Comic, actor, and podcaster Brooks Wheelan spoke with WNIJ's Jason Cregier again, to discuss his Entry Level podcast, early work experiences, childhood fishing trips and why being liked by a U.S. president isn't ideal for a comedian.
Wheelan will headline Janesville's Comedy Cabin this coming Friday and Saturday.
(This interview has been edited for clarity.)
Jason Cregier: Why did you leave Los Angeles to come to Janesville, Wisconsin, in the middle of winter?
Brooks Wheelan: I had just finished a six-city run with John Oliver and Seth Meyers, so I wanted to wind down from those shows.
JC: What is it like playing shows with those guys?
BW: It's a lot of fun, but I really enjoy performing in places like Janesville because it's more like where I'm from. I was born and raised in Iowa.
When we perform for wealthy audiences in big cities, I get a little annoyed and think, "You guys suck." Not that people in Janesville don’t have money, but it’s just nice to be back in the Midwest. The New York City Upper East Side elitists can be annoying, and Janesville rules.
JC: I follow your Instagram account, and I see you are a prolific traveler. If the water is frozen, do you plan on ice fishing in Janesville during your stay?
BW: I would to try ice fishing. Sipping cider in a little hut while you fish sounds awesome. I enjoy the Western United States, I enjoy the Sierra Nevadas, Yosemite, and Joshua Tree. I grew up camping in Iowa on rivers, getting eaten alive by mosquitoes and yelled at by my dad. I thought camping sucked back then. Now, I go camping out west with no dads or bugs, and it’s great.
JC: On your podcast Entry Level, you talk with comics, actors, musicians, and other entertainers about their jobs before working in entertainment full time. Your own story as a teenager working at a movie theater in Iowa is entertaining. Could you share that?
BW: We were charging adults but telling the computer they were children, then pocketing the difference. Eventually, the system said 3,000 kids attended, everyone got fired and they shut the movie theater down.
JC: When you are doing the standup shows with John Oliver and Seth Meyers, do they ever mention the fact that they draw the ire of the President of the United States for doing a comedy television show?
BW: It is crazy the president gets mad at these guys. But if the president is upset, it means you're doing something right. No comic wants the president saying, "Those guys rock." The president is the top cop. You don’t need the president to think you're cool. Even with President Obama, as cool as he is, I'd never want to be on his Spotify "Wrapped List."
JC: Brooks Wheelan will be at the Comedy Cabin in Janesville, Wisconsin this Friday and Saturday night, Brooks, thanks for joining us today.
BW: Thanks for having me. It was great to see you.
Copy Edited by Eryn Lent
