I first learned about Jim Florentine from his work on Comedy Central’s Crank Yankers; his “Special Ed” character went further mainstream beyond the series through collaborations with Eminem. Around the same time, I started noticing Jim on television more, making appearances on The Howard Stern Show, the criminally-underrated Tough Crowd With Colin Quinn, and various HBO shows.
Fast forwarding a few years, Jim began co-hosting That Metal Show on VH1 Classic in 2008, which recently wrapped its 14th season. His recent appearance on Louie was so well-received that the show’s producers submitted it for an “Outstanding Guest Actor” Emmy nomination. His podcast, Comedy Metal Midgets, regularly charts in the Top 20 of iTunes Comedy podcasts. He has released a few stand-up albums through Metal Blade Records, the label which discovered The Goo Goo Dolls and Gwar. He will be featured on the upcoming season of Inside Amy Schumer. In reading all of those credits, Jim is clearly respected by his peers, while also able to pursue projects that he is interested in.
One thing I especially enjoy about Jim Florentine is his raw honesty. He explicitly tells you the things that annoy him, and is able to explain why that is. To put it politely, CrossFit is on that list of intense dislikes, and a third podcast about CrossFit is said to currently be in the works. Whether you know primarily know him as a stand-up comic, actor, podcaster or TV host, Jim’s work ethic is also admirable, and the fact that he is a later-in-life success is both inspiring and interesting.
There are no announced New York City area appearances on the agenda for Jim at this time, so keep checking his official website for updates.
Photo: Courtesy of jimflorentine.com
Given all the titles and roles you have, do you primarily identify as a comedian? Or more as an actor?
Jim Florentine: A creep first, then a comedian, then an actor.
Who or what was it that made you want to get into comedy in the first place?
J: I watched the movie Office Space and knew that the last thing I wanted was a cubicle job.
Your Comedy Metal Midgets podcast is generally formatted as a rant-heavy monologue. How did you come up with that format, as opposed to the common format of celebrity interviews?
J: It’s really about just being lazy and not scheduling and doing interviews. With my format I just turn the mic on and go.
Most of your success has come within the past 10 years, yet you have been a comic since the early 1990s. Are you glad that your success came to you a little later on?
J: I wish it came earlier. It was a tough struggle for a long time.
How does a day on the road doing stand-up nowadays compare to life on the road 10 years ago?
J: Nothing different, really. My main focus on the road is giving a good show at night and try to avoid eating at an Applebee’s.
What is it that kept you going when times were tough in the early part of your career?
J: I had nothing to fall back on. I was a landscaper before this and I knew I wasn’t going to go back to being the weed-whacker guy.
Do you have an accomplishment that you’re most proud of?
J: Going on the Howard Stern Show for the first time. He was a huge influence on me growing up.
Are there particular tools or apps that you rely on for your creative process?
J: Just the Notes [app] on my iPhone and the voice memo to record all my shows so I can listen back to them.
Is there a medium you haven’t yet worked in which you eventually hope to? Have you ever thought about writing a book?
J: I am currently in the middle of writing a book. It’s based on my podcast rants and will be out hopefully by the end of the year.
When you’re not working, what do you like to do with your time?
J: Hang with my five-year old son Luke. He’s the funniest person I know.
Finally, Jim, any last words for the kids?
J: No.
Check out some of the best moments from That Metal Show here:
-by Darren Paltrowitz
