THE COMEDY THAT MADE ME: VINCENT ZAMBON, NEW ORLEANS
New Orleans comedian Vincent Zambon and his influences. Clockwise from top left: TQ and the Top Cats, Phil Hartman, Zack Galifiniakis and Brian Regan
THE COMEDY THAT MADE ME: VINCENT ZAMBON
Talking to Paul Oswell
You’re in a little boat in the middle of the ocean. It’s night, and the waters are calm. You can see the ripples dance with light from the twinkling stars. You look up and your eyes absorb the brightness from Betelgeuse going supernova light years away. You feel safe as you hear my voice start to tell you about myself. 14 years ago, when I started doing stand up in New Orleans I used to shake like a leaf going on stage, and here I am about to record my comedy special. I can’t believe it. It’s going to be at Sports Drink on August 15th, 2025, and I’m told the weather will be mild with 0% humidity. It’s a Friday night. Perfect thing to do before you tear up the streets. But first, here’s some things that, throughout my life, have inspired me to want to do comedy.
SNL
80’s and 90’s SNL. Some 70’s. But geez, Phil Hartman, Jan Hooks, Farley, Spade, the whole gang putting on a show every Saturday night. That was the first dream. Doing SNL.
Dad
My dad was in a great 1950’s cover band in New Orleans called 'TQ and the Topcats'. The band put on a show, and they would all dress like greasers or just from the era. During the show they would have subtle act outs during a song. Like, the bass player that’s dressed like a 50’s nerd accidentally bumps into my dad, who was the strong greaser saxophone player. My dad (stage name Moose Mongo) would lift him off the ground by his shirt, then let him go when another singer tries to calm him down. All this as they’re playing ‘Wanderer’ by Dion and the Belmonts. Just a quick scene, and then it’s over and back to the song. Those funny scenes were so appreciated. Also, my Dad is just funny at home. People think I have an interesting perspective. You’ve got to hear my Dad. He and I riff on an idea until it’s dead. You could say comedy training came from my Pops.
Brian Regan, Rodney Dangerfield, Zach Galifianakis
At work, I would listen to Brian Regan on my headphones five days a week for about two years straight. The dude makes me lose it. I do have some dirty material, but I’m like 90% clean. He inspires me to get the laugh without getting nasty. I’m a fan of a dirty joke, but I really appreciate a killer clean joke. Oh man, also watching Rodney Presents on HBO as a kid. I wanted to be in that smoky-ass room with some sort of character banging out jokes on a late Saturday night. So many greats acts killing it. Finally, Zach Galifianakis. I very much emulated him when I started out, if you could even tell. I was nervous as can be.
The local comedy scene
The New Orleans scene has been such an inspiration. Some local goodies like Shep Kelly, Saya Meads, Andrew Polk, Isaac Kozell, and Marcus Bond. I could go on and on. Their confidence and creativity always helps me try and do more.
Patrick
My friend Patrick and I go way back. I remember me having to sit next to him for the first time in class and he quoted the kid in the bus from Forrest Gump: “Can’t sit here.” I don’t know, that just made me laugh. We’d riff sketch ideas and jokes, and he always brought a funny spin to some outrageous scenario that would make me lose it. He’s a great friend that I can always goof with.
Thanks for reading this and for having me. Come to the show, it’s gonna be a blast!
Vincent Zambon tapes his new special at Sports Drink on Friday August 15th, with shows at 7pm and 9pm. Click here to buy tickets.
You’re in a little boat in the middle of the ocean. It’s night, and the waters are calm. You can see the ripples dance with light from the twinkling stars. You look up and your eyes absorb the brightness from Betelgeuse going supernova light years away. You feel safe as you hear my voice start to tell you about myself. 14 years ago, when I started doing stand up in New Orleans I used to shake like a leaf going on stage, and here I am about to record my comedy special. I can’t believe it. It’s going to be at Sports Drink on August 15th, 2025, and I’m told the weather will be mild with 0% humidity. It’s a Friday night. Perfect thing to do before you tear up the streets. But first, here’s some things that, throughout my life, have inspired me to want to do comedy.
SNL
80’s and 90’s SNL. Some 70’s. But geez, Phil Hartman, Jan Hooks, Farley, Spade, the whole gang putting on a show every Saturday night. That was the first dream. Doing SNL.
Dad
My dad was in a great 1950’s cover band in New Orleans called 'TQ and the Topcats'. The band put on a show, and they would all dress like greasers or just from the era. During the show they would have subtle act outs during a song. Like, the bass player that’s dressed like a 50’s nerd accidentally bumps into my dad, who was the strong greaser saxophone player. My dad (stage name Moose Mongo) would lift him off the ground by his shirt, then let him go when another singer tries to calm him down. All this as they’re playing ‘Wanderer’ by Dion and the Belmonts. Just a quick scene, and then it’s over and back to the song. Those funny scenes were so appreciated. Also, my Dad is just funny at home. People think I have an interesting perspective. You’ve got to hear my Dad. He and I riff on an idea until it’s dead. You could say comedy training came from my Pops.
Brian Regan, Rodney Dangerfield, Zach Galifianakis
At work, I would listen to Brian Regan on my headphones five days a week for about two years straight. The dude makes me lose it. I do have some dirty material, but I’m like 90% clean. He inspires me to get the laugh without getting nasty. I’m a fan of a dirty joke, but I really appreciate a killer clean joke. Oh man, also watching Rodney Presents on HBO as a kid. I wanted to be in that smoky-ass room with some sort of character banging out jokes on a late Saturday night. So many greats acts killing it. Finally, Zach Galifianakis. I very much emulated him when I started out, if you could even tell. I was nervous as can be.
The local comedy scene
The New Orleans scene has been such an inspiration. Some local goodies like Shep Kelly, Saya Meads, Andrew Polk, Isaac Kozell, and Marcus Bond. I could go on and on. Their confidence and creativity always helps me try and do more.
Patrick
My friend Patrick and I go way back. I remember me having to sit next to him for the first time in class and he quoted the kid in the bus from Forrest Gump: “Can’t sit here.” I don’t know, that just made me laugh. We’d riff sketch ideas and jokes, and he always brought a funny spin to some outrageous scenario that would make me lose it. He’s a great friend that I can always goof with.
Thanks for reading this and for having me. Come to the show, it’s gonna be a blast!
Vincent Zambon tapes his new special at Sports Drink on Friday August 15th, with shows at 7pm and 9pm. Click here to buy tickets.
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