The chances are - to borrow a phrase from the New York Times - that Brian Regan is your favourite comedian’s favourite comedian. Widely regarded as one of the very best by fellow comics and critics alike, he’s been touring the U.S extensively for over thirty years, playing iconic venues from Radio City Music Hall to the Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado.
While his name might be unfamiliar to casual comedy fans on this side of the Atlantic, Regan’s ‘clean’, observational and self-deprecating humour has earned him a massive grassroots following in North America. He’s fun for all the family and unlike other comedians his success hasn’t been built off the back of a sitcom or movie cameos. No. Put simply, he is just very, very funny. Take note young comedians.
A late-night talk show regular, he consistently finds the funny in the mundanities of everyday living and brings them to life. Who would have thought that board games, hotdogs and underwear elastic could be so amusing? To coincide with the launch of his new Netflix special ‘Nunchucks and Flamethrowers’, the first of a two-special deal, we spoke to the man that Bill Burr describes as “just the best….an absolute master.”
Congratulations on the release of your new special, Brian! How do you think 'Nunchucks and Flamethrowers' differs from your previous work?
Nunchucks and Flamethrowers differs from my previous stuff in that none of my previous stuff is titled, "Nunchucks and Flamethrowers." Now that you're wondering, am I going to get a serious answer out of this guy, here's a serious answer: I've tried over the years to keep growing as a comedian. In this new special, I hit on some subjects that might surprise fans of mine - Kim Jong-Un and the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, as examples. But even though I hit those kinds of topics, I also hit some friendlier topics - board games and Disneyland lines. I enjoy tacking back and forth with topics in this way, and I hope fans don't get seasick by the motion.
You're from a big, hard-working Irish-American family. How do you think this shaped your comedy? Do you think you inherited an "Irish" sense of humour?
Everybody in my family is funny. My dad, who just passed away several months ago at the age of 90, was one of the funniest people I have ever known. I talk about his sense of humor in the special. My mom, still alive at 90, and all my siblings are also very funny. So, yes, my Irish-American family has greatly influenced how I think as a comedian.
Unlike other comedians, you haven't relied on movie or TV roles to help boost your profile and sell tickets. Do you ever seek that kind of work or do you feel that it may distract from your stand-up?
The reason I never "relied" on movie or TV roles to boost my profile is because I was never OFFERED any movie or TV roles. But that has changed over the last few years. A couple years ago, Chris Rock cast me in a small role in his movie - Top Five. I am currently in a Peter Farrelly directed series, Loudermilk, on DirecTV's Audience Network. I have been enjoying the acting thing a lot and I hope to do more of it.
I feel like there's a big audience in places like Ireland, the U.K and Australia that haven't discovered you yet. Is there a particular reason why you don't work outside the United States very often?
I would love to spread my wings a bit and perform in beautiful places like Ireland. I have never been there, and since I have an Irish heritage, I would love to visit Ireland for two reasons - 1) just to experience it, and 2) to see if my comedy would be well received.
You seem to have the found the Holy Grail for a comedian which is combining both critical and commercial success. Which means more to you: a compliment from the likes of Chris Rock, or meeting a happy fan after a show?
I like to walk that thin line between the two. I like when audiences like what I do, but I also like when comedians like what I do. I guess the ultimate nightmare would be to bomb, walk offstage, and have a comedian say, "I didn't get it either."
Thank you for talking to us, Brian. Hopefully we'll see you in Ireland soon!
Very nice! Thank you!
'Nunchucks and Flamethrowers' is streaming on Netflix now. Full tour dates and ticket information are available here.