Comedian JB Smoove is feeling the heat. Somewhere over the past few years he unexpectedly had his rising career hijacked by the straight-talking Leon Black, the popular character he plays on Larry David's hilarious HBO sitcom "Curb Your Enthusiasm."
While Smooth has enjoyed industry success in the past—a three-year stint as a writer on "Saturday Night Live," along with regular appearances on "Everybody Hates Chris" and "‘Til Death"—it's been the "Curb Your Enthusiasm" experience that has literally changed his life.
Today Smooth is working hard and looking to the future. Not only is he in the middle of filming the next season of "Curb Your Enthusiasm," but he has his own development deal that he hopes will bring "The JB Smoove Show" into your home sooner than later. Metromix talked to the Los Angeles resident about his upcoming Columbus return April 30 to May 3 at the Funny Bone Comedy Club, the differences between his Leon character and himself, and why Leon is all people want to talk about.
Let's start with Leon Black. What is it about this character that speaks to so many people?
Leon is straight to the face. Leon is like a condom you carry in your wallet. And you pull him out when you need him. I think everybody knows a Leon Black. Leon is a fun dude, but he's more about getting the job done and being honest about things. I'll beat around the bush for a little bit and give you the benefit of the doubt. But, Leon sees BS right through you. We're different, but everyone knows a dude like Leon.
So when you're in character as Leon, who are you channeling?
You know, he kind of came out of nowhere. He's one of those guys that you know people like him, so it was easy to mimic this guy and to bring this guy out of my soul. He's like my alter-ego. I'm thinking about even changing my name to Leon Black. Leon Black is the new black.
Are you worried that Leon is becoming more popular than JB Smoove?
I'm very worried about that. Leon has taken over my world, and everywhere I go, nobody recognizes me as JB Smoove anymore. They ask me if I'm Leon, and I have to say, ‘Yeah, I'm Leon.' So he's there, but I'm not going to walk around with tanktops on and dirty sneakers and beat-up jeans all day. I'm JB Smoove in the flesh, but as far as my character, people want this dude's advice. They want to hear it. People want to be slapped in the face verbally. Some people want that and get a thrill out of that.
So is that what folks will get when they come to see your upcoming shows in Columbus?
People should come out to see Leon in the flesh. I'm coming out there bringing some Leon-isms and some Leon personality. But really they should come and see my show because every night it's different. I'm the master of improv. I milk a joke. The more the audience gives me, the more I give back to them. So every show is a little different. You won't see the same exact show twice, and every night is an experience because I like to make myself laugh. I want to have a good time, too. Every night I give my best, and I sweat with physical and improv and with outspokenness. It's a nice variety. I consider it like a circus. The circus is coming to town. The soul circus is coming to town, and that's soul as in black soul.
Tickets to see JB Smoove are $15 to $18. For more information, call 614-471-5653.
