MIKE POLK JR.
Mike Polk Jr. has made his name in sketch and online video as well as being a television host in Cleveland before taking on stand-up. Something he’s quickly become prolific at. He’s from Cleveland and damn proud of that fact. It’s something that has been fueling his comedy fire since day one.
It’s safe to say that Cleveland sports are a part of the reason why you are where you are today when it comes to comedy. They provide more than enough material for you year after year. And this has lead you to being a part of Uproarious. Not to mention you’re a viral video machine and your stand-up is great my friend. When did you discover comedy?
Well, with this into, I don’t’ think this interview is going to get any better so if it’s cool, I’m just going to duck out right now. Thank you for having me.
I feel like every comic has a very similar origin story. Probably back in 6th grade, out of self-defense I developed a sense of humor as a gawky red-haired kid with horrible acne and braces. And mind you, had to wear head gear to school. My options weren’t great. So I developed a sense of humor out of necessity. After that I went to Kent State University and started doing stuff on their TV station. As for stand-up, I didn’t really start doing that until recently. I was doing mostly just TV stuff back then. A lot of sketch and videos as well. Stand-up kicked in once my sketch group teammates all got married and moved on with their lives. And I was left without anyone to wear wigs with. Hence the stand-up.
Now did you ironically wear red-headed wigs while doing sketch back then? Or did you opt out for what life would have been like had you not had red hair?
I was already ready regardless if we ever had to do any sketches involving clowns. It was an easier transition for me.
It’s interesting that stand-up came your way more as a necessity because you were already a host first. Usually it’s the other way around right? And was it harder doing it that way?
Yeah, I mean, I was incredibly nervous that first time. I can still remember it. I mean, I do think I was at a real advantage because I had done all of that Improv, Sketch, and hosting. And so I got all of that experience early on. I can only imagine how terrifying it would be to do it for the first time being on that stage all alone vs. with a bunch of people. I already knew how to project and where to put my body. And probably had a little better sense of timing as well.
So does the original closer still exist for you? Does it still linger?
I wish I could even make something up but I just don’t know. But I do know, in fact I’m sure it was just awful. There was defining silence. I do recall that. And I’m pretty sure it was incredibly gross and over the top because in the beginning you think that’s what you have to do. I mean, it was about 10 years ago, and chances are it would have gotten me sent to “PC Jail” at this point. Let’s just say I’m glad the Jezebel blog didn’t exist back then and nobody had camera phones pointed at me.
Now Kent State is no stranger to stand-ups. Steve Byrne also went there as did John Caparulo.
Yeah. The University churned out some really funny dudes. I have a bunch of friends out there. Jason Lawhead and Ryan Dalton. So yeah, we’ve got a decent crew representing out there.
My entire family would be disappointed in me if I didn’t ask you about the Cleveland Tourism videos. Do you look at it as your version of Radiohead’s “Creep”, wrote it in 5 minutes, and now everyone wants you to make 500 of these?
I mean, there were a variety of emotions when those blew up. Overall though, I wasn’t too riled up. I had already been doing stuff for a while and had some previous successful videos go viral. And man, when are we going to do something about that term, viral, I hate that so much. And it’s not your fault, there’s just no other term. It’s me too. I say it.
I just think with these videos it was interesting because it was just so regionalized. A video with 2million views could easily just be spread out throughout the country. These were just in Cleveland. I did catch a lot of flak for them here in town. But I did however get a lot of “at-a-boys.” I just never knew that if I was approached at a bar if someone was going to buy me a beer or take a swing at me. So, I did have a few adventurous years there.
The nice thing was, even though are from the same neck of the woods, I learned a lot about Cleveland History despite what they tried to force upon us in Ohio History class.
Haha, well, my main goal was to educate!
You find yourself on TV these days and you are on the Radio as well. Comedy has become this multi-headed multi-platform beast for you. Is it hard to juggle all of those or is it just how your brain works?
The only real problem is knowing how much time to devote to each thing because you don’t want everything to be just garbage. The content can suffer if you don’t focus a little bit. That’s the hardest thing to balance. However, I’d go crazy if I only did stand-up or if I only made videos or if I only did sketch. So it’s cool that I can move around to stay sane. And that’s just how my mind works. And with all that said, I still pretty unambitious man. I’m doing the bare minimum with all of those things. Believe me, I have plenty of time to sit around and watch Stranger Things.
With all of the credits you’ve been able to acquire, all of the goals you’ve been able to achieve and all of the notoriety you’ve received, if you were able to take all of that back in time to 6th grade, is there someone you’d give the double point to and head nod and say, “What’s up?” You should have gotten on the train a while ago.
I would go right up to my crush in grade school Kendra Bailey who had forsaken me. And I would show her my impressive Wikipedia page that I edit every single day to make sure that it’s accurate. And I would say, “Look at this you almost toddler.” “Look at this, you could have had all of this.” “Look at this grown man yelling at you and pointing at a thing that doesn’t exist yet a you can’t comprehend.” And she’d be like, “What?” And then I guess I’d just walk away.
Now did Kendra get extra Valentine’s Day cards from you?
I actually still drop one off every year to where she and her family lives. She has three lovely kids and I wish them all well. Actually, to be fair, I don’t have a clue where she lives… just to be clear.
Now, not to toot our own horns and list a bunch of famous people that have come from our hometown, what do you think it is about Warren, OH that makes for a good celebrity?
The brightest diamonds are created under the heaviest pressure. And in this case, the pressure at times was pretty horrifying. The representation of the collapse of Youngstown, OH as a steel town. And all of the horrific crimes and insecurities and corruption and everything that came with that. Maybe that has something to do with it. Maybe it’s good to not have a cushy life I guess.
I couldn’t agree more. You have to find a way to dig out of your surroundings, your atmosphere, and your environment. And it forces creativity and the passion to strive for greater things.
I agree, and it gives you a perspective that you wouldn’t have had otherwise.
Now you are a part of the premiere episode of Fuse’s new series Uproarious. What can we expect from your performance?
I got to be honest, we taped that a while ago and I was so drunk. I’m really not even certain. I do remember it going relatively well. And I don’t remember getting booed off stage. I think I’d remember that. So I think it was a fine performance. It’s normal stuff. I did some typical yuk-um-ups. I did end it on a song and I think I pissed off all of the other comedians because comics don’t like music being used in comedy.
So even though you say you aren’t busy, perception is reality. What are you working on these days beyond what we’ve already discussed?
I do have a couple of things coming up and not to be dooshy, but I’m not supposed to talk about them. So I can’t yet, but I look forward to a second conversation with you when we do that. So for now, I still work at the FOX affiliate in Cleveland. I do sports and stuff for them. And I’m trying to get them to let me do a Christmas Special like one of the old ones from the 70’s. I just want people to keep coming in and brush fake snow off of their shoulders like they just “showed up.” “Wayne Newton, what are you doing here? Want to sing a song?” I want to do that, but just Cleveland based. It won’t make me any money and will completely waste my time, but those are the projects I look forward to the most.
Fingers crossed for Big Chuck and Little John!
Well, they do work at the same station as me and they’re still kicking it! That’s a primary focus for me. I’ve got to get this parody X-mas special done.
Well, the good news is that Cleveland has the Christmas weather from October to April so there’s plenty of time to shoot it throughout the year.
Exactly.
