Comedian Corey Holcomb keeps it honest, but fair

Some people have the special something where you just want to listen to them no matter what they're talking about. Comedian Corey Holcomb lulls the audience into his slow, methodical pace with the guile of a snake charmer and proceeds to take them wherever he wants on his comedy train.

Despite his laid-back persona, Holcomb, who has four shows at the Pittsburgh Improv this weekend, is working it. He took time to make a groggy call from the “Left Coast” after a late-night taping of a new show from Adult Swim, “Black Jesus.”

“I play one of Jesus' homeboys,” Holcomb says laughing. “I know in the Bible they're ‘disciples,' but in ‘Black Jesus' we're homeboys.”

Holcomb also recently wrapped his second season on “The Ricky Smiley Show,” as well as the voice of Robert Tubbs on “The Cleveland Show.” Anyone who said that comedians only work an hour a day hasn't met Holcomb. He can be seen coming up on the relaunch of Nick Cannon's “Wild ‘N Out.” He's also had two Comedy Central specials. He also was featured on NBC's “Last Comic Standing” which he says, “wasn't my favorite comedy moment.”

Question: Describe your comedy style.

Answer: Honest, but fair. I know what makes the women laugh, but deliver it from a male perspective. In the end, if women don't find it humorous, I'm losing it.

Q: Did you have a favorite comedy moment?

A: It was on Shaq's All Star Comedy Jam. There was a dude dressed up like a girl and I said, “When did Lamar Odom's girlfriend get here? It tore up the place.

Q: In all your years of comedy have a found a universal truth about life?

A: If you think you can BS the audience, you're wrong. They know. If you're real they will support you. And if you're not real they won't support you.

Q: Do you sit down and write or do you work it out on stage?

A: I write it down. Thank God for the iPhone, I can get all my thoughts on notes. I don't miss the chance to remember it.

Q: What do you want to be remembered for?

A: I want to be remembered as a person who was funny to people who speak English. Rodney Dangerfield spoke to everyone. It didn't matter whether you were white or black; if you spoke English, Rodney made you laugh. I want to be that guy.

Comedian Matt Wohlfarth is a contributing writer for Trib Total Media.