An AmericasComedy.Com Video Interview – Editor’s Note: This interview was originally published 12/25/11. Catch Paul Mecurio at the Punchline in Sacramento this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
You may not recognize the name of stand-up comedian Paul Mecurio, but if you’ve ever watched “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” you certainly know his writing. Mecurio, the winner of two Emmy awards and a Peabody award, takes to the stage like it is the only thing he is meant to do.
AmericasComedy.Com was able to secure an interview with the award winning writer/producer/comedian and began with a very benign question: “So, how did you get into the business?” The answer will intrigue you, captivate you and maybe even make you tear up just a little bit.
This video series encompasses an almost one hour session with Mecurio as he takes us through the process of going from an Ivy League law school graduate and a Mergers & Acquisition attorney, then as an investment banker, and ultimately to one of the hardest roles in the entertainment business today; that of stand–up comic. If you’re a fan of going behind the scenes in understanding what makes an award winning comedian tick, then watch all three parts of this video series. The fourth part is a “name association” of some of the many stars that Mecurio has been in contact with over the years.
So let’s get this party started. In this video Mercurio talks about his family, his wiseguy and drug addled family, his rise to fame in the investment banking business and ultimately giving in to the nagging knowledge that this wasn’t what he was supposed to be doing.
Fish or cut bait? It’s decision time
In part 2, Mecurio takes us from an open mic slashing (at the aptly named Downtown Beirut 2 bar), to an IRS audit and a girlfriend who thinks that Mecurio is cheating because he comes home at night smelling like beer and cigarettes. Watch as he goes full circle from banker to comedian and then back to being a banker.
“Hey everyone! My investment banker is a comedian!!”
In part 3, we watch as Mecurio receives the vindication and approval he was always looking for. How his commitment lead to being a long term writer for “The Daily Show” even before Jon Stewart came on board. Today, you can see him headline at comedy clubs across the country (he is appearing May 12-15 at the Miami Improv). Mecurio has written and produced shows and pilots and appears regularly on Fox’s Redeye and Sean Hannity shows and will be seen this month on the Joy Beyhar Show on CNN.
And now for something completely spontaneous!
We thought we would round off our interview with some name association with some of the superstars that Mecurio has met. These are the only ones that we could publish!
