Stand-up comedy spotlight: Frank Failla
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Published by Sareth Ney on July 24, 2017 at 1:10 a.m.
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Photo Credit: Cathy Failla
Sareth Ney: What inspired you to perform stand-up comedy?
Frank Failla: I started comedy two years ago, at the age of 48. I will always try something new. I guess I was inspired to do comedy because I have always been funny. I used to "heckle" comics by "enhancing" their jokes. After a show—one of the comics came up to me and said, "You're very funny, you should take a class."
So about 20 years later, I took a comedy class with my son who was 15 at the time because I noticed he was a bit shy. I thought this would help him overcome that. I grew up a complete introvert and I did not want the same for him.
SN: What was the feeling like, when you first performed stand-up comedy?
FF: My first performance went from two extremes...I was terrified right before my set. There was a packed house. About 60 out of the 110 audience members were my family and friends. When I told my first joke and the audience laughed. It was like coming up for air after being underwater. Then, it turned to euphoria. It was such a rush. Like the adrenaline rushes I would get when I was a cop.
SN: What are your favorite comedy specials and record albums?
FF: I do not have any particular albums or specials that I like. I do not watch too much comedy, as I am fearful of being influenced and subconsciously stealing jokes.
SN: What are your favorite sketch shows, sitcoms and comedy films?
FF: Well, my favorite show is “The King Of Queens”. I also enjoy “The Honeymooners”, “Everybody Loves Raymond”, “The Odd Couple” and the older “Saturday Night Live”. “Better Off Dead” is one of my all-time favorite movies. I just really enjoy inane movies.
SN: If you could go on tour with any comedian, which one would you choose?
FF: If I can go on tour with any comic, I would choose Kevin James.
SN: If you could get roasted by five comedians (past or present), which ones would you choose?
FF: If I could be roasted by and comedians, I would choose (in no particular order): Jackie Gleason, Don Rickles, Kevin James, Eddie Murphy and Richard Pryor.
SN: Which other forms of comedy would you like to venture off into?
FF: I would like to study improv. I admire how an improv comic can take a situation and work out the funny. Ryan Stiles is hilarious.
SN: What experience would you like for your audience to take with them, after a set is over?
FF: I want the audience to walk away remembering the laughter. Life is too short and often we don't take enough time to stop and laugh.
SN: Where do you see your comedy career, in the next five years?
FF: I see my comedy career in five years as a headliner and becoming a nationally known comedian/actor.
SN: Where can the readers find you online and on social media?
FF: The readers can find me on Facebook at Frank Failla Comedy and Twitter @frankiefailla. I am currently working on a website.
Editor's note: This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.
Frank Failla: I started comedy two years ago, at the age of 48. I will always try something new. I guess I was inspired to do comedy because I have always been funny. I used to "heckle" comics by "enhancing" their jokes. After a show—one of the comics came up to me and said, "You're very funny, you should take a class."
So about 20 years later, I took a comedy class with my son who was 15 at the time because I noticed he was a bit shy. I thought this would help him overcome that. I grew up a complete introvert and I did not want the same for him.
SN: What was the feeling like, when you first performed stand-up comedy?
FF: My first performance went from two extremes...I was terrified right before my set. There was a packed house. About 60 out of the 110 audience members were my family and friends. When I told my first joke and the audience laughed. It was like coming up for air after being underwater. Then, it turned to euphoria. It was such a rush. Like the adrenaline rushes I would get when I was a cop.
SN: What are your favorite comedy specials and record albums?
FF: I do not have any particular albums or specials that I like. I do not watch too much comedy, as I am fearful of being influenced and subconsciously stealing jokes.
SN: What are your favorite sketch shows, sitcoms and comedy films?
FF: Well, my favorite show is “The King Of Queens”. I also enjoy “The Honeymooners”, “Everybody Loves Raymond”, “The Odd Couple” and the older “Saturday Night Live”. “Better Off Dead” is one of my all-time favorite movies. I just really enjoy inane movies.
SN: If you could go on tour with any comedian, which one would you choose?
FF: If I can go on tour with any comic, I would choose Kevin James.
SN: If you could get roasted by five comedians (past or present), which ones would you choose?
FF: If I could be roasted by and comedians, I would choose (in no particular order): Jackie Gleason, Don Rickles, Kevin James, Eddie Murphy and Richard Pryor.
SN: Which other forms of comedy would you like to venture off into?
FF: I would like to study improv. I admire how an improv comic can take a situation and work out the funny. Ryan Stiles is hilarious.
SN: What experience would you like for your audience to take with them, after a set is over?
FF: I want the audience to walk away remembering the laughter. Life is too short and often we don't take enough time to stop and laugh.
SN: Where do you see your comedy career, in the next five years?
FF: I see my comedy career in five years as a headliner and becoming a nationally known comedian/actor.
SN: Where can the readers find you online and on social media?
FF: The readers can find me on Facebook at Frank Failla Comedy and Twitter @frankiefailla. I am currently working on a website.
Editor's note: This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sareth Ney is the journalist for A Quarter and Dream Pictures. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communications and Center for New Media from Colorado State University-Pueblo. He is a former apprentice to master of horror, Clive Barker. He is a Wu-Tang Clan inspired superhero, Wu-Man Chu. He is an award-winning short filmmaker; his goal is to write 150 articles in select time zones, inducts every article into his hall of fame, is a stand-up comedian, motivational speaker, founder and co-host of Pueblo's Independent Multimedia Podcast and is the festival director at Sareth-Fest Music and Comedy Festival.
