of doing it?

A: It was an audition and I was chosen for my points of view on comedy. A lot of my
comedy deals with being the only Black person around a lot of white people and how I
survived going to Prep School while living in the inner city.

Q; Seeing your beautiful family (wife and two kids) on the TLC show made me think
about how you discuss in your comedy act that your son is "special needs." How is he doing and how does it help you connect with the audience to discuss personal aspects of your life on stage?

A: My son was diagnosed with Autism, mainly speech delay, but I think my wife and I have the "special needs." We especially need a break! I talk about my experiences with raising my son as a way to bring awareness to Autism and sympathize with other people who deal with it on a daily basis. Also to warn people who are having children on ways to prevent having to deal with this epidemic as it effects 1 in 100 children.

Q: Tell us about your recent new project "Hope." Is that a TV show or movie, and
where and how can we catch it?

A: "Hope" is a short film I shot at the inauguration of Obama. I play a dad to a son who refuses to talk after his mother's death and runs away from New York to DC without ever talking to anyone and only $35. The trailer can be seen at http://www.hope-themovie.com/ . It's for sale and is currently making film festival runs.

Q: How do you feel about the Laff House and coming to perform in Philly? What are
your opinions of our city, good and/or bad?

A: I love the Laff House. It was the first comedy club to let me feature with my big brother in comedy Alonzo "Hamburger" Jones. It's black-owned and they nurture the local talent in a way that no other club does. The city is old, and the people that come out love to laugh, but somebody has to do something about those 6th graders out on South Street at midnight. Philly need better parents. You shouldn't be 12-years old with piercings and stretch marks pushing a baby carriage out at 2 in the morning eating a slice of pizza on Tuesday!

Q: There are some great credits on your acting resume. Which do you prefer, acting or
doing stand-up? Or do you feel both are cool and there really is no preference?

A: I am an actor first but stand up has made me a better actor. I have become more
spontaneous and brave to push the limit in my acting. My biggest challenge has been trying to incorporate more of my acting in stand up. I also write and that has helped me to be creative in both areas. I wrote for the "Chappelle" show, the sketch called "Blackzilla" in the first season. I only got that because I had a comedy manager who knew Dave and other people at Comedy Central.

Q: Tell us about your brief but brilliant involvement with the 50 Cent movie "Get Rich Or Die Tryin'." You've also tied it in cleverly to your stand-up routine, both as a funny bit and as a way for the audience to give you props.

A: I am proud of my involvement in that film. I just wish more people had seen it and not bootlegged it. 50's album went platinum, but the movie went plastic. I don't like using my credits to get props but the material I developed about my experience was classic. Here I was, a new up-and-coming actor/writer/comedian, standing next to a multi-platinum gun shot surviving millionaire. And people ask me, what did we talk about? We have nothing in common! He was very cool and professional, and it was his first movie. He admitted that he respects the craft.

Q: That's too cool that you were also on an episode of "The Sopranos." How did that
come about and what was the experience like working on such an esteemed program?

A: I credit all my accomplishments to God and putting me in the right place at the right time. My manager got me the audition and I booked it. By far it was the best on-set experience I ever had. It felt like family, from the actors to the people who served food. Absolutely NO EGOS, which was very respectable.

Q: You've also appeared in numerous national TV commercials. Is it true that actors
make more money from these spots than from regular acting roles?

A: It used to be you could earn a good living doing commercials, but now they don't run as long unless you get a good one or you're the Verizon guy.

Q: What new projects in acting and or stand-up do you have going on now?

A: I just directed an episode of a comedy web series called "On The Stoop" featured on Youtube. I directed episode #7. I also wrote my own sitcom pilot called "So Help Us God Amen." I want to finish my one man show which incorporates my acting and stand up. It's about raising awareness to Autism it will be called "OXIDATIVE STRESS!" I expect it to be done in 2010.

Q: How do handle the various and sundry negatives that occur in the quest for show
business success? What are some adversities or disses you faced from doing auditions,
talent nights or even general haters?

A. I am like everybody else-- I'm human, and I forget sometimes that it is a business. So I tend to take things personally when things don't go my way. However I remember to focus on the craft of stand up and just try and be better than I was the last time I touched the mic. I also know that God will open that door when He feels I am ready. Until then I keep knockin'!

-End-

For more info on Chuck Burks check him out at www.myspace.com/chuckburks and www.facebook.com/thechuckburks

Interview by Danny Ozark (DJ at The Laff House and a comedian who co-hosts "Laff Away Thursdays" with Damon D every week here at the club). For more info check him out at www.myspace.com/dannyozark and www.facebook.com/dannyozark

What A Week!

What a fantastic week for the Laff House! We would like to thank everyone who came out to one of the many great shows we had. For those of you who missed it, here's our week in review:

Wednesday: Our New Comics Corner turned out to be one of the best we've had! The legendary Wid hosted a full room with Philly's best local acts, with guests who were practically falling off their seats with laughter. Kudos to the many comics such as Chill Rell and Pretty Smiles who came and knocked em' dead.

Thursday: Another packed house on Laff Away Thursdays with a veteran of the Philly comic scene as well as a Laff House Favorite, Denny Live! Denny has made a name for himself over the years by being featured on BET's Coming to the Stage, Comicview, and Diddy's Bad Boys of Comedy. Denny came to the Laff House this week to film his new comedy special for MTV. Congrats, Denny! (Be sure to check out Laff Away Thursdays, hosted by Damon D and Danny Ozark. Thursdays at 8 PM.)

Friday: Denny Live was only one of the filming shoots we had this week at the Laff House. Lawrence Killebrew, host of our extremely popular "Tickle Me Tuesdays" (held one Tuesday of the month), Brought some of his favorite comics for a live filming for his new DVD special, "Next to the Mic". Lawrence, Haliyah Robinson, Derek Gaines, John Moses, and Keith from Up the Block performed for two unbelievable shows with a packed house that was cracking up. A big congrats to all of them for filming their DVD! (Check our website calendar to see when Lawrence will be hosting at the Laff House next.)

Saturday: Lawrence and his crew returned for the second night of taping of his "Next to the Mic" DVD special. To our surprise, our very good friend and writer for The Tonight Show with Conan O'brien, Deon Cole stopped by for an unexpected visit. Deon is currently one of the most popular comics in the club and college circuit as well as The Tonight Show's very first and only African American writer. Deon was in the area for a show and decided to pop in and ask for some time on stage. So naturally, we said "Absolutely!" A big thanks and congrats to Deon for being a Laff House legend!

You never know what will happen at the Laff House. From comedy special tapings of our favorite comics to surprise visits from comedy legends, we certainly know how to throw a show! Who knows what will happen next week! Be sure to check our website for upcoming comedians, or follow us on Facebook or Twitter!

This Week: Be sure to come see comedian superstar Thea Vidale, April 2nd and 3rd! Tickets are selling fast, so be sure to get yours soon on our website or by phone!

Danny Ozark: Intro + Info

Hey...my name is Danny Ozark-- a stand-up comedian from Philly. Seven years ago in 2003 I got my start in comedy at the weekly Open Mic then held on Wednesdays at The Laff House. I was so scared but excited to be finally be doing comedy (which I had always wanted to do). Back then I never would have dreamed that I would have advanced to the point now where I have the honor of co-hosting a show (with my buddy comedian Damon D) every Thursday night at The Laff House called "Laff Away Thursday." This show has become so hot it's sick. We consistently have a real diverse line-up starring a national headliner (usually a comic with TV credits from HBO, BET aka TV ONE and of course Comedy Central) and featuring a great supporting line-up of the best local talent (including vets and the best of the newer heads). Last night we had an incredible audience at the club to see a slammin' line-up of comics. Everybody rocked it, especially headliner DENNY LIVE (of BET's "Comic View"), plus LAWRENCE KILLEBREW (from Jamie Foxx's Laffapalooza) , CHIP CHANTRY (from the upcoming season of NBC's "Last Comic Standing"), TOMMY PAPA and D-SMOOTH. I hosted and tried some comedy that was well-received-- though somewhat intense-- for me to go with since it dealt with tough subjects like the recent flash mobs in Philly plus the racially insensitive incidents that occured at a New Jersey Wal-Mart recently. But the fact that the audience dug my stuff was really gratifying since they seemed to appreciate me discussing current events and the stuff that's really on everybody's minds. Anyway, I gotta bounce and head to the club now because on Friday and Saturday nights I am the full-time DJ at the club. I play the music before and in-between shows, and also the music you hear when comics come on and off the stage. It's a lot of fun and I get to see the best comedians on a weekly basis. If you want to learn more about me please feel free to connect with me at www.facebook.com/dannyozark and www.myspace.com/dannyozark. I also have some vids on http://www.youtube.com/ you can check out-- just do a search on my name. My next blog post is gonna be a recent interview I did with comedian Chuck Burks-- he's coming back to the club real soon. Hope to see you at the club too soon.

Winter is Over!

That's right, everyone. After months of miserable, depression-inducing grey skies and under-budgeted snow plowing, the birds are starting to chirp, the snow is gone, and south street is showing signs of survival. And nobody is more prepared for the return of spring than the Laff House comedy club.

What better way to kick start your return to a better mood than laughing yourself silly to Philly's best in comedic talent? Whatever type of humor you may have, the Laff House books comedians from all genre's, ranging from the finest local talent that Philadelphia has to offer, to the countries funniest national headliners. Stop by Tuesday through Saturday for one of our hilarious shows, great food, and specialty drinks; all of which will assure you a spectacular evening of entertainment!

Here's what our schedule looks like:

Tuesday's - Tickle Me Tuesday

Can't wait for the weekend? Come to the Laff House to blow off some steam and see a Hilarious show with the area's best in local talent, hosted by Lawrence Killbrew. (Note: "Tickle Me Tuesday" is only available one Tuesday of the month. Please visit our show time calendar on our website for specific show times and dates.)

Wednesday - New Comics Corner

Are you a comedian? Think you're funny? Come try out your material and join us as Philly's very own legendary "Wid" hosts our open mic night with Philly's brand spankin' new talent as well as Philly's comic veteran's. (Note: If you would like to perform on New Comics Corner, please send us a demo of your material. No walk-in's, please.)

Thursday - Laff Away Thursday

Hosted by the Laff House's very own Damon D and Danny Ozark, Laff Away Thursdays features the area's best talent, featuring stars from television, movies, and best-selling DVD's. Come see veterans of the Philadelphia comic scene as well as a hilarious headliner! (Show Time is 8:30)

Friday & Saturday - The very best in comedy is featured on Fridays and Saturdays - with national headliners, often featured in movies, TV and comedy specials from BET, Comedy Central, and HBO! A sure fire way to kick off your weekend! (Note: Friday nights feature a headlining comedian who will perform two shows on Friday and three shows on Saturday! Show times are 8 PM, 10 PM, and 12 AM.)

So come celebrate the return of Spring with us as we provide Philadelphia with the best in comedic talent, Caribbean cuisine (provided by the Blue Banana Cafe'), and great specialty drinks!

For more information such as ticket purchasing, prices, upcoming comedians, and show times, visit us on our website (Laffhouse.com) or follow us on Twitter and Facebook!

Congrats to Deon Cole

Congrats to Deon Cole. He's featured on the cover of Humor Mill Magazine this month (March). Great article. Deon is a Laff House favorite. He even graced the stage for an unscheduled visit on Thursday, Feb 25th. Deon is receiving much deserved acknowledgement for his latest gig as a writer for the Tonight Show. His skits have bought a new "flavor" to the late night talk show. Kudos to Conan O'Brien for his vision in choosing Deon to SPICE things up in late night! We're looking forward to him returning to network TV.

Sherri Sinclair is hilarious !!!

This weekend, March 12 and 13 Sherri Sinclair and Richie Redding are bringing the house down with laughter. Even though the weather is horrible there's still a lively crowd enjoying the show.