Paul Provenza Sees Some Things in Comedy as No Laughing Matter

Comedy is serious business to Paul Provenza.

And he’s become increasingly selective about where he’ll do his stand-up comedy routines.

“Because comedy is so accessible now, audiences are also watered down, so there are a lot of audiences I don’t enjoy being in front of,” says the New York City native.

“There is a lot of rabble-rousing comedy out there and on television,” he adds. Especially on the “The Arsenio Hall Show,” which Provenza says is a “horrendous influence because a lot of people who come to clubs think they are suppose to go: ‘Woof, woof, woof.’ It destroys any finesse a performer might have. It’s what I call the ‘McDonald’s-ization’ of comedy.”

Audiences are much more respectful on Provenza’s own talk show, “Comics Only,” which airs weeknights on cable’s Comedy Central and kicks off its second season Monday. Each installment features two comics bantering with Provenza.

“It’s really a comedy show disguised as a talk show which makes it kind of fun,” he says.

Provenza began performing at New York’s Improv 14 years ago when he was just 17. “I had to sneak in and lie about my age,” he says. “When I auditioned there, Jay Leno was the emcee.” He got his big break at 3:15 in the morning. The audience, he recalls, consisted of other struggling comics, “two drunks and a couple of pimps and a hooker.”

Because of the proliferation of comedy clubs, Provenza says, it’s easier for comics to get stage time these days. “As a result, there are a lot of people doing stand-up that shouldn’t be. In any given comedy club, you will see a handful of hacks with a few talented people scattered in there.”