BY: GURU JAY
Long before the YouTube dislike button was created, comedians were booed off stage. Like my dad says: “it’s a hard job but somebody’s got to do it.” Comics constantly receive disrespect.
It’s time to show some respect. This is my tribute to Elite Latino Comedians. Here are the Best in Show Biz…
Cheech Marin
Stoner flicks are a huge success in Hollywood. With the right mix of talent, these comedies will make millions at the box office. Also, consider the merchandising effect.
Cheech can live off his name. Celebrities love to say, “Do you know who I am?” If you’re a celebrity, you can survive from all the free stuff coming your way.
Cheech Marin crowned himself as the Original Latin King of Comedy. He is a V.I.P. in the comedy world. Many of Dave Chappelle’s marijuana jokes come from Cheech.
Paul Rodriguez
I respect Paul Rodriguez’s work ethic. He has played the game for over 30 years. The veteran is still going strong.
I like how Rodriguez has reinvented himself. He’s a serious voice actor. He lent his voice to the El Americano movie debuting in 2015.
And he stands for something, which is rare these days. Nowadays Hollywood stars walk a tightrope. Celebrities are afraid to offend a population segment.
I’ve never seen a comedian connect with an audience as much as Paul Rodriguez. He’s really just a standup guy. Paul will make you laugh until you cry tears of ecstasy.
Joey Medina
Is Joey Medina the funniest Puerto Rican on Earth? I think so. He does tricks on stage like an exotic dancer.
Also, Medina is an Original Latin King of Comedy. Only Cheech Marin and George Lopez outrank him. The multi-talented comedian is a former professional boxer.
He does standup like a fighter against the ropes. Joey unleashes unstoppable uppercuts. His jokes are jabs to your stomach. You’ll laugh like a hyena when he’s done.
The comedian shuns the spotlight. He doesn’t even have a Wikipedia page. But, he’s all over YouTube.
Medina doesn’t masquerade. What you see is what you get. Poof! He disappears and reappears on Navidad.
It’s not a coincidence that celebrities come back to do a Christmas and New Year’s Eve special. Why? Well, what time of year do you spend the most of your money?
Carlos Mencia
Carlos Mencia is the greatest Honduran comedian of all time. The confrontational Latino comic gives it his everything. Because of his original style, Mencia is one of a kind. He delivers his package like the UPS man.
Controversy surrounds Carlos. He liberally uses racial slurs. Sometimes he goes to the point of no return.
Still, he has a golden name. Mencia is larger than life. Have you seen his Comedy Central show?
Mind of Mencia helped elevate the comic to superstar status. TV is a terrific platform to showcase your talent. Mencia took over where Chappelle’s Show left off…His comedy is similar to Dave Chappelle’s in many ways.
George Lopez
I am a long time George Lopez fan. His sitcom displays how hard work pays off in the long run. The George Lopez Show ran for six seasons on ABC.
Although Lopez Tonight only lasted two seasons, it was still a fun ride. Loyal Lopez fans had a blast! Even his haters chuckled during commercials.
Jokes are like recipes. Sometimes you have to let the jokes marinate. The main thing is to get more hits than misses. Otherwise, they’ll boo you off stage.
You see George pushes buttons and that’s great. Any smart comic knows that controversy sells tickets. The difference is Lopez understands his audience like Warren Buffett understands his shareholders.
I see Lopez as a consummate professional. At his standup shows he looks like a CEO at a board meeting. He addresses the crowd like his neighbors.
He means a lot to the Latino community. Lopez doesn’t back away from controversy. He runs toward it like a fireman to a burning house.
Louis C.K.
Louis C.K. tells jokes like George Carlin. He has an effortless style and great material. After a hard day’s work, I recommend Louie.
To say Louis C.K. is an elite Latino comedian is an understatement. He’s high up on my list. To me he is one of the greatest comedians of all time.
The Mexican American comedian is in fact an elitist despite his down-to-earth observations. He’s not out of touch, but he is in the “in-crowd.” If you have a Forbes page you are definitely elite.
Louis C.K. specializes in dark comedy and satire. He looks like Conan O’Brien’s long lost brother. His empty head of red hair and goatee is his trademark.
I just started watching Louie every week. I enjoy his realistic perspective. When you want a break from political correctness, Louie is the best choice.
Louis C.K is a modern day Mark Twain. He writes with a deliberate purpose. He wants you to think like him.
Gabriel Iglesias has a unique flow and word choice. Not only is he an elite Latino comedian, he is in my top 20. As Gabriel’s popularity grows, so does his bank account.
I call him the ‘Original Latin Prince of Comedy.’ How can you argue with success? He sells tickets like clockwork.
Gabriel is everywhere. That’s not a fat joke. You see he is on stage, on TV shows and in movies.
Entertainers should explore the whole Hollywood landscape. Don’t ever limit yourself to just one mode.
Branch off, expand and get bigger.
Mark my words…Gabriel is a top ten comedian in 5 years. As long as he steers clear of drug addiction and alcoholism he’ll be the Lenny Bruce of this generation.
Elite is not a bad word. F*ck is. Comedy is the one place where we frown upon political correctness. So in the words of Eddie Murphy, ‘Fuck it.’
I am Guru Jay launching off into orbit in 5-4-3-2-1!
