The comedian known as just ANT tells us about how he chose that name, (Andromeda?), about his pre-comedy career (Lynda Carter, yes, WonderWoman, got him fired!) and how he stranded his parents in Europe!

Join ANT and AmericasComedy.Com’s correspondent, Carin Beede as he was preparing to go on stage in celebration of pride week at Sacramento State University (Sac State according to ANT).

A special thank you to Zenia LaPorte, Director of Sacramento State’s UNIQUE program.

Doug Benson began performing stand-up in San Francisco when he was 22 years old, after some friends pushed him to try it out.

With comics Arj Barker and Tony Camin, Benson co-created the show “The Marijuana-Logues” -  a play on Eve Ensler’s “Vagina Monologues.” Except, obviously, about weed. The show was well reviewed and found an enthusiastic audience, running for a year Off-Broadway in New York. “The Marijuana-Logues” was later turned into both a CD and book.

Surprisingly, despite his connection with pot, Benson did not actually try the drug until he was 27 years old. In 2006, he was named “Stoner of the Year” by High Times magazine. Benson resides in California, which has a law allowing medical marijuana. Benson has a card that certifies he can use pot for medicinal purposes.

Alongside being voted High Times’ “Stoner of the Year,” in 2006, Benson also created and produced a documentary called, “Super High Me,” which won the award for best documentary at the Stoney Awards in 2008.

Benson is also the co-creator of The Marijuana-Logues and appears regularly on VH1’s Best Week Ever, all while staying atop the stand up comedy circuit. He also had a Comedy Central Special come out last month and released his “Professional Humoredian” CD in 2007. His work ethic seems more like that of a methhead then a pothead to us here at SacramentoComedy, so here’s our attempt to straighten things out..

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Headlines October 14 – 16

John Caparulo was born and raised in East Liverpool, Ohio (with a 7-year stint in North Canton), and began his stand-up career in 1997. His sharp wit, unique delivery, and affinity for cuss words made him a crowd favorite right off the bat. After graduating from Kent State University, he left behind a lucrative career patching potholes to take his talent to the left coast.

There he spent the next four years working the door at the world famous Comedy Store and cutting grass at a local golf course. Cap’s first big break came at the 2003 Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal, where he impressed the industry observers enough to offer him a sitcom deal. It was then he was able to trade in his weed-whacker for a microphone full-time. He then applied his blue collar work ethic to the stage, where he now performs nearly 365 nights a year.

In recent years, Cap’s simple approach to life and comedy has landed him 3 appearances on The Tonight Show, a half-hour special on Comedy Central, and a spot on the Next Generation of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour (DVD in stores NOW!!). In 2008, Cap was featured as one of the four comedians on Vince Vaughn’s Wild West Comedy Show, which hit theaters in February and is now available on DVD. He also recently finished hosting the first season of MOBILE HOME DISASTER on CMT.

Yes, John Caparulo is living proof that you really can do something with your life even if you don’t wake up before noon!!

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Gilbert Esquivel is a unique voice in stand-up comedy, able to entertain an audience of inner-city youth to a room of senior citizens without missing a beat. His ability to ad-lib has made him a favorite of many television producers to warm-up studio audiences for such shows as American Idol, Dancing with the stars, Star Search, The Tom Joyner television show, The Daytime Emmy’s and many more.

Gilbert started his stand-up career at The Ice House comedy club. He’s also appeared on, BET’s Comicview, Laffapalooza, Que Locos and the Tom Joyner Show. Gilbert won the first Latino comedy search just two years into his comedy and went to perform on such stages as the Apollo Theater to Caesars palace in Las Vegas.

He has also performed in many Churches, prisons and Universities throughout the country, sharing his experiences of growing up all over the United States as a Migrant worker.

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Also Appearing: Andrew Norelli

In October of 2007, Paul Ogata won the prestigious San Francisco International Comedy Competition, joining the pantheon of comedy greats, including Dana Carvey, Doug Stanhope, Jake Johannsen and Sinbad.

Paul has appeared on CBS’ “The Late Late Show” and in the Damon Wayans movie, “Behind The Smile” and “Porndogs” with Ron Jeremy and Paul Rodriguez.

Paul’s act has garnered rave reviews across the globe, as he headlines shows from Tokyo to Times Square, from Hollywood to Hong Kong. The South China Morning Post says, “Paul’s cherubic grin belies a wicked funny streak.” Midweek Magazine says “Ogata delivers with machine-gun speed and precision, spraying the room with non-stop laughs!” But you’ll probably say, “How did this guy win that thing in San Francisco? And what the heck is a ‘pantheon’?”

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Rapidly becoming one of the most talked about comedians, Arnez J’s charisma and physical agility are unforgettable. His unparalleled form of physical comedy, strong on body language and animation, has been known to evoke standing ovations from crowds at the comedy clubs and concert halls he performs in across the country.

Arnez was most recently seen as co-host of BET’s  signature standup comedy series “Comic View”  for the show’s 2002-2003 season. And last fall, Comedy Central premiered his ½ hour comedy special “Comedy Central Presents: Arnez J.”

An audience favorite, Arnez’s one-hour comedy special for BET  was named one of the highest rated comedy special on the network. Arnez continues his success by constantly hitting top comedy clubs, universities and concert arenas across the country.

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Headlines October 16 Th For One Night Only!

From Comedy Central and “Chelsea Lately”

Jo Koy has been filling clubs across the nation and has is seen weekly as a regular guest on Chelsea Lately. Jo Koy has come a long way from his modest start performing at a Las Vegas coffee house. His infectiously explosive energy on stage, insightful jokes and family inspired humor cross all boundaries and led Daily Variety to name him one of the “10 Comics to Watch”.

Born in Tacoma, Washington, Jo credits his mother for his comedic and acting talents. Growing up, his mother constantly encouraged him to take part in school talent shows or present impromptu performances for his family and friends. This encouragement led to the Las Vegas coffee house, then a move to Los Angeles, and finally a performance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno in 2005. He became one of a select
few to ever receive a standing ovation on the show.

Since his Tonight Show performance, Jo was part of Carlos Mencia’s “Punisher Tour” in 2006. He has appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Last Call with Carson Daly, BET’s Comic View, Jamie Foxx Presents: Laffapalooza, and appeared in various VH1 I Love the 70′s, 80′s and 90′s episodes. His Comedy Central special “Don’t Make Him Angry” aired in January, 2009 and is now available on DVD. He is a regular featured comedian at the world famous Improv, tours the college circuit nationwide and performs in comedy clubs both in the US and internationally.

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Headlines October 7 – 9

Ever since Chicago native Aries Spears was 14 years old, he has been a force to be reckoned with in the comedy scene throughout America. His quick wit, charisma and ferociously aggressive style of comedy have earned him critical acclaim, high accolades, and above all, a busy schedule. From being a regular on Fox’s Mad TV, starring in feature films, appearing on a number of national talk shows, and continually touring the country with his stand-up, Aries’s talents are becoming recognized and appreciated throughout the entertainment industry.

As a principal cast member on Fox’s hit sketch comedy show Mad TV, Aries brought a fresh, hip style to the already-edgy program from the third through the tenth season. The producers made full use of many of Aries’s talents by calling on him frequently to create new hilarious characters and write sketches. Some of the many recurring characters that Aries is famous for on the show include: Belma Buttons, Bill Cosby, Jesse Jackson, Mike Tyson, Walter (Crackheads), Reggie (Erascist), Dollar Bill Montgomery, Shaquille O’Neal, The Klumps, Michael Jackson, Sisqo, Evander Holyfield, El Diablo Negro and more. Aries also boasts a number of uproarious impersonations on the show that include James Brown, Al Pacino, and his childhood idol Eddie Murphy. The Aries-branded sketch “Talkin’ American” was Mad TV’s most popular bit, keeping fans tuned in and boosting Mad’s ratings impressively on Saturday night.

Aries has also found great success in the world of feature films. At the age of 17, after being spotted in a comedy club, Aries landed a part in the movie Home of Angels, which also starred Abe Vigoda and Sherman Helmsley, but never saw a theatrical release. He then appeared in Out-of-Sync, and portrayed Red Foxx in Warner Bros.’s Why Do Fools Fall In Love. In addition, Aries starred alongside John Leguizamo in TriStar’s The Pest and delivered his most notable performance to date as Cuba Gooding, Jr.’s brother in Columbia’s blockbuster hit Jerry Maguire.

Aries was born on April 3, 1975 in Chicago but grew up in New Jersey. He remembers at the young age of six being the funnyman of the household and impersonating family members at the dinner table during holidays. By age 14, Aries was belting out his fresh stylings in front of paying audiences at local clubs around his hometown. Shortly thereafter, he appeared on Russell Simmons’s Def Comedy Jam on HBO and Showtime at the Apollo. The word was out about the prodigal superstar from then on, and in 1992, Aries moved to Los Angeles. He quickly landed a recurring role on NBC’s A Different World, and was signed to a huge development deal at one of the major television studios. The following year, Aries found himself starring in the short-lived CBS series South of Sunset with former Eagles guitarist Glenn Frey. Although the series didn’t last long, it did not discourage other networks from tapping Aries’s talents for their projects, as he soon appeared in Crosstown Traffic and Brisco County, Jr. for Fox. Ultimately, Aries’s fierce momentum landed him on Mad TV as a series regular, where he thrived for eight seasons.

Aries continues to spread his comedic wings with the development of feature film projects, which he is currently involved in writing. He is presently developing a feature project based on an original character that he created on Mad TV, as well as a thriller about a young black man immersed in hip-hop culture. Additionally, Aries has made appearances on many talk shows including: Loveline, Vibe, Keenen Ivory Wayans, Soul Train, and Late Friday. He has also lent his voice to an animated character on C-Bear and Jamal and had a recurring stint on Fox’s The Best Damn Sports Show Period, where he created some of the show’s funniest characters during his short time there.

Aries maintains a strong connection to his African roots and is involved in many charitable events, including a number of organizations that help abused women. He feels blessed to have been able to achieve everything that he has, but he in no way intends on stopping there. Given the extreme growing success rate of action comedies coming out of Hollywood, it’s safe to say that Aries Spears will be in demand for quite some time.

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Ruben Paul is one of the most unique and versatile comedians working today. His irrepressible energy, quick wit, and vivid story telling take audiences on a hilarious ride from beginning to end. This was evident in his recent stand out performance on George Lopez’s new hit Talk Show, “Lopez Tonight” on TBS. He became the 2nd comedian ever to perform on the show, and the first black comedian.

Ruben talks honestly about his life, and has insightful observations that bring audiences together no matter their age, race, creed, or color. In 2009, he was hand picked by Russell Peters to perform on the Showtime Network Special, “Russell Peters Presents”, which exposed him to a brand new international audience. Other Stand Up appearances include: CBS’ “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson”, “Comics Unleashed” on ABC, “HBO’s Comedy Showcase, “NBC’s “Friday Nights”, and B.E.T’s “Comic View”, just to name a few.

Ruben was born and raised in Carson, California which is one of the most diverse cities in the Los Angeles area. “I grew up in an all black neighborhood, went to an all Mexican high school, went to an all white church and shopped at a lot of Asian stores,” he quips. Ruben’s upbringing was the foundation for his universal appeal. His undeniable charisma, and spontaneity make him a crowd favorite every where he goes.

Ruben’s talents have garnered him many honors including being chosen as one of the “Best of the fest Comics”at HBO’s prestigious U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, Colorado. Ruben has also toured extensively with Jamie Foxx, George Lopez, and Cedric The Entertainer. As well as performing for U.S. troops around the world.

As well as being a gifted Stand Up Comedian, he is also a very accomplished actor with guest star appearances on “The Jamie Foxx Show” and a recurring role on “Pensacola Wings of Gold.” Ruben can be seen in such films as “Ground Control” with Kiefer Sutherland and “Deliver Us from Eva” with actor/rap sensation LL Cool J and the lovely Gabrielle Union. Ruben Paul is a star on the rise and a great performer, that you definitely don’t want to miss.

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