Interview: Judah Friedlander

By Jacy Wojcik in Arts & Entertainment on Jun 11, 2009 9:00PM

You might know him as the "Hug Guy" or the "Hat Guy" or as Frank, everyone's favorite TGS writer on 30 Rock. But Judah Friedlander is first and foremost a stand-up comedian, often performing at clubs several nights of the week even when he's shooting 30 Rock. We're lucky enough to have him in town this weekend performing his World Champion stand-up tour at the Chicago Improv. World Champion of what? Hockey, soccer, martial arts, picking up chicks, being a role model for children... world championships. Chicagoist got to know a little bit more about the world champion of the world; from his influences to what he's excited to do in Chicago to the $25 can of SpaghettiO's he's selling.

Judah will be performing tonight at 7:30pm, Friday at 8pm and 10:15pm, Saturday at 7pm and 9:15pm and Sunday at 7pm. Click here to purchase tickets. Chicago Improv is located at 5 Woodfield Road in Schaumburg. (847) 240-2001.

Chicagoist: We love the Frank-centric episodes of 30 Rock, specifically, when he goes back to school to be a lawyer. Growing up, did you ever want to be anything other than a comedian/actor/World Champion?

Judah Friedlander: In 7th grade, I wanted to be a janitor. Because they never had to go to class or do homework, could walk in the hallways whenever they wanted, they had huge brooms & mops, and when they had the faculty charity basketball games; they were the best.

C: When did you begin doing stand-up and who were your influences then? Did anyone in particular inspire you to start?

JF: I first did stand-up in 1989. At the time my influences were John Mulrooney, Dice, Sam Kinison, Steven Wright, & Rodney Dangerfield. Over the years I've had other influences from Hulk Hogan to Tammy Wynette & Tom Jones.

C: Do you have anyone you bounce jokes off of or run ideas past?

JF: My Mom, Dad & brother. And one friend, & a just a few comics. But mostly, I do brand new jokes in front of the audience at my shows. And recently, I've been posting new jokes on my Twitter account and on the status updates on my Facebook page.

C: The Frank Talk blog on the 30 Rock website has a few similarities to your website in that there’s hideous art pieces that you collect and comment on. Do you write the Frank Talk blog?

JF: The Frank Talk blog is 100% written by me as Frank Rossitano. I just started writing a Frank Rossitano Twitter account (in addition to my own account).

C: Amongst various items, you have an autographed can of Spaghetti O’s available for purchase at Judah’s Store on your website. Has this been a hit item? (Seriously, have you sold any?)

JF: I bought one. But that's it. Someone almost bought one. The lifesize robot of me is still for sale too. As is the spaceship that I sell on my website.

C: You’re working on a stand-up comedy cd…new material? We’re very excited for this.

JF: I should have had about 5 albums out already. This summer I'm finally going to put an album out. It'll be of material I'm currently doing.

C: We read that you started making animated movies when you were in junior high - what were they like?

JF: I made a movie called "Multiman". A clay animated movie about a guy who can morph into anything. Then I did an animated movie using drawings on animation paper called "Beware Rondo" about a creature from outerspace who might be invading the world.

C: Do you have any places in Chicago you love or try to visit anytime you’re here?

JF: I'm looking forward to playing ping pong at some of the table tennis clubs in Chicago. And I'm looking forward to finding a place to get cevapci (Croatian food).

C: You've attended many award shows from the Independent Spirit Awards for your role in American Splendor to the Emmy's as a cast member on 30 Rock- any hilarious award show or post-award show stories?

JF: I was nominated for an Independent Spirt Award. That was a lot of fun. Got to meet John Waters. I'm a fan of his. We're both from Maryland & both wear big glasses. The Emmy's is hilarious. But the award I won for Best Ensemble was at the SAG Awards. That was fun. At the Emmy's I got to meet James Spader, Tori Spelling & Nitro from the original American Gladiators. Those were highlights. At the SAG Awards, I got to take my brother & met Sean Penn & Diane Lane & told her how much I like Ladies & Gentlemen the Fabulous Stains. The 2nd time I went to the Emmy's I got to meet Nitro again. That was cool. The weirdest thing was being interviewed by Mary Hart from Entertainment Tonight and realize that she's a real person not a tv robot.

C: Motley Crue or Guns ‘n’ Roses?

JF: Guns 'n' Roses. Motley Crue has a fun image and a couple good songs, but a lot suck. Guns 'n' Roses kicks ass.

C: It wouldn’t be an interview without a hat question but you’ve probably gotten asked every question possible. Do you have any secret hat stories that no one in the entire universe knows about?

JF: I don't wear World Champion hats on 30 Rock. I, the World Champion, would never have a job writing on a TV show, I am too busy breaking sports records and hooking up with hot chicks while being a role model to children.

C: Your World Champion stand-up tour. Anything important we should know about? You like to talk to the audience a lot during your sets…should the easily embarrassed stick to the back rows?

JF: I talk with the audience, but it's all in fun. But it is natural to fear the World Champion while worshipping him at the same time.