When you’re a gifted comedian and you enter show business, playing Vegas becomes a goal. If you can make it, you’ll be among the greats such as Redd Foxx and Richard Pryor. “Playing Vegas” means something in the world of comedy. It means you have arrived, you have reached the status of “FUNNY”. With that said, allow me to introduce Mike P.
TN: So, Mike tell me a little about yourself. Where are you from and how did you end up here?
Mike P.: I’m originally from Pasadena, Ca. As a kid I wanted to either play football or be a comedian. Well, obviously, football didn’t work and here I am.
TN: Really?
:Mike P: Yeah. I came to Vegas in 1997 with my clothes in a bag and nothing else. I was determined to make it. I got a job with Hot 97.5 as a morning personality. They allowed me to bring my characters to life and do my thing.
TN: I know I listened to you every morning. (laughing) The crank calls and the parodies had me rollin! How did you come up with those characters?
Mike P.: (laughing) Every character is based on someone I know personally. Some are family members, some are friends. Like, Lamar is based on my cousin. I just watched him and copied his mannerisms and everything. Ethel is based on my Grandmother’s sister. Whenever she came around, she got it crackin! (laughing aloud) Carlos was my Mexican homie’s uncle. He was funny to talk and listen to.
TN: Those characters are funny! What about the parodies and songs? How do you come up with those?
Mike P.: (Laughing) I’m just creative like that. I just be fucking around and I come up with an idea that is funny as shit!
TN: I have a gay friend that heard the Lamar songs and now he’s convinced you’re gay.
Mike P.: Hell naw! None of that. I have 2 kids to prove that I‘m not. (laughing)
TN: What are you up to these days?
Mike P.: You know I have the only urban comedy show on the strip. It’s called Deez Nutz and it’s every Friday night at Poetry Nightclub. Every Friday night it’s me and comics from BET Comic View and Def Comedy Jam performing.
TN: You’re only 33. How did you manage to swing that? There are vets in the game that can’t even do that.
Mike P.: You need two things to get a chance to perform on the strip. Number 1- a big name and Number 2- money. It also helps if you know the people that run the club. Lucky for me I had established a relationship with the people at Poetry through my work at the radio station and I was able to make a deal with them to do my show.
TN: How is it having your own show on The Strip?
Mike P.: It’s hard. I do it all. I’m the producer, the promoter, and one of the performers. I do it all and cover all the bills. I get up at 4:30am to do the radio show. After that I go to the club to get it set up. Then to the airport to pick up the comics and take care of them and whatever they need, then I have to get ready for the show. It’s worth it. We now have sold out shows. I have comedians from all over the country begging me to come perform. It’s growing so much, that we might even add a second night.
TN: That would be hot. Is there anything special going on that we should know about?
Mike P.: Yeah. We’re giving away $100 gas cards. So, people can come watch the show with a chance to win some gas.
TN: Sounds like a plan. What else you got going on?
Mike P.: I also got a DVD coming out. It’s going to feature me doing my stand up and doing some of my characters. It will also feature some of the comedians that come to the club. I’m going to have comedy skits in between the performances. It’ll be sort of like Living Color or The Dave Chappelle Show.
TN: Sounds like it’s going to be funny as hell!
Mike P.: It will be. Also, I’m back on the air. For those that don’t know I’m on 88.1 KCEP every Monday and Friday morning with Carlaya The Queen of Flow. I’m just doing what I love to do.
TN: Where do you see yourself in the next 5 to 10 years?
Mike P.: I’m going to be a multi millionaire and doing movies.
TN: I can see that. No doubt.
Mike P.: I got what it takes to make it. Looks, characters and I bring the funny!
