Categorized | Entertainment, Featured

Steve-O bringing stand-up, stunts to Hilo stage (Jan. 22)

(Photo courtesy of Steve-O)

Karin Stanton | Hawaii 24/7

Steve-O, self-professed Jackass, is bringing his stand-up comedy show to Hilo for one night.

His journey from skateboarder to circus clown to stunt master has culminated in a comedy tour “Too Much Information” that includes lots of banter about his adventures and some live stunts on stage.

During a telephone interview Friday, Jan. 13 from California, Steve-O said whether he is swallowing live goldfish, stapling body parts together or talking to audiences about his life, ultimately he’s just a performer.

“What’s important is we’re all laughing and we’re amused. That’s the measure,” he said. “I never liked work; I never liked school. Entertaining people is in my blood. I’m an attention whore.”

Turning his life’s journey into a life show just seemed like the next step, he said.

“Every chapter of my life has contributed to this show. It’s all just part of me,” he said. “I want to make people laugh. I want to do stunts that are impressive and dangerous. That makes me happy.”

Now 37 and sober since 2008, Steve-O said he has two goals for his live shows.

“I want people to say ‘his comedy is a lot funnier than I thought’ and ‘holy shit, he’s still crazy,'” he said. “It’s so rewarding to make people laugh. Over the last 10 years, my life has taken so many turns that are ridiculous. I’m obligated to share it.”

While he readily admits he loves the spotlight, he’s also happy to stick around after the curtain comes down.

“At the end of every show, I promise everybody who wants one, gets a photo and gets to ask questions,” he said. “That’s paying my dues and that’s the difference between going to a show and having a memorable night.”

Coming up with the next dare-devil move comes fairly easily to Steve-O.

“You think of something you have wanted to do and then you do it,” he said. “The ideas come up pretty organic. Sometimes they come in dreams. The pressure to get crazy footage overrides common sense a lot of times.”

Although many of the stunts are physical, Steve-O acknowledges he has put some pretty nasty things in his mouth. “Dog shit. That was probably the grossest.”

Pushing himself to the limit has never been a problem for a guy who started accidentally knocking out his baby teeth as soon as they grew in and was doing skateboard stunts in his early teens..

“Once you reach a point of scared, you’ve kind of maxed out,” he said. “And if you do something, then I don’t feel a need to do it again. There’s plenty of stuff I wouldn’t do again.”

Steve-O is careful to issue the ‘don’t try this at home’ warning.

“I don’t recommend that people do what I do. I’d never encourage people to do what I do,” he said. “Maybe it’s because I don’t want to share the spotlight. But if you are into it, pick one and do it. Just do what you want to do. ”

With all the visits to emergency rooms, his medical bills must pile high.

“I don’t worry about insurance,” he said. “I just worry that they won’t want to pay.”

And lasting effects on his body?

“I have some areas that are sensitive,” he admitted, “but overall I’m good.”

Steve-O said he is grateful for a supportive family.

“My family has known I’ve always been on this path. I never wanted to be compared to anybody and I didn’t want to get lost in the world of skateboarders,” he said. “My family is happy that I’ve had some success. But I tell them about stunts in the past tense.”

He was born in London and by the age of 12, had lived in five countries and communicated fluently in three different languages. He holds citizenship in three countries – the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

After a year at the University of Miami, Steve-O enrolled in Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Clown College, intending to become a professional stuntman.

He eventually caught the eye of director/producer Jeff Tremaine who was working with Johnny Knoxville to create a stunt based reality show. MTV aired the first season of Jackass in 2000 and the show has spawned several spin-offs and three movies.

In 2009, he competed on ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars,” and lasted six weeks, despite suffering a back injury and having virtually no dancing ability whatsoever.

Steve-O’s show opens with sets by Ed Kaahea (from Booga Booga), Kaleo Pilanca, Chino LaForge.

“Too Much Information”

* 8 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 22 at Palace Theatre, 38 Haili St., Hilo (Doors open at 7 p.m.) Suitable for 17+ ages (unless with an adult)
Tickets: $35 Advance
Available at CD Wizard (Hilo) and www.hightideconcerts.net

— Find out more:
www.steveo.com

(Photo courtesy of Steve-O)

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