Lewis Schaffer interview

I got this interview back on the 21st of August 2000, though it had been sent back to me on the 19th. Lewis Schaffer is an American comedian who came to Australia in 1999 for the Melbourne Comedy Festival.


What are your opinions of Australia?
I have to be careful here because I am OBSESSED with Australia! Let me say this: Australia is a country that cares about other's opinions of it. I doubt an American would ask "what are your opinions of the USA?" We would just assume you would love it as we do!

You also really care about how each of you is perceived by other Australians. That tall poppy thing isn't a myth. You don't like people looking at you! In the US, everyone wants to be the tall poppy! And if we aren't that tall, we'll fake it! Do you know where famous Australians live? The United States. No one notices them here. (Watch me get letters for this!) I could go on for an hour. Australia is fascinating!

What's it like to do comedy mainly in the USA?
Well, I am living in Britain now, but I still know about the USA.
Australian and British comics have complained to me that it is near impossible for them to work in the USA. Well, it's near impossible for American comics to work there, too. Competition is harsh in the USA and everyone in America wants their 15 minutes of fame. Plus, Americans are not shy about asking for it. It will not be easy for ANYONE. If you want to work in the USA, move (for as long as you can) to a mid-size city and kill to get on stage. Like Pittsburgh or Salt Lake City. New York is too competitive and LA is worse. But I am famous for giving wrong advice!

How did you find debating "Winning is not everything" last year?
I haven't seen the tape of the show, so I don't know how I went down. I do know we won, and while i forget what side i was on, winning IS everything! How American is that?

Were your team mates Greg Fleet and Tim Ferguson good to you?
Australians are very competitive and if our team had lost, I am sure I would have felt their wrath. They were very supportive. I was so impressed with them both, but especially Greg, who was a typical Aussie who before the show. He seemed to me to be imcompetent! But on the show, Fleety was close to genius. The show was a blast to do. Thank you Susan Provan and the Comedy Festival for hooking me up with that.

What was it like to tour Australia with the Melbourne Comedy Festival Roadshow last year?
I owe my manager Barry Katz and Melbourne Comedy Festival's Susan Provan a debt of gratitude for letting me see more of Australian than most Australians will ever get to see. I bombed in small cities and towns and learned what heartache is. I am using the experience to help me get over the pain of a tough Edinburgh Festival. The experience was invaluable.

What's the best thing, in your opinion, about the Internet?
Being interviewed like this, and finding out the score of the New York Mets game at 5 AM in Edinburgh.

The worst thing?
If things go well in my career, I am going to get tired of being asked questions on the internet and being emailed by people I barely know. But right now, I really love it. The Mets will start losing again, and I am going to know about it here in Britain.

What do you enjoy most about comedy?
People never cared much about what I had to say when I sold advertising space for the Pennsylvania Wine and Liquor Quarterly.

What's the most amazing thing that's ever happened to you?
Starting comedy at age 36. It was as if a black cloud had lifted on my life. I need to remember that my life is a miracle. Oh, now i am telling people I am 32.

How has your family coped with you being a comedian?
My mother has yet to get over her jealousy and is presently at the Psychiatric Emergency Floor of St. Lukes/Roosevelt Hospital at 60th Street and Columbus Avenue in Manhattan, New York. My father is very proud but also thinks it should be him up there.

Is there anything else you'd like to say?
I apologize to the people of Australia who had to see me not be funny in the many towns and cities inlcuding Elizabeth, Renmark, Denmark, Castlemaine, Frankston, and Melbourne. I hope to return some day in triumph.

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