Brian Regan proves clean comedy can be funny
By David N. Young
In a world of shock jocks and performers seemingly no longer restrained by the limits of profanity, Comedian Brian Regan’s career is a testament that clean comedy can not only be funny, but in fact can propel a performer to a vaulted position indeed.
He returns to southern California for a one-night special event at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts April 5.
Critics, fans and fellow comedians agree: Brian Regan is one of the most respected comedians in the country with Vanity Fair calling Brian, “The funniest stand-up alive,” and Entertainment Weekly calling him, “Your favorite comedian’s favorite comedian.”
Having built his 30-plus year career on the strength of his material alone, Brian’s non-stop theater tour continuously fills the most beautiful venues across North America, visiting close to 100 cities each year.
As he takes the stage, Regan is somewhat noted for zoning out most of the audience to focus on “a few faces near the front. I want to know there are humans out there,” he said, but prefers to engage directly with people close to stage while feeling the pulse of the larger audience move “like a flock of birds in flight.”
His deep wit comes from a wholesome place as he finds incongruencies to illustrate the funny side of life. What makes Regan different is that he does not use profanity in his standup act.
“I never did it for career reasons,” said Regan in an interview this week, “I just find it beneficial for myself.” According to Regan, clean comedy is just another brand of comedy.
He compares it to music, saying there are different genres of entertainment. “There is rock and there is acid rock. There is clean comedy and saltier comedy. Everyone is entitled to their own style, he said, and he is not offended by those who incorporate a bit more salt into their work. “I just gravitate to own vision,” he said.
Regan’s onstage demeanor is a lot like his Vegan lifestyle where he is known to rigorously project an off-screen image of a doting father and neighbor next door. Regan has said he does not want his children to know him as a comedian star, only as “dad.’
For Regan, his focus of living and projecting the good life has worked and worked well for his career. He credits David Letterman with giving him a platform, appearing a record 28 times on the Letterman show. Regan can be seen whispering “thank you” in Letterman’s ear on the famous comedian’s last show.
On stage for more than 30 years now, Regan’s career is still red hot.
Brian premiered his seventh hour of comedy, the Netflix special, Brian Regan: Nunchucks And Flamethrowers, on November 21, 2017. This is the first special in a two-special deal with Netflix, joining Brian with Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, Jerry Seinfeld and others in multi-special deals with the leader in worldwide streaming. Brian’s second Netflix special is planned for release in 2019.
Given the political divisions that currently divide the country, Regan says he navigates carefully.
“Many comedians wade into those waters,” said Regan, but “I largely stay away from it.” Though lately, Regan said he is trying some new material with a slight “foreign” element. “I’m putting my big toe in the water,” said Regan, but will still only do material that “both sides can laugh at.”
Regan has also become a regular on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, where he appeared recently to promote his upcoming Netflix special series produced by Jerry Seinfeld.
His new Netflix series Stand Up and Away! With Brian Regan, which is currently streaming and Executive Produced by Jerry Seinfeld. Brian’s first of his two upcoming Netflix special’s “Nunchucks and Flamethrowers” is also currently streaming. Regan joins an illustrious group of legendary standups with a 2-special deal for the platform including Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle, and Seinfeld.
Taking a leap into the acting world, director Peter Farrelly personally cast Brian in his new TV series, Loudermilk, on The Audience Network. Loudermilk premiered to rave reviews in 2017, with Brian earning accolades in the role of “Mugsy,” a recovering addict who is estranged from his family. The second season was shot this past summer.
Brian appeared at Carnegie Hall, also in 2017, following years of performances in New York City’s finest theaters, including Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall, The Beacon Theater and Radio City Music Hall. Brian’s tour has included visits to Denver’s legendary 8,600 seat Red Rocks Amphitheater and the 12,500 seat EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City. Regan made history in 2015 with his special Brian Regan, Live from Radio City Music Hall – the first live broadcast of a stand-up special in Comedy Central’s history.
Regan says he “loves the process of comedy,” taping every show and going back later to analyze what worked and what didn’t. Regan finely tunes his act. “Comedy is really subjective,” he said, and he understands the fact that every audience is a case of “group psychology.” What makes them laugh, said Regan, “well,” he said a bit tongue-in-cheek, “I’m still trying to figure that out.”
Single tickets start at $54.50 and are available now at www.SCFTA.org, at the Box Office at 600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa or by calling (714) 556-2787. For inquiries about group ticket savings of 10 or more, please call the Group Services office at (714) 755-0236.