RICH TALARICO - The Man Behind AY- AY- Ron
Creator of the one of the funniest sketches of all time, Rich Talarico, writer, anti-piracy advocate, and so much more.
I met Rich Talarico when I was a used-car salesmen. He bought the car and I have liked him ever since. But not because of the $150 I made in commission, it’s because he’s an extremely talented writer, producer, advocate for artist rights, and the author of the famous Key & Peele sketch, Substitute Teacher, where Ay-ay-ron became a household name.
Rich, would you say you got your start in improv, and if so what led you to improv versus standup or acting?
Done them all! I got my start actually, in the high school musical. I was a C student and not into sports. I enjoyed my art classes but didn’t feel successful with the other subjects. In tenth grade got the chance to be funny on stage and was bit by the theater bug.
My next step was being asked by some guys in my High School to tell jokes before they did a rock concert.
Emboldened, I approached my art teacher, Joe Talerico (He spells it wrong) because I heard he owned a night club. I asked him if I could tell jokes at his club, and with zero hesitation he said, “I love it, let’s do it.”
At 17 I was telling jokes and brining up bands. Got more into community theater and stand-up in and around Utica, NY.
I heard about The Second City and moved to Chicago at 19, my first teacher was Stephen Colbert. My first class was improv for actors.
By 20, I was doing stand-up, improv and acting. So, have loved them all.
Key & Peele, A sketch comedy show that ran on Comedy Central 2012- 2015 is my favorite of your works.
“RICH’S WORK ON KEY & PEELE IS NOTHING SHORT OF LEGENDARY.” — Jordan Peele
When you did start writing sketches?
My first sketches came working for Second City’s National Tour, in 1996. The tour-cos would mostly perform “The Best of the Second City,” but we also wrote sketches of our own and tried to sneak them into the shows. After that, I began writing sketches for a radio show that aired in the Chicago burbs, through Second City. Eventually made it to the resident companies of Second City, where we created original shows through improvisation. That process is described in many books, one of my faves is “Days and Nights at The Second City,” by Bernie Sahlins.
Tell me about the shows and classes you’re doing. What can someone expect to learn?
Presently, I am teaching and performing improvisation, sketch comedy and stand-up comedy around the U.S. I headlined the Oops All Headliners show in Austin, TX, at the Frog Rock Brewery in Austell, GA and performed featured sets at Nashville’s Bowery Vault, Scruffy City Hall in Knoxville, TN, Magruder’s Pub in Buffalo, Don’t Tell Comedy, Buffalo, Chicago’s Lincoln Lodge and at the historic Uptown Theater in Utica, NY. Recently performed stand-up, opening for the legendary Kevin Nealon at Kellar’s Magic Comedy Club in Erie, PA and at Dick’s Last Resort in Panama City Beach, FL. I teach online and in-person classes in sketch & comedy writing, offer private consulting for writers and also teach improvisation for all levels. — more at richtalarico.com
You have done a lot of advocacy work for writers and artist. Can you tell us about that and why it’s so important to you and all artists?
Many issues are in play but my main issue right now is ending Corporate Sponsored Piracy.
Writers, Actors, Directors and Musicians are being robbed through Corporate Sponsored Piracy. What is Corporate Sponsored Piracy? When an illegal (non-studio) upload occurs, YouTube’s algorithm is quick to notify the copyright holders (studios), providing them with the option to remove the infringing clip, or monetize it through ads. Studios are largely choosing to leave these uploads online, obviously capitalizing on the piracy. This widespread practice turns fans into unwitting accomplices in diverting fair pay from talent. The problem is, that for years, studios have been secretly monetizing this stolen content for themselves, while paying nothing to actors, writers, directors and musicians.
Fellow actors, writers, as well as fans can sign our letter of support and learn more about Corporate Piracy by visiting endingcorporatepiracy.com
Rich, what haven’t I asked you about that my readers should know about you?
I’m working on producing a feature project in Buffalo/Niagara Falls area and would love support on that.
filmfreeway.com/TheWidowDaredevil
Also, i’m non-religious, an enthusiast drummer, dog lover, and friend to all chicken wings.
I too never met a wing I didn’t like, or a Rich sketch that didn’t make me laugh. Thanks Rich.
If you get a minute, stop by MossWords.com and see more about me. Thanks, Gail