Success of ‘Last Comic Standing’ revives Jay Mohr's acting career
By KELLY WILSON
Get Out

“People think I did a reality show instead of making movies. But the sad truth is, I made a reality show because I wasn't getting any movies,’’ Jay Mohr says.

“I needed to keep making money and stay relevant,’’ the actor and comedian says of NBC's ‘‘Last Comic Standing,’’ which he co-created, hosts and produces. ‘‘It worked.’’

When asked if he has any favorite comedians from the last two seasons, Mohr — who is best known for his role as a smarmy rival sports agent opposite Tom Cruise in “Jerry Maguire” — doesn't hold back.

“I love Dave Mordal,’’ he says of the season one comic. “Dave Mordal is very honest.’’

And season two?

“Todd Glass,’’ he says of his former neighbor. “We lived in the Hollywood Hills next door to each other and he used to always pee outside, because it's very deserted up in the hills.

‘‘I'd pull out of my driveway at night or in the morning and I'd see him standing out in the street peeing. And I said, ‘I don't get you. Why do you do this?’

“He lived on the first floor of a three-story house and the bathroom was on the third floor. And he said, ‘I don’t want to walk up two flights, three flights of stairs every time I have to pee because I drink a lot of water.’

“Then one day I was at his house and we were watching football in his room and I had to pee and I thought, ‘I'm not walking up those stairs.’ The next thing you know, I'm standing out in the street with him, peeing.’’

Mohr — who is a fan of NBC's “The Apprentice” — says he wasn't thrilled when NBC decided to have contestants from seasons one and two battle it out.

“If it's not broke, don't fix it,’’ he says. “Don't complicate winning. The network says, ‘We'd like it to be all stand-up comedy, because the ratings go down a little bit when the comics move into the house. America loves stand-up comedy, so give us a hybrid version of the show with just stand-up comedy.'

‘‘So we do that, and of course we're worried that it might damage the franchise.’’

Chances are, Mohr will most likely be able to rest assured. His show was nominated for an Emmy in the best reality competition program category (but lost to “The Amazing Race”).

“I had so much more fun at the Emmys than I ever thought I could have,’’ Mohr says. “I sat across from Angela Lansbury and Tom Selleck. By the way, Tom Selleck is hot. Holy moly, I'd sleep with that guy.’’

In addition to hosting “Last Comic Standing 3,’’ Mohr has two films coming out: “Are We There Yet?” with Ice Cube and “King’s Ransom” with Anthony Anderson, which will be released in December and January, respectively.

He also has been promoting his book “Gasping For Airtime: Two Years in the Trenches of Saturday Night Live,” a memoir of his “SNL” experience.
































 
 


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