What’s so funny? Joe Piscopo to perform at Island

By Mary Ann Cancilla

HARRIS - Performer Joe Piscopo likes to make people laugh; but his show is about much more than that, he said.

"You can always make people laugh," he said. "My show is a mix of comedy and music. I enjoy doing different parodies, different voices - from James Brown to Rodney Dangerfield. I have a little bit of everything in the show."

That show is coming to the Island Resort and Casino July 25-26, and Piscopo is thrilled.

"It's just beautiful up there," he said, when asked if he'd ever visited the Upper Peninsula before. "Everyone talks about L.A. and New York, but the true greatness of America is in places like Michigan."

For almost 20 years, Piscopo has dabbled in many media - TV, film, theater and nightclubs. According to his Web site, Piscopo started out doing stints as a disc jockey and a dinner theater performer before turning to comedy. In 1980, he joined the cast of "Saturday Night Live (SNL)," becoming part of the ensemble to replace the show's original cast.

He said the experience was great.

"It's like playing for the New York Yankees," he said. "You have to write your own material and you gotta turn it out, because everyone wants to see it. It was constant pressure, and at the time (the show) had like 20 million viewers. It was a real thrill."

Piscopo said one of the "great" things about being part of SNL was working with exceptional talent like Eddie Murphy and Robin Williams, as well as others that worked with the cast, such as Rick Moranis and Dave Thomas from Second City TV, a Canadian comedy show.

He said going on live TV with Murphy is one of many memorable experiences on the show.

"You never knew what the heck he was going to do," Piscopo said. "It was up to me, actually, to make sure he was going to go to commercial."

He fondly recalled moments in SNL history when Murphy would improvise, and Piscopo would be notified the show needed to head to commercial break and Piscopo would be charged with pulling Murphy back to reality.

"I would be laughing so hard myself," he said. "I was charged with corralling the great comic genius of Eddie Murphy."

Piscopo himself was known for some of that comic genius himself - gaining popularity for his impersonations of many, but especially Frank Sinatra. Other portrayals include The Sports Guy, Doug Whiner and David Letterman. But, for Piscopo, Sinatra held a little more meaning.

Piscopo said he gets his inspiration from his parents, especially his father.

"He is my hero," he said. "Frank Sinatra really came from my father telling me what a great man he was and how hard he worked."

Piscopo said his father instilled in him a great work ethic, due in part to the family's immigration from Italy.

As well, Piscopo is also inspired by his children, in whom he also tries to instill good work ethic.

But creatively, Piscopo is inspired by Williams and even Sinatra himself.

"He was a good American," he said of Sinatra, adding how amazing it was to watch Williams.

Piscopo said he still enjoys the camaraderie of SNL anytime he sees members of the cast.

Aside from his success in SNL - which lasted until 1985 - Piscopo has also enjoyed success in three HBO specials, winning a Cable ACE Award for Outstanding Performance.

He also worked in Hollywood, starring in hit movies like "Wise Guys," and "Johnny Dangerously," as well as "Dead Heat," "Sidekicks," and the independent feature films, "Two Bits & Pepper" and Roger Corman's "Demolition Day." He also appeared in "The Last Request," and Jonathon Parker's "Bartleby."

Piscopo was also a hit on Broadway playing disc jockey Vince Fontaine in "Grease!" in 1996, in addition to headlining the same show the following year.

He said doing live shows is much different than performing in film.

"Film is a big machine," he said. "Someone has to write it... you have to produce it and shoot it. And what you do has to be smaller, generally, than on TV and certainly than on stage."

He said one of the luxuries of film, however, is that you can re-shoot scenes.

"You have that luxury," he said. "Someone has to write the lines, but you have to have the gift to execute them. It's not the same as going live, or being on stage, where every single second counts. Films are slow. But films are so much more of an art form. I have the best of both worlds."

Piscopo's show will include a six-piece band, as well as multiple medias, including video and retro looks at SNL. His show is also a tribute to Frank Sinatra.

Piscopo's life, however, is not all show. He has also dedicated much of his time to charity - receiving the Volunteer of the Year Award from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mercer County, N.J. He has also been recognized by the Boys and Girls Clubs in New Jersey, as well as Boys Town of Italy in Rome.

In 1999, New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Whitman appointed Piscopo as a commissioner on the New Jersey Commission to Deter Criminal Activity.

But for Piscopo, two things top his list of achievements - receiving Father of the Year twice, and Jersey Joe's Gyms.

Jersey Joe's is a Newark program partnership between the city's police department and the Boys and Girls Club. The program provides city kids with a safe and fun place to develop, as well as bringing police and children together for mentorship.

As a result of this work, Piscopo started his own foundation called "The Positive Impact Foundation," creating positive media for at-risk youth, including the syndicated TV show for teens - "Positive Impact TV."

Piscopo's advice for aspiring performers?

"It's got to be in your heart and your soul, because it isn't easy," he said. "If you're satisfied doing something else, then don't do it, because it's 24/7.

"I dig it, it's exciting. You have to be very focused and don't go into it to be a star. You will be crushed. Go in for the journey."

Piscopo said he is blessed with a positive attitude.

"By the grace of God, I've always had a good attitude," he said. "Working with people like Eddie and Robin and Jerry (Lee) Lewis... I was so close, it was so exciting. But, I didn't ever aspire to be that.

"I enjoy what I do," he said.