Flash forward, Mo Mandel has established himself as one of the most talented and entertaining entertainers in entertainment. Though not good at writing bios, Mandel first gained national attention by winning Comedy Central's "Open Mic Fight" and has since appeared on Comedy Central's "Live at Gotham," "Comedy Central Presents" and "Reality Bites Back," as well as Montreal's Just for Laughs Festival. Mandel has also been seen on E!'s "Chelsea Lately," CBS's "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson," Modern Family, COMAN, MyNetwork TV's "The Golden Trailer Awards", co-hosted a pilot called "Pop Monkey" for VH1 and starred opposite Hank Azaria in a new sitcom on NBC called FREE AGENTS.
Mandel's first CD, "THE M-WORD" came out on Nov 8th on Comedy Central Records. Go see him now before he becomes successful enough to justify having a full blown drug addled meltdown.
Recently "The Standup Comedy Center" had the privilege to interview Mo.
The Standup Comedy Center: According to Wikipedia Mohan is a common male Hindu name derived from Sanskrit meaning "delightful", "charming", or "attractive". Do you consider yourself to be "delightful", "charming", or "attractive"?
Mo: I consider myself to be all three and also depressive, annoying, and obnoxious, but the name would have been crazy fucking long if my parents tried to squeeze in all those adjectives. So they just stuck with the positive ones.
The Standup Comedy Center: Is Mo a shortcut or homage to "Mo the Bartender" from the Simpsons?
Mo: No, but after doing a show with Hank Azaria I hank Mo the Bartender from the Simpsons doing my voice mail.
The Standup Comedy Center: BTW why isn't there a "Mo Mandel" entry in Wikipedia?
Mo: Because you haven't written one yet. Get on that shit. Now!
The Standup Comedy Center: Did you really see your mother smoking weeds? Did this make her a better mother?
Mo: Well, it made her a better mother to have that's for sure. Very few people get high and than nag you to clean you're room. I've often wished she shot heroine.
The Standup Comedy Center: How do you define your type of Stand-Up Comedy? Sarcasm? Observational? One-Liner?
Mo: I think I mix in observational comedy with self-deprecating stories about my horrible self. I like to get the crowd the edge of their seats, ready to hear me say anything and go after any topic. I feel like my style is pretty honest and I think people either appreciate that or find it offensive. As they should.
The Standup Comedy Center: When you were in Amsterdam did you go to see Anne Frank's house or simply got high and went to the Heineken museum (where the samples are better)?
Mo: Heineken museum. I never went to any of the Holocaust stuff in Europe. Felt disrespectful to go to one of those places with a hang over. Plus, I like to think that the people who died there would rather future Jews spent their time doing fun things and enjoying themselves. If we survived then we owe it to ourselves to enjoy our lives right? And also those places charge a fee.
The Standup Comedy Center: According to our sources you celebrated 30 recently. Any new insights on life?
Mo: No, I'm late twenties! Late twenties! Do you hear that casting people in Hollywood, LATE TWENTIES!
The Standup Comedy Center: Sorry for the cancellation of "Free Agents". So what is more rewarding doing TV or appearing in front of a live audience?
Mo: I'll be doing both. I'm appearing on Chelsea Lately this month and am about to shoot an episode of Castle for ABC which will be on later this season. And I'll also be on the road doing my act and selling my CD to people who need it.
The Standup Comedy Center: Where did you record your new CD "The M Word"? And what is the M Word?
Mo: I recorded it in Denver at the Comedy Works, for Comedy Central Records. it's great, I'm really proud of it and you can buy it on I-Tunes or my website, MOMANDEL.COM. You must listen to it to figure out what the "m-word" is.
The Standup Comedy Center: You have a few bits about been Jewish. Why do you think there are relatively so many Jewish comedians?
Mo: I don't know why but it's annoying. Too much competition. Some of them need to go be doctors.
The Standup Comedy Center: Where haven't you perform yet and really want to?
Mo: Mars. And Boston.
The Standup Comedy Center: When participating in the CHELSEA LATELY show, do you know in advance what Chelsea will talk about or is it all spontaneous?
Mo: We get the topics an hour or so before. But it's hard because I don't know anything about celebs, so I have to google who these people are right before I make jokes about them. It's not a very kind way to make a living but it's super fun.
The Standup Comedy Center: According to your Facebook "Mo Mandel Fan Universe" you regret the fact that you don't like being a lawyer like your brother who makes way more money than you. But is he funny as you? (BTW you have a spelling mistake you wrote then and not than).
Mo: Thanks for pointing out my spelling mistake. no wonder more people haven't liked my page. My brother is only funny if you consider his utter lack of a sense of humor a piece of hilarious performance art.
The Standup Comedy Center: What is your favorite bit that you perform?
Mo: I love this new bit I do on growing up with a bad temper and OCD. It's totally true and I think helps the crowd appreciate where I'm coming from. And it's totally f-word free which is an accomplishment for me.
The Standup Comedy Center: Any final words of wisdom?
Mo: Buy my CD. And also buy my CD. (Do it on Amazon
)
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