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Chatting with Comedian Kyle Grooms Ahead of His Show This Weekend

Kung Fu Komedy's big international headliner this month is veteran stand-up comic Kyle Grooms. He's appeared on Chappelle's Show, NBC's Last Comic Standing, and more recently, Inside Amy Schumer. He's...

Because "interviews" just sounds so staid and formal! This is where we talk to interesting people about interesting things. "Five" is more of a guideline than an actual rule.
Kung Fu Komedy's big international headliner this month is veteran stand-up comic Kyle Grooms. He's appeared on Chappelle's Show, NBC's Last Comic Standing, and more recently, Inside Amy Schumer. He's a fun, easy-going guy, much like his sense of humor, which he describes as, "Laid back with an explosion."

I chatted with him ahead of his show this Friday and Saturday about getting on Chappelle's Show, the US elections, and comedy. Catch the interview after the jump.

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SmSh: How does your audience factor into your performance or is it pretty much the same?

Kyle: Everywhere I go it's pretty much the same. Especially if you talk about relationships and culture. They laugh. I get the result I need [laughs]. Sometimes when you go abroad they appreciate it more. They like it more. Like they see what they see on TV right in front of them -- black Americans talking shit [laughs].

SmSh: How would you describe your comedy?

Kyle: Ooo wow, I try to be clever. A little different. Fun. I don't have one style. I'm kind of laid black. With an explosion [laughs]. Like a boxer.

SmSh: How did you get your start in comedy?

Kyle: It started as a hobby. I was always a funny guy, but a career in stand-up wasn't something I ever thought I could do. I went to art school and I was an art director at a TV station. I quit in 2000 after five years of stand-up. My heart was paying more attention to stand-up than at my day job. I'd have assignments -- these TV packages -- but I'd be on the phone making comedy connections and trying to learn stand-up. I just became consumed with it.

SmSh: How did you get on Inside Amy Schumer and Chappelle's Show?

Kyle: Being a New York comic, being on the New York scene. I remember Amy was a pup coming into the city. New comic. You just grow up with these people. The way I got in on with Dave was different. Neal Brennan, his partner was doing stand up in a club. I didn't know who he was but he was good. I'm like, "Yo man, you're good. Keep doing your thing. Your shit is tight." He goes, "Yeah I'm the co-creator of Chappelle's Show." I was like "Oh shit alright." He brought me in on some stuff and I started doing it. And then Dave left [laughs].

SmSh: What's next for you? Do you just want to do stand up or other types of comedy?

Kyle: I relocated from New York to Miami. Miami is where I started comedy. I'm producing shows in Miami, cause they have this whole new art scene. I've been writing, producing videos and content. Just wrote an article for HOW magazine. Writing would be a good thing, more writing would be cool. I mean you could understand that [laughs].

SmSh: Oh yeah, I can understand that. So the US elections are happening next month. Seems like every comedian is getting in on this. What's your opinion on that? Do you have your own Hilary and Trump jokes?

Kyle: You know it's been done so much. I may mention it, but I won't dwell on it in my act. Unless we're having a conversation and I'm just riffing. But yeah, it's just kinda sad. I'm still in shock because of who we have to choose from. I'm debating on if I should sit this election out. But then I think, you know I'm black, so [for] the people that fought for me to vote, I have to, I have to. You get what I'm saying? People died for that shit.

SmSh: Anything you want to tell us about the show on Friday and Saturday?

Kyle: It's going to be funny. Come out. Guaranteed good times. *** Kyle Grooms performs at the Kung Fu Komedy club on Friday at 9pm and Saturday at 8pm and 10pm. Tickets are 170rmb in advance and 200rmb at the door.
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