Lisa Lampanelli talks to us before bringing her Queen of Mean routine to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. COURTESY PHOTO / DAN DION

Lisa Lampanelli’s prediction if Trump wins and why she hates awards shows

She’s the Queen of Mean, the insult comic who shot to fame in the early 2000s after participating in the meanest roast ever, one that actually made people pity Chevy Chase. But even at her cruelest, Lisa Lampanelli has always demonstrated lovable self-deprecation, showing that she truly is an equal opportunity offender. Lampanelli brings her wit, charm, and yes, invective back to the Van Wezel on Friday.

Q: Congratulations. I see “Back to the Drawing Board” is nominated for the best comedy album Grammy. Are you excited about attending the ceremony again next month?

A: No! I hate those things. The only reason I’m excited is I’m taking my niece and nephew, they’re 14 and 15. Everyone thinks those parties are fun but you just sit there and don’t win and watch a band you don’t like because you don’t recognize the songs. So, I’m bringing young people who are super cool and I’ll have a blast watching them have fun.

Q: What do you think of the competition in your category: Wyatt Cenac, Jay Mohr, Craig Ferguson and Louis C.K.?

A: Everyone is fully prepared to lose to Louis C.K. I think that’s fine. There’s no better person to lose to. Last time I lost to Flight of the Conchords and I don’t give a crap about them. But to lose to Louis is an honor and I love Jay Mohr, too. It’s a good group to be in.

Q: Any musicians you might be star struck to meet there?

A: Oh my god! I don’t meet anyone cool. I just see them from a distance and don’t say anything, even if we’re on the red carpet together. But my favorite in the whole world is Katy Perry.

Q: Great pic on Twitter of you and Parker for the Animal League calendar. What kind of a fellow is Parker?

A: The best, a mutt, so we’re not really sure. People think he’s a Yorkie-Chihuahua mix. He almost has the demeanor of a cat, but in a good way. He’s the best husband-companion.

Q: You look great. I understand you had gastric sleeve surgery. Were you concerned about going public with that?

A: Oh, no. I wanted to go public the first day but the doctor said wait two weeks. They don’t want you to die and people think it’s because of the surgery. It’s something to be proud of. I love it and if you know me at all, I can’t keep my mouth shut anyway.

Q: When you see you’re playing Sarasota, what’s the first thing that comes to mind?

A: Florida is the most white trash state in the whole union so I feel welcome.

Q: You got to know Donald Trump while finishing as a finalist on his show “Celebrity Apprentice” and you also roasted him. Do you think he’s qualified to be president?

A: Well, I don’t necessarily know about that. I hate to crap on Trump because he kept me on his show but let’s just say there will be a large influx of U.S. citizens to Vancouver if he’s elected.

Q: You included?

A: It’s very nice in Vancouver (laughs).

Q: You’ve done so many roasts. What’s your favorite?

A: The Trump one was up there. Flavor Flav, Gene Simmons, those are the ones that stand out to me because they’re guys that provide so much ammo.

Q: Going back now and watching the Chevy Chase roast, do you think maybe you guys went a bit too far?

A: No! Not far enough. I don’t know him and I didn’t play it safe and thank goodness I didn’t because it got me invited back. I think we were easy on him.

LISA LAMPANELLI
8 p.m. Friday; Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota; $35-$50; 941-953-3368; vanwezel.org

 

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