How many performers can say they have a job that involves serving bull testicles to mouthy reality TV contestants on a national network?
At last count, only one: Joe Rogan, the 36-year-old actor-comedian and host of NBC’s “Fear Factor” (7 p.m. Monday).
But to say that Rogan’s career is built on supervising nauseating stunts for a hit reality TV series overlooks his talent as one of the most frank comedians on the stage today. To Rogan, human beings are little more than talking monkeys with TiVos, and he’s happy to say so.
During a recent drive along Highway 101 in Los Angeles, Rogan talked via cell phone about “Fear Factor” and his stand-up routine.
Where are you driving to?
To work. “Fear Factor.” (He chuckles.)
Why are you laughing?
I can’t believe the show is still on the air. This is the fourth season. I thought the show would be canceled immediately.
On your DVD, “Live From the Belly of the Beast,” there’s a side of you not seen on “Fear Factor” or your other shows, such as “The Man Show” or “NewsRadio.”
And that’s all pre-pot too. (He laughs.) The DVD is from 2000, right about the time when I started smoking pot. If you thought it was deep and weird and twisted before, it’s a lot further off the edge now.
It’s odd hearing a network star speak so openly about personal drug use. But that kind of openness is in sync with your stage show, which doesn’t shrink from finding the funny in subjects like capital punishment, abortion and cancer.
There is funny in everything. It has to come from an honest place. Obviously, the death of a friend is not a funny thing, but there might be something funny about that.
Is it safe to say you don’t believe in self-editing?
I don’t think it’s important, but you have to be able to admit when you screw up. And I think you have to be willing to screw up and be willing to speak with an unfiltered mind.
