BY PHONZ L. THOMAS

Comedy and music share a similar lifestyle more than many people would seem to believe, especially when it comes to Bridgeport, Connecticut native comedian Chris Clarke. Growing up Chris would watch sketch comedy shows such as “In Living Color” and “Saturday Night Live,” which served as the ammunition for his launching pad into a career in comedy. Having officially kicked his career off six years ago through performing at comedy clubs in Tri-state area, Chris made his nationwide debut while on an episode of BET Networks “106 & Park.” Since then, Chris has been touring the country performing at venues from New York to Los Angeles and sharing the stage with both comedy and music elites such as Mike Epps, Paul Mooney, Kevin Hart, Raheem DeVaughn, Ne_Yo and Trey Songz. When he’s not on stage performing, he’s heading up his own advice column on Dr. Jay’s Live web site, hosting red carpet events at the Urban World Film Festival in New York City, and something called “Chris Knows Best.” Full Blast Magazine had a chance to catch up with the hard working comedian and discuss both comedy and music while Chris Clarke was on some downtime in between touring.

How do you come up with fresh content for each show you perform?

Chris Clarke: Well it depends on what jokes I feel like talking about. I get material from different things; sometimes people just say funny shit. I use to go into this community college and go to the cafeteria to just blend in! (Laughs) I would rock a book bag like I go there and just talk to them and they just tell me about shit that’s going on in their lives, their teachers, and how broke there are. Mostly I like to watch a serious movie like a drama, sci-fi or even a love movie. Movies drop some serious jewels on life, the writer and directors are deep! So sometimes I take what they’re trying to say and put it in a comical form.

Is performing comedy similar to performing music? 

Chris Clarke: Hell yeah, because like a singer and a rapper, before the host calls your name your back stage pumped, kind of like Russell Crowe’s character in “Gladiator.” You come out and take on the crowd all by yourself with one sword no shield. You tell jokes, the crowd goes nuts, you say a rhyme that everyone likes, and the crowd goes nuts!

Who have been some of your influences?

Chris Clarke: Believe it or not Jim Carey, Whoopi Goldberg, Redd Foxx, (Richard) Pryor and (Bernie) Mac. Love Carey cause of his improv skills and high energy. That’s how I use to be in class I could mimic people and do animal gestures. I was always an outcast. Whoopi’s elaborating story telling skills, ‘cause I can paint a good story. Mac also could tell a good story, if something pisses him off he’d show it.

How did you feel when Bernie Mac died?

Chris Clarke: Like my next door neighbor died that I used to cut his grass for free and he paid me in some jokes, you know. Bernie was super dope! He did achieve a lot before he died though. I remember seeing “The Kings of Comedy” on DVD and on the outtakes he said ‘please give me my own show white people I promise I won’t fuck it up,’ and he ended up getting his own show and it was syndicated. Dope!

Is comedy performed in movies as free as comedy performed on stage, or do you feel like there are certain limitations?

Chris Clarke: Yeah because some jokes only can be put in a skit. But live comedy is dope cause it’s like reading a book, it just sucks you in and you can paint the picture on what the comic is talking about or he or she can explain it so detailed. Sweet!

What exactly is “Chris Knows Best”?

Chris Clarke: “Chris Knows Best” is just my mental ass going around the city asking people random or touchy questions that people don’t feel comfortable answering and if they do answer it correctly, I act like they said or mean something else and say that instead. It’s just me acting silly, or like me asking someone about baseball with football gear on helmet and all. Also, people can submit questions about anything they might need help with, and I give a different outlook on the situation.

Who do you think is better – Nicki Minaj or Lil’ Kim?

Chris Clarke: Lyrically Kim was dope! But that was back in the days! Her image don’t look right anymore. She had a long run though. It’s crazy cause Kim says Nicki stole her style, well you stole Dancehall singer Lady Saw style and she didn’t say anything! Nicki is ok to me now, I didn’t like her when she first went main stream I couldn’t stand that annoying shit she did with her voice. (Laughs)

Would you ever participate in a Comedy Central Roast?

Chris Clarke: I would love to.  I would be on some different ‘ish. I would roast like the car insurance people, garbage men, and credit card collectors. (Laughs)

What are your thoughts on comedians like Mike Epps who have crossed over into the music world as well? Can we take comedians seriously as musicians?

Chris Clarke: I don’t mind as long as they keep it funny. Please don’t get serious and talk about the blocks you use to have and how many people you shot. Cause were not gonna believe you dude!

What do you have lined up next?

Chris Clarke: Smashing out some celebrity bitch! (Laughs) No sir! Just try to get “Chris Knows Best” popped off. I would love to do film and do my half hour special on HBO. But for now you can catch me at The Laugh Lounge “Certifiable Nuts” on Friday the 10:30 p.m. show. Also follow me on Twitter: @ChrisClarke203 and Facebook.