Earlier than Felipe Esparza grew to become a star comic touring everywhere in the world at his leisure, it was a battle for the L.A. comedian to get round and not using a automotive. For years, he bought to all his gigs by public transit, hopping buses and trains to native golf equipment till he may afford his personal set of wheels.
That every one modified after he received NBC’s “Last Comic Standing” in 2010. He leveled up, started touring the nation, then the world, and by no means regarded again. Since his huge break, Esparza has additionally ventured into performing, with roles in such films as “You People,” “Daddy Daughter Trip” and “Guest House.” He has additionally appeared on TV reveals together with “Gentrified” and “The Eric Andre Show.”
His uncooked, private narrative-like jokes delve into subjects which are darkish and taboo, like home violence, the intercourse lives of married {couples}, drug and alcohol abuse and different dysfunctions rising up in a Mexican household. Esparza additionally hosts the comedy podcast “What’s Up Fool?” which has been one of many prime comedy podcasts for the final 10 years.
Esparza just lately spoke with The Occasions about his fifth full comedy particular, “Raging Fool,” which premieres Tuesday on Netflix.
Earlier than he may afford his personal automotive, Esparza relied on public transit for years to get to gigs round city.
(Christina Home / Los Angeles Occasions)
Inform us about your new particular, “Raging Fool,” and the way it differs out of your final Netflix particular in 2020.
The jokes are completely different however I’m nonetheless coping with the identical subjects. Household points, marriage, medication, intercourse, s— like that. However once I filmed my final particular, “Bad Decisions,” which was shot in two days — I did one present in English and the following evening in Spanish — the timing was unlucky. It got here out, and I used to be simply going to tour, then two days later the COVID pandemic broke out. We had the lockdowns and the whole lot, in order that type of sucked, however it got here out on-line and bought a great response from folks. However, with my new particular, “Raging Fool,” I really feel like I get to tour this materials now, it’s a recent begin.
You’re touring the U.S. now, as a part of the At My Leisure Tour, however final yr you had been worldwide. What was it like touring exterior the nation as a stand-up? Did you discover there to be any variations in audiences?
Touring standing up wherever is simply enjoyable. I really like doing reveals. However final yr, a part of my tour was in England, Dublin, Amsterdam and Sydney and Melbourne, Australia. The cool factor is that I’d assume my viewers would change once I go away the nation and play completely different locations, however it’s humorous the way it doesn’t. Simply to point out you that there are Mexicans, Hispanics and Latinos in all elements of the globe, each main metropolis just about at this level. For example, simply two examples: There’s an enormous inhabitants and neighborhood of El Salvadorans in Alberta, Canada, and likewise in Alexandria, Va., within the States. So yeah, throughout there are individuals who converse Spanish and respect the humor I do, and the reveals are at all times enjoyable and we have now a great time.
“The jokes are different but I’m still dealing with the same topics. Family issues, marriage, drugs, sex,” Esparza stated of his new particular, “Raging Fool.”
(Christina Home / Los Angeles Occasions)
You made some jokes in your final particular about being a vegan, however are you actually a vegan?
Sure, I’m actually a vegan. I’ve been a vegan since 2011. What occurred was that I used to be on the Atkins weight-reduction plan however doing it completely improper. I used to be consuming nothing however meat and cheese. Tons of simply carne asada, carnitas and al pastor, steaks, burgers and plenty of cheese. However I f— up by not consuming any water. It brought about me some very painful well being issues; I had horrible constipation for every week, and so after this episode I simply determined to surrender all meat and have become a vegan. My spouse was raised vegan by her mother. However then when she met me, she stopped being vegan, as a result of I launched her to Jack within the Field and In-n-Out and all types of quick meals and different junk meals. So she wasn’t a vegan anymore.
However then round 2011 I grew to become a vegan as soon as extra once I determined to strive it and we each have been vegan since. Right here within the San Fernando Valley the place I stay, there are loads of Mexican eating places that cater to vegan folks. They make vegan meats and vegan cheese. This one spot, El Cocinero in Van Nuys, makes home made vegan carnitas out of jackfruit and home made vegan cheeses, all one of the best Mexican meals however with vegan choices. Vegan meals years in the past was horrible. You’d eat a head of lettuce, white rice and a sandwich of pickles. My mother was scared once I informed her I’d be vegan. “Ay mijo que vas a comer?” [What will you eat, my boy?]
Comedy is therapeutic for Esparza: “I am still alive because of my stand-up comedy, for sure. I speak about some really dark twisted stuff in my life in my comedy onstage.”
(Christina Home / Los Angeles Occasions)
Your spouse works with you producing your podcast and comedy specials, so how do you stability household private time and work?
I don’t understand how we stability it however it simply occurs organically. Naturally, we simply make it work. She produces my podcast and likewise my comedy specials, which is tough work behind the scenes. We’ve been collectively since 2006 so she noticed me and knew me earlier than I received “Last Comic Standing,” and earlier than I used to be well-known. She is aware of the rhythm of my jokes she helps me write.
Your comedy incorporates some darkish private tales. Do you discover stand-up comedy to be therapeutic?
Oh yeah, I completely do. I’m nonetheless alive due to my stand-up comedy, for certain. I discuss some actually darkish twisted stuff in my life in my comedy onstage, within the new particular and in earlier ones. It’s stuff I’d not speak about in another setting until it was my therapist. Like for instance, I do that one joke about how my mother bought beat up by my dad once I was youthful. It took me a very long time to try this joke, however I lastly did it in entrance of my mother and she or he laughed and I knew then it was OK. It was very cathartic and therapeutic for her to observe me do that joke, it was very highly effective. Humor is unquestionably a lifesaver.
“I think as a comedian, you can make a joke about anything you want. But you gotta be prepared to take the consequences of your words,” Esparza stated.
(Christina Home / Los Angeles Occasions)
How do you are feeling about censorship as a comic? Do you assume comedians have whole freedom of speech to joke about any subject?
I feel as a comic, you can also make a joke about something you need. However you gotta be ready to take the implications of your phrases. You’ll be able to’t overlook that half. This one time early on in my profession, a few years in the past, I used to be requested to do a clear comedy present with no vulgarity, and so I didn’t cuss, however I did some jokes about racism and faith and I stated the improper factor, and it pissed some folks off and the microphone was reduce off. It had rather a lot to do with the content material, not essentially simply cursing. Nevertheless it’s necessary that as a comic you realize the viewers, particularly if you get employed for personal or company occasions. Now, although, if I’m employed or once I do reveals, folks know if you rent me you get what you get. If you realize my reveals you realize I’m gonna make jokes about medication, intercourse, marriage, race, faith and extra. I’m gonna use vulgarity. However, as a stand-up comedian, I’ve developed from a one-liner to a comic that tells tales, and it’s some actually darkish stuff however it’s all humorous.
Do present occasions and politics play into your stand-up comedy routines in any respect?
Properly, sure, however not too overtly. I don’t prefer to be approach too political, however I do contact on immigration and race considerably in a smooth solution to make folks chortle. For example, on this one joke, I discussed how white folks don’t work all month at their jobs, then ship a refund to Scotland or Eire. White folks don’t have immigrant family from Germany or Belgium exhibiting up at their door with blankets saying they want a spot to stay. If I get folks to chortle at a few of these topical jokes, then that’s a great factor. I made issues humorous now, with the present occasions. One factor we proved on this final election is which you can’t put Hispanics and Latinos in the identical class anymore. We’re not all the identical brown folks. There are some Mexicans that need different Mexicans and Central Individuals deported from the nation. It’s insane. However general, I strive to not take the angle the place I come out saying all whites are racist and kill all white folks, as a result of that’s probably not humorous, there isn’t actually a joke there. I attempt to make little jokes about these subjects and get folks to chortle.
Apart out of your tour, are there another performing roles or film elements on the horizon for you?
Oh yeah, I’m gonna be on the ABC sequence “Shifting Gears” with Tim Allen. It’s an episode the place I play a mechanic. It’s very cool, as a result of it’s a paying performing gig. … The humorous factor is I don’t know something about instruments or automobiles. Generally in Hollywood it’s not who you realize, it’s who you smoke weed with behind the Improv.
