Ellin on the ‘Net
… and we don’t mean that shitty Sandra Bullock movie
By Jon Chattman
Carson. Letterman. O’Brien. Stewart. No question, they;re the greats of late-night comedy today or any day. But ask yourselves this: what the hell have they done for slackers who are on the Internet 24/7? Little to Nothing. Enter Ray Ellin, an acclaimed NYC comedian (he was singled out as one of the “Ten Standout Stand-Ups Worth Watching” by Back Stage magazine), whose interactive late night talk show LateNet on DailyComedy.com is making web watchers’ sides hurt and it’s not because they went crazy on an elliptical machine. We recently interviewed Ellin, who founded DailyComedy.com and has accomplished a whole lot more in his career that we won’t print out of spite, and asked him to shamelessly plug himself. We also found out if you act now you can attend a taping of “LateNet with Ray Ellin” Wednesday, September 26th at 8:30 p.m. EST (Get tickets now to be in the live studio audience by going to DailyComedy.com or Ray’s FaceBook page!)
Hey, can I be your black Kate Moss tonight?
Not sure what that means, but yes, you can. It will make for a great viral video.
Cool, just asking. How’d the concept of Daily Comedy and LateNet come about?
DailyComedy.com is the road, and LateNet is the chicken that crossed it.
What I mean is, I started DailyComedy with the intent to have a site where comedians and fans of comedy would have a place to call their own, to post and enjoy their stuff…. having good funny content and also socializing all rolled up in one sweet kilobyte.
LateNet kind of evolved…. it started as another show I did, still in the talk show genre. Then DailyComedy got together with Paltalk.com - they were looking for ways to grow their awesome socialcasting technology, and we seemed to be a good fit – no throwing mousepads, yet. Basically, I created this comedy/variety show that could incorporate elements of this really cool interactive capability. It’s something I always wanted to do.
Please shamelessly promote your show for this Wednesday night. You have two awesome guests, who are they, and how did you land them?
We actually have four awesome guests, sucka. AMY SEDARIS, who you know and love from Strangers with Candy and her million appearances on Letterman, Conan, and a ton of other shows and movies. RICHARD KIND, from Curb Your Enthusiasm, Spin City, The Producers, and oodles – that’s right, oodles – of other films, tv, and plays. Plus, the hilarious film critic BRANDON JUDELL, and writer/comedian JON DALY, who always makes me laugh.
I’m quite excited about this show. Was that sufficiently devoid of shame? How do I get guests? You mean before or after the restraining order? Actually it’s a lot of perseverance combined with some good buzz and a lot of support from some key industry.Plus, I give all guests a fruit basket.
Who doesn’t like an array of fruit? How long have you been doing the show for?
In my head, for about 20 years. In production since May.
How has the reaction been thus far?
Really great. Flattering and sometimes overwhelming. I really enjoy doing the show, and people seem to enjoy watching it. It’s much better than getting hit over the head with a plate.
Do you plan to take LateNet to Late Night TV?
No, we’d like to bring it to AM radio. Why would we want it to grow and blossom?
You’ve dabbled in some acting: is their a dream role?
Well, if they did a re-make of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, I’m in. Same with The Godfather, or an english-version of Cinema Paradiso. Then again, I would hate to be involved in the massacre of three of the greatest movies ever made.
I would like to do a gritty, dramatic role, ideally involving baseball or prison, or a romantic comedy – also involving baseball or prison. Or perhaps playing Dirk Diggler’s penis in Boogie Nights 2. I hear it gets plenty of screen time.
Who’s your dream guest for LateNet?
Wow. Too many to list. Socrates, MLK, Lincoln, Ghandi… Oh, living people? Gene Hackman is high up there. So is Billy Joel, Paul McCartney, Muhammed Ali, Eddie Murphy. Ricky Gervais, Bill Gates, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton. Bill Murray would be a very interesting interview. Letterman – David Letterman is probably it.
And add Kelly Clarkson. Saw her at Live Earth.
Speaking of Kelly Clarkson, I mean dreams, what’s the weirdest dream you ever had?
That I was hanging out with my great-grandparents, who I’ve never met, and we were water skiing, which I can’t do. Next thing you know, I’m in a jacuzzi with Hal Holbrook.
What’s your take on dinner theatre?
General rule: get there at least an hour before the show. At least try to enjoy your meal.
Who is the most overrated comedian of all time and most underrated?
Many of the guys who did half-hour specials in the 80′s.Underrated? Maybe Eugene Pallette.
I’m tired, add your own question and answer it.
Did you enjoy your prom?
So so. Ended up at IHOP at 4 a.m. Ate the Rooty Tooty Fresh and Fruity. With dudes.
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1 comment
Habiba says:
September 30, 2007 at 10:17 pm (UTC 0)
what kind of fruit is in the fruit basket? are there boysenberries? how about melon? any chance there are vegetables in the fruit basket as well? my brother like carrot.