 by Ron Albanese
I like bananas; they're naturally funny. There's the shape issue, which has launched a thousand phallic jokes. There's the fact that in a bunch they're hard to hold. In Brazil banana juice is readily available in cartons. What's not to like?
I dig AJ. He's naturally funny. He's given to fast quips, with an overall repartee that's simultaneously retro and in the now. A few years ago he slipped into a foam-filled banana suit and started aping Poison guitarist C.C. DeVille's shtick in front of about 8,000 of the guy's fans and they loved it. "C.C. Banana" was born, and after the laughter, high-fives, and hugs from adoring females, it was clear he was meant for more.
Next, in his disguise as C.C. Banana, AJ hit the general rock scene, "interviewing" people (it's all just improv) and catching it all on video. The result was the uproarious Backstage Banana vid, which (plug on) is available right now (plug off).
The C.C. Banana thing works for AJ, not because he needs it, but because it's subversive; everyone is drawn to the big yellow suit and is then subjected to AJ's nutty comedy. It's an element of familiarity (i.e. the fruit recognition) mixed with surprise (this fruit is wise-cracking) that wins 'em over every time. In short, for AJ, the banana suit fits like ... a banana suit.
The following are some queries I sent AJ's way. He answered them, and then answered them some more. Have a piece of fruit and read on.
1. How long have you been performing, and who / what are you influences?
I've been performing for as long as I can remember! I've always loved to make people laugh, it's the best feeling in the world. Even as a kid I'd rope my cousins into putting on impromptu plays at holiday gatherings. I'd write the stories on the spot and we'd act them out for the family. One Thanksgiving in the mid-eighties, we came up with a series of 5 or 6 comedy skits about the very first Thanksgiving, culminating in the mass slaughter of Pilgrim and Indian by Arnold Schwarzenegger as the Terminator!
As far as influences, I've always admired those who could create humor without benefit of a script. From the stand-up comic who breaks set to comment on something in the audience, to the late night TV host coming up with amusing quips to his sidekick and guests, to the improv performers who somehow create comedic masterpieces from audience suggestion, all have greatly influenced how I approach my act.
2. Describe your comedy style, in another way than you may have above:
My comedy style is largely improvisational. I struggled with stand-up for years before finally coming to the realization that I am truly at my most uninhibited when I am entirely unprepared. The more I try to construct humor in advance, the more it just ends up sucking. So now most of the time I fly by the seat of my pants and hope nobody throws stuff at me.
3. Do you have any other "characters" besides C.C. Banana?
 How kind of you to ask! Yes, C.C. Banana will soon be joined in my pantheon of unlikely alter egos by a character inspired by two longtime favorites -- Kiss and Star Wars.
He's not Darth Maul.
He's not Paul Stanley.
He is...
MAUL STANLEY!
He's evil, but he rocks.
Maul Stanley will make his debut as host of the upcoming comedic documentary, Episode Too. It chronicles the events of the Star Wars 25th Anniversary Celebration with a wickedly humorous slant. It's very much like a C.C. Banana video, but I wear red spandex and suck in my gut a lot more. We're currently editing the project and plan to release it sometime before the galactic saga concludes in 2005...
 4. Here's a RonAlbanese.com™ loaded question: Do you see the C.C. Banana character continuing and / or evolving? Will there be a C.C. Banana-sponsored love cruise to nowhere? A C.C. Banana banana?
Absolutely! C.C. Banana just will not go away! In the beginning I wasn't quite sure what else could be done with the character and concept, but every time I put on that damn costume I come up with something even more ridiculous than the last. Somebody really should stop me before I begin hawking C.C. Banana condoms, coffins and toilet paper.
5. Name three underrated comedy films:
In no particular order...
- Ghostbusters II (extremely entertaining performances by the reunited fearless foursome puts this one way over the top)
- Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park (the funniest unintentionally funny film ever made)
- Moving Violations (not a great comedy, I just really enjoy seeing Wendie Jo Sperber naked)
6. About that banana suit: Is it hot or uncomfortable?
C.C. Banana is unable to answer this question due to the fact that he has just passed out from heat exhaustion. |
