Antoine Scott

 

Comedian Antoine Scott’s career is on the rise and it has been for awhile.

 
But don’t expect to hear that from him. It took some prying to learn that he appeared in the comedy film, “Evan Almighty,” and he jokes, “To see me, you’ve got to stop, pause, and pull out a magnifying glass to look real hard.” He’s performed on “Showtime at the Apollo,” and he reached the semi-finals in Bill Bellamy’s successful show, “Who Got Jokes?” even travelling to Germany to compete. Antoine grew up in Richmond, and graduated Thomas Jefferson High School. T.J. Faculty has invited him back to talk to students about hanging on to and working toward their goals. In addition to keeping busy with hometown gigs, Antoine performs from Boston to Florida. Catch his act at After Six Supper Club, 1708 E. Main St., when he performs weekly with Lyric Ave. and in “Antoine Scott and Friends Comedy Night,” which he’ll soon be leading weekly. He’s an audience – and bridal shower – favorite.

 

What’s happening in your career?
It’s on the rise with a television show with Bill Bellamy “Who Got Jokes?” which aired in November. It will show again sometime in December.

 

How long have you been a comic?
Depends on who’s asking and on what audition application! About four and a half years.

 

Where do you get material?
Life, personal experiences, and the news. You can’t make up the stories better than what people actually do in the real world.

 

Who are some of your favorite comics?
Robin Harris, Steve Harvey, Earthquake

 

What’s your biggest professional dream?
To be a voice of a cartoon character in any kids movie. That would be great, and so would the paycheck!

 

What is one hard thing about being a comic that nobody knows?
 That it’s a craft, what we do on stage. Almost everybody thinks they can do it. It’s not as easy as you think. Creativity, originality, and stage presence are just some of the key elements you must have to be a comic. So take yo a*$ up there and try it!

 

How do you prepare for a show?
Pay attention to my surroundings, my crowd, the flow of the other comedians to ensure I don’t talk about the same subjects. Then I get on stage and make it happen. Hell, sometimes I have no idea. When I get on stage, the first thing that comes out my mouth, I roll with it.

 

Favorite food:
Anything that makes you gain weight – KFC mashed potato bowl, double cheeseburgers. They’re like drugs to me – be calling me!

 

Favorite beverage:

Grape soda

 

What do you want for Christmas?
For my kids to get all they wish for. But the way the economy is, it may just be a wish.

 

What music are you listening to these days?
Anything with a nice beat. I’m a beat freak. I definitely like that Red Rum from Richmond.

 

Do you like Richmond?
LOVE my city. I try to get Richmond to come out the house – Richmond sleep too damn much – and have some fun with comedy or anything, anywhere I can make somebody laugh.

 

How do you keep it real?
Sometimes when I say something and they don’t laugh, I say, ‘That won’t funny was it?’ IT WAS FUNNY TO ME. Some comics try to act like every thing they say is funny, and it’s not. Oh, you can have an off night like Michael Jordan. Folks on their job can have an off day. Keep forgetting to place the trash can back by the driveway when they dump it.

 

When you break up with a woman, do you text her or tell her?
I call her, then hang up. Start a text, then delete it, feel bad, so I say nothing for days and hope maybe she gets the picture. I’m terrible at communicating.

 

I’m joking! Actually, I man up and tell her face-to-face over a mashed potato bowl from KFC. 

 

What’s next in your career? In life?
To keep getting better as a comedian and be a success story for the city of Richmond. In life – keep pushing and never give up!