Steel Notes Magazine
Spring 2017
Roy: I think those CDs all have special places in my heart because
they all represent different time periords in my life. Early on I only
did prank calls because I could sell the CDs after my shows. It was
about survival, those first two albums represent survival. jokes. The promoter brings me on stage and I had to do THIRTY
minutes because the other acts were running late. It was the most
awkward thing EVER!!! a 20 year old kind entertaining a room
full of 50+ yr old black people.
Father Figure represents a culmination of almost two decades of
learning. It’s my graduation paper. My comedy Thesis statement. Scott: What are your new goals? You have been very successful so
far in a few fields...what can your fans expect to see you conquer
next?
Scott:Is there any-
thing you wish you
could go back and
change?
Roy: I’m just intent on
being a better correspon-
dent on the Daily Show.
If I can do a few sketches
here and there then that’s
cool but ultimately.
Roy: No, nothing I'd
wish to change.
Scott : You are
extremely popular
on The Daily Show...
behind the scenes
as a Writer, and in
front of the cam-
era as a Performer.
Which do you enjoy
more?
Would you accept
the chance to host
your own show?
Roy: Behind the
scenes, I’m not
writing anything alone. It’s all a collaborative process. The entire
show is a big ass collaboration and this is the first time I’ve been
a part of that so it’s been exciting to experience this. In a sitcom,
they write the scripts weeks before you see them, and in stand-up
its you alone , but at the daily show it’s a group project every day.
Going on a creative journey with someone and discovering all the
funny twists and turns in a story is amazing.
Scott : Do you feel pressure to be 'On' in front of your friends and
family?
Roy: Never. If anything I’m low key, off stage. My friends and
family are cool but generally people meeting me for the first time
think I’m goig to be on. I take pride in lowering their expecta-
tions. LOL.
Scott: Can you share an experience where you could not reach an
audience or just bombed?
How do you deal with it?
Roy: I feel like there were a few times in my life where I’ve done
rooms that just SUUUUCCCKKKK. One time early on when I
was less than a year into comedy I had a TOTAL of 10 minutes of
40
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Scott: Do you have any
hobbies or interests that
might surprise your fans?
Roy: Puzzles. I really dig
Jigsaw puzzles. They’re
peaceful and relaxing.
Scott: If comedy had not
worked out, what would
have been your ideal job?
Roy: Sports Broadcaster
. Stuart Scott was one
of my idols growing up.
He’s one of the reason I
majored in Journalism. He cracked jokes about sports, we did that
everyday at the cafeteria. So I wanted to do that.
Also Firefighting was cool to me.
Scott: What advice would you give people starting out in Stand
Up, about Bombing, Finding their voice, etc. ?
Roy: Record yourself as often as you can. There is no bad set. You
have to video yourself as much as we hate to watch it. We must do
it. Its how we get better.
Scott: Are you a Vinyl guy, or just CD?
Roy: Just CDs and such. Not big on vinyl. I do collect them but I
don’t play them.
Scott: Thanks, Roy!!!
Check out Roy's Web Page for
dates, info, and merch!
www.roywoodjr.com