Interview with Comedian Jim Florentine

By Mick Michaels

COSMICK VIEW: Hello, Jim! Welcome to The Cosmick View. Thank you for taking some time out of your day to chat with me, it is greatly appreciated.

CV: With so many careers to choose from, what prompted you to decide to go into comedy? Did you find yourself the life of the party growing up?

Jim Florentine: I never wanted to have a boss telling me what to do so that’s why I chose stand up.  I was never the life of the party guy and I’m glad I’m not.  Those people always make a terrible comedian onstage.  The quiet ones at the party who sit back and observe turn out to be the good comics.

CV: Comedy offers people an outlet to let down their guard and see what can be considered the lighter side of life. But as a comedian, do you see the comedy as more of a therapeutic approach specifically for the comedian themselves rather than just for the audience alone?

JF: Yes, because we get paid to get shit off our chest.  Most people have to go to Facebook to do that.

CV: Can comedy heal wounds in your opinion?

JF: Not sure about that.  Most of us are just telling dick jokes.

CV: If you weren’t in comedy, what could you see yourself doing…non show biz related?

JF: Landscaping business.

CV: You have said that your love for Rock and Metal was instrumental in giving you direction and purpose. How did that then translate to the choices you made?JF: It looked like fun being onstage and it was a way easier way to get girls.

CV: Do you feel your love for Heavy Metal has inspired your comedy on a grander scale then if you did not have such a connection to the music?

JF: Don’t think so.  Music is just an outlet for me to escape.

CV: Does being a Metalhead keep you young at heart and young in mind…finding that you are more open-minded to the differences in the world and less judgmental then possibly your contemporaries and peers who may not be fans of the Metal genre?

JF: It does keep you young at heart.  I’ve been going to shows for over 35 years now and it still never gets old.  Most people get to an age in life and where they think they can’t do the fun stuff they did when they were younger like go to a concert and let loose.  Why not?

CV: What has been your go to album for inspiration?

JF: Ozzy era Randy Rhoads albums.  Blizzard of Ozz and Diary of a Madman got me thru my tough High School years.

CV:  Does your SirusXM show title "Metal Midgets" insinuate in any way that Metal fans may not be as astute as they should be with the music and among other things? :)

JF: Nah, it’s just a silly name I came up with on the spot.  

CV: As a music show host, what’s the one album you feel every Metalhead should own and why? 

JF: AC/DC Highway to Hell…  It’s a catchy hard rock album to get someone new into the genre.  Then when they respond to that album, hit them over the head with Metallica Master of Puppets.

CV: You have discussed in great detail your extensive concert shirt collection…what are your top three favorite shirts?

JF: Black Sabbath Sabotage, AC/DC Powerage and Accept Balls to the Wall.  All iconic album covers.

CV: Any chance we could see this personal shirt collection go out on tour or displayed somewhere for fans to enjoy?  I am sure there are a number of rarities in there.

JF: Not sure there are any rarities in there.  I got rid of my old shirts years ago and then started to collect them over the last 15 years. Half of them I got at Walmart.

CV: I would assume you are asked this following question more often than you prefer, especially since the show has been off the air for a number of years. But, as a fan of both the show and of Metal, I just have to ask…any chance "That Metal Show" will come back with new episodes...even as a webcast or maybe even a SirusXM limited run?

JF: I doubt it. The network owns the show and they can do whatever they want with it including telling another network they won’t give up the rights to the show.  I can’t complain, we had a great run.

CV: You are a world renown comedian, bestselling author, popular voice-over actor and TV and satellite show host. At this moment in time, what do you consider to be the defining moment of your career?

JF: Getting to be a guest on the Howard Stern Show back in the early 2000’s.  He helped me launch my career and I’ll always be forever grateful.

CV: As a music fan, what would you like to see more new bands doing what their predecessors didn't do?

JF: Don’t play to any backing tracks.  Play live, mistakes and all.

CV: And on the reverse side of the previous question, what should today’s bands be doing more of that their predecessors did?

JF: Play longer shows live.  Most new headliners do a show for a little over an hour.

CV: Biggest fanboy moment?

JF: Meeting Ozzy for the first time.

CV: What’s next for you?

JF: Touring doing stand up.

CV: Thank you again Jim for spending some time talking and sharing with our readers. I wish you all the best and continued success.

Check out Jim at:
Official: http://www.jimflorentine.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JimFlorentine/
Podcast: http://riotcast.com/jimflorentine

Like The Cosmick View on Facebook at:
www.facebook.com/TheCosmickView   

My name is Mick Michaels...I'm an artist, music fan, songwriter, producer, dreamer and guitarist for the traditional Heavy Metal band Corners of Sanctuary. Writing has always been a creative outlet for me; what I couldn't say in speech, I was able to do with the written word.  Writing has given me a voice and a way for me to create on a multitude of platforms including music and song, articles, independent screenplays, books and now, artist interviews. The Cosmick View is an opportunity to raise the bar and showcase artists in a positive and inspirational light. For me, it's another out-of-this-world adventure.

Want to see your logo here? Contact The Cosmic View for details and rates.