‘Whinemaster’ to Play It for Laughs in S.D.

Richard Lewis, the new king of angst comedy, doesn’t sound miserable, much less like a man known as the “Whinemaster.”

He’s calling from the swanky Ritz Carlton in New York, where he is encamped during a series of concerts in the area. In addition to finishing work on his next special for cable television, “I’m Doomed,” the plan for the afternoon includes a stop at a friend’s art exhibit and a visit with comedian David Brenner and his young son.

Coming off a triumphant December show at Carnegie Hall and a promising debut season of the television series “Anything But Love,” in which he co-stars with Jamie Lee Curtis, Lewis, who will appear at the University of San Diego at 8 p.m. Friday, has every reason to be satisfied, if not ecstatic.

Yet, he insists his on-stage persona, a bundle of walking neuroses wrapped around a core of insecurity, is still the real Richard Lewis.

“I do obsess. I am anal retentive,” Lewis said, after apologizing for calling 20 minutes before the scheduled interview.

On stage, he paces in all-black attire like a caged animal worried about the dangers of acid rain. He knocks the palm of his hand against his forehead and laments about his childhood, therapy, innumerable failed relationships and bad posture.

“Even if I’m happy emotionally, I have a bottomless pit of bad memories,” Lewis said. “I will never bring happiness on stage. What am I going to do, dress in a Hawaian shirt and read limericks?”

The 42-year-old Lewis has been whining too long to change his stripes. For 20 years he worked stand-up, finding some fringe success, such as opening for “Sonny and Cher” and occasional appearances on “The Tonight Show.”

But, unlike other comedians, appearances on Johnny Carson’s show did not provide Lewis with his big break.

“I’m too frenetic (for Carson’s show),” Lewis said. “It takes me four minutes just to apologize.”

It took David Letterman, an old buddy from the Los Angeles comedy scene, to move Lewis from the realm of stand-up into the rarefied air of national success, where film and television producers call him at the Ritz Carlton to do lunch and discuss projects.

Letterman did what Carson never did--he invited Lewis to sit down and chat for seven or eight minutes, instead of simply bringing Lewis on the show for a four-minute routine. Sitting with Letterman, who embraces the bizarre at every moment, Lewis was able to get on a roll, to ramble on about his problems and view of life. He’s made more than 40 appearances on the late night show.

Yet he originally turned down an offer to take a regular, safe job as one of the show’s writers. For all the neurotic insecurities of his on stage persona, the veteran of stand-up wasn’t ready to settle in to a predictable, relatively secure job.

“There was too much I had to do as a stand-up,” he said. “I had never tasted what it is like to have a following.”

Lewis started his comedy career relatively late in life, waiting until after he graduated from Ohio State University and started a half-spirited career as an advertising copywriter. His father died soon after he graduated, making it a little easier to take a chance on show business, while sparking years of therapy and introspection.

“I didn’t have the courage to tell my father I was going to (become a comedian and) play cards with Jan Murray at night,” he said.

Brenner was an early mentor, while comedians like Albert Brooks, Lenny Bruce and Jonathan Winters provided inspiration. Now, in many cases, his mentors and idols are his friends. Although the general public may just be getting to know him, he has been on the fringes of success for many years.

His resume is long and detailed. “I’m Doomed” is the third in a series of cables specials, after “I’m Exhausted” and “I’m in Pain.” In 1979 he attracted attention for his film “Diary of a Young Comic,” and a few years ago he had a shot at fame and fortune with a television series called “Harry,” co-starring with Alan Arkin, but it didn’t find an audience.

Now he’s made the cover of Esquire magazine, in addition to being featured in dozens of articles in every type of magazine, and he’s working on a script for a cable movie called “No Life to Live.”

“The only thing that has remained constant is my posture,” he said.

“Anything But Love” officially is on hiatus, which means it may or may not be picked up for next season. But it was generally well received by critics and made a dent in the Wednesday night ratings, raising expectations that it might be renewed by ABC.

Lewis is eager to tape a new season, in which he might actually get to do a love scene with Jamie Lee Curtis. The last season ended in a “sexhanger,” the situation comedy version of a cliffhanger, with Curtis’ Hannah Miller character professing her love for Lewis’ Marty Gold.

“I’m working out, trying to lose weight to get ready for that first episode,” Lewis said. “With my luck, I’ll be playing opposite Abe Vigoda.”

If the series doesn’t get picked up, Lewis, for the first time in his career, has a variety of options, including tentative talks about movies and screenplays, perhaps following in the footsteps of his buddy, Albert Brooks. He may become more of an actor than a stand-up comedian.

But there are limits to his acting future, and he realizes it. He doesn’t dream of doing Shakespeare in the park.

“Only if Shakespeare writes a play about a Jewish Community Center,” he said.

He is still enamored with the “catharsis” of stand-up, the outlet it provides him. He can’t imagine giving it up, although it still drives him crazy. He carries his notes on stage for each show, often using fresh material night to night.

“I’m a wreck before every show,” he said. “I don’t know what’s going to happen. Maybe that’s why they like me. They know I’m on the edge.”

For Lewis, San Diego is a relatively new area. He hasn’t performed in the area for several years, which, of course, makes him nervous.

“Hopefully they’ll know I’m there, and they’ll listen to me complain and go home and have a happy life,” he said. “I’m revved up for the show. A new market is Super Bowl time. I might have black under my eyes. Even if I’m in a good mood, I’ll be a tremendous wreck.”