Sunday Conversation: Tracy Morgan

Tracy the character is familiar to fans of NBC’s “ 30 Rock,” and now Tracy Morgan the comedian crosses over to cable for his first HBO comedy special debuting on Saturday, a few days after his 42nd birthday. For “Tracy Morgan: Black and Blue,” the Emmy-nominated performer returns whence he came, professionally speaking — New York’s Apollo Theater. There the divorced father of three sons and former “Saturday Night Live” star riffs on Mel Gibson and white rage, meeting President Obama and other wonders of the modern world.

You filmed the HBO special at the Apollo, where you started your comedy career. So how was doing this special different from your early memories?

It was an HBO special. When I first started, I wasn’t doing HBO specials. This was 18 years in the works. To get to this point is phenomenal. This is Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence and Robin Harris, and all those people. So it really feels good.

How was the audience different?

They weren’t different. They were awesome. They were ready for it. People right now are ready for some good stand-up comedy. People are ready to laugh.

I gather from your special that lately you’ve been thinking about aging.

I’m not getting any younger. You’re not getting any younger, so yeah. You age. I wanted to make fun of it.

Well, I live in Los Angeles, so I am getting younger.

Cool stuff.

You also mentioned having dinner at the White House. What was that like?

It was special to be there with everybody and to meet the president. It was a special time in my life, and I had to share it with everybody. It’s not every day you get to meet the president.

What did he say to you? What was that like?

He said, “Hello.” He didn’t have a conversation with me. He’s the president of the United States. Everybody was there. Everybody was coming from every angle. He said, “Hello,” and I said, “Hello” and that was the end of it. It was just the fact that I was there, and I was invited to the White House. It was really great.

Have you come across gold diggers in your dating life?

I think everybody does. Everybody’s out to get something from somebody. “Gold diggers” doesn’t just mean money, it can mean time, it can mean feelings. It can mean anything, when you’re taking and not giving. When people don’t know how to reciprocate.

How do you deal with that?

You don’t have to deal with it. You just keep moving. As long as you’re giving, you’re good. It’s always good.

Of the characters you’ve played, which is your favorite?

I like doing Tracy Morgan. I think he’s original

Do people mistake Tracy the character for you?

All the time, all the time. Because I use my name in a lot of the TV shows, and that’s really my name.

What do you want people to know is true about Tracy Morgan the person and not your character?

I’m sensitive and aware. I have a heart. I want people to see me with their heart and not their eyes.

I know you’ve had issues with drinking. Are you still sober?

I’m still sober. It means everything to me. It’s been four years, and it’s a really positive thing for me.

Do you have any specific goals?

Just to be funny.

Who do you think is funny?

I like normal people. Regular people make me laugh. Real people. Real things make me laugh. That’s funnier than something contrived. I like something that’s real.

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