Most, if not all, articles about comedian Brian Regan cite that his work is clean. He doesn’t litter his stand-up routine with swear words and raunchy material.
Keeping things clean does open Regan up to a wider audience, but the decision to avoid blue material was not some master plan he had. It’s just how Regan works.
“In fact, it’s kind of a weird trait that is more important to others than it is to me,” said Regan from his home in Las Vegas. “It’s not something that I ever tout myself. To me, clean is a medium more than it is having something to do with wholesomeness. A painter might like to use acrylics. As a comedian, I like to do clean comedy. I just enjoy it.”
| If You Go |
| Brian Regan |
| Where: Warner Theatre, 513 13th St. NW |
| When: 8 p.m. Friday; 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday |
| Info: $39.50 to $49.50; warnertheatredc.com |
Regan performs May 18 and 19 at the Warner Theatre.
Staying clean became easier as Regan’s career progressed.
“I’m in venues now where people are focused and they kind of know who I am,” Regan said. “They have a ticket that hopefully has my name on it. It’s easier for me to do the kind of comedy I like to do now. Years ago, I would play comedy clubs and bars. It was more challenging to try to do clean comedy in those atmospheres, especially if the other comedians are working blue and the audience starts thinking that way. Once somebody throws the F word in there 57 times in their show, it’s kind of hard to go up there and tell them about sprinkles on Pop-Tarts.
“When I’m off stage, I’m capable of saying some pretty horrific things,” Regan added, suggesting he might have a few choice words out on the golf course. “You’re going to hear some stuff that doesn’t make it into my act.”
A Miami native, Regan became interested in comedy while taking a speech class at Heidelberg College in Ohio. He made classmates laugh to avoid boredom and liked the feeling he had after class.
Regan attended college to pursue a degree in accounting and play football. But he caught the comedy bug.
“It’s something that got into my bones,” said Regan. “There’s an electric feeling almost. You’ve made a connection with other people. You’ve made them laugh. It’s really intense.”
Regan has had a number of specials and live releases, the most recent “All By Myself,” available through his website brianregan.com.
Despite a wide appeal and a growing popularity, the 54-year-old never made many inroads in film and television.
“I wanted it to be about the comedy,” Regan said. “Because of that it’s been a little bit more challenging for me to get a TV kind of thing. For me, I enjoy the comedy itself. Fame doesn’t interest me. If I could get my comedy famous, that would be great, but I’m more interested in that than me becoming famous.”
