Phillyist Interviews... Jim Florentine

You might know comedian Jim Florentine (MySpace) best as Special Ed from the Comedy Central show Crank Yankers. (You know, where you laughed, but then thought you might just be going to hell for laughing?) Phillyist got a chance to talk to Florentine before he yanks your cranks this week with a four-night run at Helium Comedy Club.

As a Crank Yankers fan, I have to ask—Do you have fruit cup?
Jell-O.

Tell us a little about how the idea for Terrorizing Telemarketers came about.
I started to mess with telemarketers because I had nothing else going on in my life and would just sit by the phone and wait for one to call. If I had a life, I would have never started messing with telemarketers and would have never got the gig on Crank Yankers. So thank God I have no life or I wouldn't have a career, either.

You make us laugh. Who makes you laugh?
The Balloon Boy makes me laugh. He ratted his dad out on TV that the whole thing was a hoax.

Do you have any favorite places to see or things to do when visiting our fair city?
Your city has great strip clubs. I plan on getting paid in singles.

Phillies, Yankees, or ambivalence?
Phillies.

What is your favorite food to have Florentine?
Chicken Florentine. I always wanted a dish named after me.

Do you have any upcoming projects you'd like us to know about?
I have a movie coming out in January 2010 which stars Jenna Fischer and Chris O'Donnell called A Little Help. I play Jenna's love interest.

Jim Florentine
Wednesday, 11/4/09 through Saturday, 11/7/09
Shows @ 8 p.m. (Wednesday-Saturday) and 10:30 p.m. (Friday & Saturday)
Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom Street
All shows 21+
Tickets: $10-$30