From Friedlander’s instagram account, judahworldchamp.
Judah Friedlander would like to talk to you about #BlackLivesMatter and reproductive rights.
He’s also a comedian.
The Gaithersburg, Maryland native returns home this weekend with an appearance at the DC Improv. Perhaps best known for his role as Frank Rossitano on NBC’s 30 Rock, the comedian got his start in the District before moving to New York City.
“The first time I ever did stand up was in 1989, in D.C. at a club that no longer exists called Garvin’s,” Friedlander recalls. “I’d started writing jokes when I was 16, but I was 19 when I first went up there.”
He’s come a long way since then. Friedlander’s notable film and television appearances include stints as Toby Radloff on 2002’s American Splendor and as one of the many talking heads on VH1’s Best Week Ever. This year he’s been working on a new album and stand-up special tackling American exceptionalism in today’s political climate.
“I don’t use the term political. It’s really more social commentary,” Friedlander said. “My act for the past few years has been satirizing US foreign and domestic policy. The album and special I’m working on is called America Is The Greatest Country In The United States, which should give you an idea of the theme.”
He’s known for his signature look, with the iconic trucker hats and the Dusty Rhodes-esque vintage DIY typography tees, but that casual exterior masks a decidedly more thoughtful bent to his on stage work. Friedlander capitalizes on his own easygoing nature to confront audiences with issues in a non-combative way. With recent shows, he’s utilized the central conceit of himself “standing for president,” opening up the floor to audience members as if in a town hall scenario, allowing him to address race, women’s issues and other topics on the American consciousness.
“With my comedy I’ve always liked doing twisted, dark stuff, but its mostly been self-created stuff, not related to topical things. I still try to keep things not topical, but unfortunately, issues like health care, women’s rights, black people’s rights, Native American people’s rights…they’re not topical issues. They’re just always there.”
While comics like John Oliver continue to move into a more journalistic role, using their comedy to inform a new generation jaded by major news outlets, Friedlander merely hopes to get a conversation going with audiences that are beginning to see more of the world than television used to show.
“With so much of the mainstream media, the main issue at stake is money, which means ratings. It’s not about covering the news so much. With technology and social media, people are seeing stories online or on Twitter that the news just isn’t covering.”
He had hoped to have the special out by before Election Day, but has taken a different approach to the production, veering into the kind of territory familiar to comics like Louis CK.
“I’m self-producing this thing, which I haven’t done before. Artistically, I just felt like it was the better way to go. Well, I don’t know if it’ll end up being better, but it will at least be a more honest representation of my act.”
Since it remains unfinished, he may do some additional filming at the Improv during this round of shows. Local audiences may get to be a part of the finished product, due sometime before the end of the year.
Judah Friedlander performs from October 6-8 at the DC Improv (1140 Connecticut Avenue NW). Tickets are $20, with a two-item minimum.
