About
"I did it my way. There are repercussions to the way I did it, but I said what I wanted to say. I stood up for myself when I thought it needed to be done."
In his one-hour interview for the American Comedy Archives at Emerson College, Carlos Mencia talks about growing up in East Los Angeles, and how his early experiences shaped his comedy. He describes developing his racially based stand-up act, and finding healing in making people laugh at our differences. He recounts working with his writers on his show Mind of Mencia, and gives his reaction to political correctness in comedy. Mencia discusses how humor evolves over time, as well as his use of "blue" material in his act. He speaks at length about accusations of his having stolen jokes from other comedians, and sums up his career. Bill Dana and Jenni Matz conducted the interview on February 15, 2007 in Hollywood, CA.
Highlights
Carlos Mencia on having been accused of stealing jokes from other comedians
Carlos Mencia on how comedy, and what people find funny, has evolved over time
Carlos Mencia on working with the writers on his Comedy Central show Mind of Mencia
Carlos Mencia on Jerry Seinfeld, and on Seinfeld
Carlos Mencia on how different groups react to his act, and Mind of Mencia
Carlos Mencia on summing up his career
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On struggling with his identity as a Honduran in East Los Angeles being raised among Mexicans; on doing Latino-based humor, and on listening to accents; on making a connection with his audience as a comedian, and the commonalities between different backgrounds
On the risks and rewards of doing edgy or racial humor; on his use of the term "beaner"; on aiming to inspire people, as well as make them laugh, though his comedy
On how comedy can heal divides, and solve problems in society; on working with the writers on his Comedy Central show Mind of Mencia; on his reaction to the notion of political correctness in comedy, and in life
On using "blue" material in his act, and how the choice of words can affect comedy; on how comedy, and what people find funny, has evolved over time; on Jerry Seinfeld, and on Seinfeld
On comedians tailoring their acts to their environments; on how different groups react to his act, and Mind of Mencia
On being responsible to his community in his comedy; on advice to aspiring comedians
On having been accused of stealing jokes from other comedians; on summing up his career
Shows
Mind of Mencia
Carlos Mencia on working with the writers on his Comedy Central show Mind of Mencia
Carlos Mencia on how different groups react to his act, and Mind of Mencia
Seinfeld
Carlos Mencia on Jerry Seinfeld and the fact that he doesn't use profanity, and on Seinfeld
Topics
Advice
Carlos Mencia on advice to aspiring comedians
Historic Events and Social Change
Carlos Mencia on doing Latino-based humor, and on listening to accents
Carlos Mencia on the controversy surrounding his use of the term "beaner"
Carlos Mencia on how different groups react to his act, and Mind of Mencia
Representation on Television
Carlos Mencia on doing Latino-based humor, and on listening to accents
Carlos Mencia on the controversy surrounding his use of the term "beaner"
Carlos Mencia on how different groups react to his act, and Mind of Mencia
Television Industry
Carlos Mencia on advice to aspiring comedians
Underrepresented Voices
Carlos Mencia on doing Latino-based humor, and on listening to accents
Carlos Mencia on the controversy surrounding his use of the term "beaner"
Carlos Mencia on how different groups react to his act, and Mind of Mencia
Professions
Comedian
Carlos Mencia on making a connection with his audience as a comedian, and the commonalities between people of different backgrounds
Carlos Mencia on the risks and rewards of doing edgy or racial humor
Carlos Mencia on aiming to inspire people, as well as make them laugh, though his comedy
Carlos Mencia on how comedy can heal divides, and solve problems in society
Carlos Mencia on his reaction to the notion of political correctness in comedy, and in life
Carlos Mencia on using "blue" material in his act, and how the choice of words can affect comedy
Carlos Mencia on comedians tailoring their acts to their environments
Carlos Mencia on being responsible to his community in his comedy
Carlos Mencia on having been accused of stealing jokes from other comedians
Carlos Mencia on advice to aspiring comedians
Performers
Carlos Mencia on making a connection with his audience as a comedian, and the commonalities between people of different backgrounds
Carlos Mencia on the risks and rewards of doing edgy or racial humor
Carlos Mencia on aiming to inspire people, as well as make them laugh, though his comedy
Carlos Mencia on how comedy can heal divides, and solve problems in society
Carlos Mencia on his reaction to the notion of political correctness in comedy, and in life
Carlos Mencia on using "blue" material in his act, and how the choice of words can affect comedy
Carlos Mencia on comedians tailoring their acts to their environments
Carlos Mencia on being responsible to his community in his comedy
Carlos Mencia on having been accused of stealing jokes from other comedians
Carlos Mencia on advice to aspiring comedians
Genres
Comedy Series
Carlos Mencia on working with the writers on his Comedy Central show Mind of Mencia
Carlos Mencia on Jerry Seinfeld, and on Seinfeld
People
Jerry Seinfeld
Carlos Mencia on Jerry Seinfeld and the fact that he doesn't use profanity, and on Seinfeld