ANDY DICK

A-TRAK – DIRTY SOUTH DANCE (Obey) Huge disappointments

MOONBABIES – AT THE BALLROOM (Hidden Agenda) Sunny synth-pop

PLAN B – WHO NEEDS ACTIONS WHEN YOU GOT WORDS (Cordless) A dirty sailor with a mic

WILLIE NELSON, MERLE HAGGARD AND RAY PRICE – LAST OF THE BREED (Lost Highway) Classic country all stars starting to wear out their welcome

COMEDY INTERVIEW ANDY DICK Livin’ La Vida Loca

OMEDIAN ANDY DICK HAS HAD an eclectic career that has ranged from hit sitcoms like NewsRadio and cult films like Zoolander to a recent string of forgetta - ble and regrettable projects. But even more erratic than his professional life was his personal one, which for years included tabloid stories of outlandish drug- and alcohol-fueled debauchery. Now 41, Dick has mellowed a bit with age, returning to standup comedy for a new album (Do Your Shows Always Suck?) and a tour that brings him to Roswell’s Funny Farm this weekend. We recently chatted with the South Carolina native by phone. C BY B. LOVE

I read that you grew up a Navy brat, and your dad worked on a submarine.

Yeah, we moved around a lot, so I learned to hone my social skills pretty quickly and I think that really affected who I am today. My dad was gone for nine months at a time, so he was completely inaccessible, and when he did come home he was a very strict guy. I think he felt like he was still on the submarine, and he led his family like a tightly run ship. He was a great guy– I really looked up to him– but he didn’t even like laughter at the dinner table.

So what was it that inspired you to pursue a career in comedy? I honestly think it was just grow- Zoolander, the Will Ferrell part was written for me, but I didn’t take it because I was working on a TV show that ultimately didn’t pan out. It was one of those bad choice career moves, but the show I was on wouldn’t let me out of my contract, so I couldn’t legally do it. Ben Stiller was telling me I should just walk away, but I had too much integrity. I wish I didn’t, because that would’ve really solidified my career in film, and I’m still look- ing for that sort of part. I’ve had a string of dumb movies...

Is there any one particular career project you’re especially proud of? Well, I love NewsRadio, of course, and I loved the Andy Dick Show. That, for me, was the culmination of a lot of hard work. I’d been three years sober at that time, and really put a lot of work into that.

At times it seems like your personal life has run the risk of overshadowing your profes - sional work. How do you feel about the tabloid stories and rumors that have circulated about you over the years? Well, at first I had the philoso- phy that any press was good press, but I don’t really believe that anymore. I’d rather keep to myself and just let my work speak for me. I wish I could go back and re-do that, because it was just a mistake.

I’D RATHER KEEP TO MYSELF AND JUST LET MY WORK SPEAK FOR ME. I WISH I COULD GO BACK AND RE-DO THAT, BECAUSE IT WAS JUST A MISTAKE.

ing up with my last name. The funny people in the class would all gravitate around me because I was their best fodder. I was an easy target, and I continue to be. People think I changed my name, but it’s not true. I was adopted into the Dick family and that’s been my name my whole life. I just recently found my biological mom (whose last name was Tomlinson) and dad (whose last name was Morgan), and I think I would’ve had a much smoother life if I’d had one of those last names.

You were Homecoming King at your high school, which would seem to imply you weren’t quite as unusual back then.

No, no, no, I was. It was kind of a joke. Me and my friends made all these posters, “Vote for A. Dick,” and it worked, but it was a joke. I’ve always loved pranking people, and I pranked the whole school.

So when did you start to evolve into the wacky character we know today?

I think it was always there, even at birth! (Laughs)

There’s an uncomfortable element to your comedy that reminds me of people like Andy Kaufman. To what degree do you tend to do things just to screw with people’s expecta - tions?

I’d say about 98.7% (laughs). Andy Kaufman was one of my heroes, because he shook people up and woke them up. I remember watching Fridays when he broke the fourth wall live on TV, and that freaked me out as a child. I said, “I wanna do that!” It borders on just plain stupid, and my standup comedy show is kind of like that. It’s not your father’s com- edy show. It’s not Bill Cosby, or even Bill Hicks. It’s more theatrical– I sing songs and tell stories– and it’s entertaining, but it’s not gonna leave you buckled over, with your ribs hurting from laughter. That’s just too much responsibility for me, and I’m just not that kind of writer.

You’re notorious for having a fairly crazy life. Has that mel - lowed at all now that you’re entering your 40s?

Yes, because now I live alone with my 19-yearold son now, and I definitely think I’m better off for it. I’ve made it through the hard times and come out the other end. If I haven’t died yet, you’re not getting’ rid of me. Sorry, folks...