Biggest comic influences?

I read Born Standing Up as recommended by Rhett. Great book! But who are some of R&L's other comedic and or musical influences?

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Permalink Reply by Emily Collins (The Dark Horse) on June 16, 2009 at 7:27pm

This is one of the best questions ever. I can't wait for their responses.

Permalink Reply by Rhett (Shahbaz) on June 17, 2009 at 1:05pm

I've been asked this question a number of times, and I think my answer is going to be pretty disappointing...or unexpected. I don't have a comedian who I really look to, or have every looked to as a direct example or influence. No doubt that I've been passively influenced by a number of comedians, but I don't have anyone in particular that I look to for inspiration. Steve Martin's book, Born Standing Up, was inspirational and helpful in a number of ways, but I don't take a lot of cues from him and his style.

Honestly, I think my biggest comic influence is my dad. We have a similar sense of humor, and my family has always been an audience for my dad, much in the same way my family is an audience for me. He became a law professor, I'm convinced, because of the built-in audience on a daily basis.

That desire to make people laugh and to always seek to make an audience out of group of people, is genetic.

Permalink Reply by Steven Laird on June 17, 2009 at 6:32pm

I think that's true of a lot of comics and entertainers. Thanks for your response and being so accessible to your fans. Keep up the good work.

Permalink Reply by Tasha (Mock Turtle) on June 17, 2009 at 2:09pm

Have you seen Weird Al's new Craiglist video? It totally reminded me of you (probably more for the website parody than the doors parody, obviously). Do you guys like a little Weird Al?