Emmy-award winning game show host and comedian Ben Bailey will perform at DC Comedy Loft on Friday and Saturday.
Bailey is known for his roles as the game show host and executive producer for Discovery Channel’s “Cash Cab,” in which Bailey drives around New York City surprising passengers as the cab transforms into a moving game show. Riders answer questions to earn cash prizes during their trip, but if they answer three questions wrong, Bailey pulls the cab over and the contestants lose all of their winnings.
While he loves hosting a game show and performing stand-up comedy, Bailey said both are two different challenges in their own right.
“They’re both performances, but they’re very different,” Bailey said. “‘Cash Cab’ is more formatted. Stand-up, I like to let things come.”
Bailey draws inspiration from comic legends like George Carlin, Richard Pryor and Rodney Dangerfield, but also from family.
“My dad told me jokes, my grandfather told us stories. Both of those guys inspire me,” he said.
Bailey says he tries not to watch other comedians as much today as he doesn’t want his own work and process to be influenced by others.
“It’s too easy to be influenced when you hear somebody and I always try to make my stuff unique to me,” he said.
His only exception would be his friend, fellow stand up comedian Bill Burr. After seeing one of his performances recently, Bailey said that Burr’s routine inspired him.
“Bill and I have always been sort of nosing each other out, right now he’s kicking my butt but I plan on making a strong comeback,” Bailey said.
Bailey will be performing at the DC Comedy Loft this Friday and Saturday, April 19 and 20.
draju@theeagleonline.com
