Steel Notes Magazine
www.steelnotesmagazine.com
An Interview with Comedy's
New Father Figure
Roy Wood,
Jr.
By: Scott Saxon
Hailing from Birmingham, AL. Roy started his
comedy career in 1999 at the age of 19 while at-
tending Florida A&M University. Roy’s comedy
crosses all races and cultural lines which has
allowed Roy to work with an array of come-
dians ranging from D.L. Hughley, Ron White,
Monique, Tommy Davidson, Bill Engvall, and
Sheryl Underwood. This same versatility also
gives him the ability to perform in clubs as well
as numerous colleges and universities across the
country. Roy is now known for his contributions of writ-
ing and acting on Comedy Central's longtime
hit staple "The Daily Show" where he helps
break new ground nightly.
In 2002, Roy earned a slot as one of ten national
finalists in Comedy Central’s Laugh Riots com-
petition in Los Angeles. In March 2003, Roy was
selected for Star Search on CBS where he ad-
vanced to the semi-finals. He has also appeared
on It’s Showtime at the Apollo, Live in Holly-
wood and the 2005 season of Comedy Central’s
Premium Blend and BET’s Comic View. Here are a few questions Roy was kind enough
to answer for Steel Notes.
Roy has previously recorded two nationally
released prank call CD’s 2003's My Momma
Made Me Wear This and 2005's Confessions of
a High School Bench Warmer. His third release
entitled I’ll Slap You to Sleep! is a collection of
new prank phone calls and recorded stand up
that was released in stores December 4th. Roy’s
prank calls are heard on over 35 broadcast sta-
tions across the country and 10 internet stations.
Last year Roy appeared on the Bob and Tom Ra-
dio Show: The Comedy Tour a one hour special
which aired on Comedy Central in September.
Roy made his network television debut on Late
Night with David Letterman.
In February 2008, Roy appeared on HBO’s Def
Comedy Jam.
His new special "Father Figure" is a new come-
dic standard bearer.
His work is mostly clean, but his make no
mistakes, Roy's observations are razor sharp
and biting.
Scott: Hi, Roy...At what age did Stand Up
become interesting to you? Were you always the
'Funny' one?
Roy: It caught my eye in the early 90's with the
signing on of Comedy Central. I was always
curious about stand-up. Sinbad, Chris Rock, &
Redd Foxx were staples of my parents. It wasn’t
until college that I got over stage fright and
decided to get on stage.
Scott: Who were your influences, both large
scale and locally?
Roy: I get my work ethic from my parents. In
a larger sense I always enjoyed the comedy of
Chris Rock, Doug Stanhope, & George Carlin.
Scott: What can you say about your CD's..The
Prank Call CD's..My Mama Made Me Wear
This, Co nfessions of a Bench Warmer, and then
the amazing "I'll Slap You To Sleep", and your
newest...."Father Figure"?
Steel Notes Magazine
www.steelnotesmagazine.com
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