2008 Woodie Awards
No, he doesn't like Dane Cook
Soheil Rezaee
Issue date: 3/10/08 Section: Features
Jim Panetta is a 20-year-old stand-up comedian from Campbell who's risen from having next to nothing to establishing an independent production company with a major show premiering.
Armed with only a G.E.D. and one night school class at De Anza College, Jim Panetta has established his own production company, Clownshoe Entertainment, which has a major show titled "Stand Up for Humanity" scheduled to debut March 7 at the Campbell Heritage Theatre.
Panetta has performed stand-up in most major clubs in the Bay Area. In this interview, Panetta tells about his rise to fame and, of course, plugs his latest show.
Soheil Rezaee: What inspired you to be a stand-up comedian?
Jim Panetta: I was a talker in school and I would always get kicked out of class for it.
SR: When did you first perform on stage and how was it?
JP: My first show was at the Gaslighter Theater. My friend Nick Greenwell signed me up for open mike without my knowledge and so I performed in front of the biggest crowd that attended the Gaslighter for open mic night. Surprisingly, I did so good that they asked me to come back.
SR: Who in your life has inspired you?
JP: Both my father and grandfather inspired me. My dad always supported me. He introduced me to the works of Lenny Bruce and Richard Pryor. After he passed away I stopped touring for a while. My grandfather was a real influence. We would watch cartoons and stand-up together.
SR: Which comedians have influenced you?
JP: The five great comedians of all time: Lenny Bruce, George Carlin, Richard Pryor, Bill Hicks, and Chris Rock.
SR: What is your theory on telling jokes?
JP: It needs to offend people. It's like my life motto, "the truth is said in jest."
SR: How did you establish your production company, Clownshoe Entertainment?
JP: My associates and I have been planning this for many years and Matt inherited some money from his great grandmother. We rented an apartment complex on Winchester close to where I used to live and where I came up with most of my ideas. It's like the hip hop industry and how it tries to stay connected with its roots.
Armed with only a G.E.D. and one night school class at De Anza College, Jim Panetta has established his own production company, Clownshoe Entertainment, which has a major show titled "Stand Up for Humanity" scheduled to debut March 7 at the Campbell Heritage Theatre.
Panetta has performed stand-up in most major clubs in the Bay Area. In this interview, Panetta tells about his rise to fame and, of course, plugs his latest show.
Soheil Rezaee: What inspired you to be a stand-up comedian?
Jim Panetta: I was a talker in school and I would always get kicked out of class for it.
SR: When did you first perform on stage and how was it?
JP: My first show was at the Gaslighter Theater. My friend Nick Greenwell signed me up for open mike without my knowledge and so I performed in front of the biggest crowd that attended the Gaslighter for open mic night. Surprisingly, I did so good that they asked me to come back.
SR: Who in your life has inspired you?
JP: Both my father and grandfather inspired me. My dad always supported me. He introduced me to the works of Lenny Bruce and Richard Pryor. After he passed away I stopped touring for a while. My grandfather was a real influence. We would watch cartoons and stand-up together.
SR: Which comedians have influenced you?
JP: The five great comedians of all time: Lenny Bruce, George Carlin, Richard Pryor, Bill Hicks, and Chris Rock.
SR: What is your theory on telling jokes?
JP: It needs to offend people. It's like my life motto, "the truth is said in jest."
SR: How did you establish your production company, Clownshoe Entertainment?
JP: My associates and I have been planning this for many years and Matt inherited some money from his great grandmother. We rented an apartment complex on Winchester close to where I used to live and where I came up with most of my ideas. It's like the hip hop industry and how it tries to stay connected with its roots.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Kelly
posted 3/09/08 @ 4:47 PM PST
Honestly, I don't understand why people think Dane Cook is talentless. Just because he uses a different style than telling jokes doesn't mean he's got no talent. (Continued…)
eleesha
posted 3/14/08 @ 2:04 PM PST
dane cook is talentless. he runs around the stage screaming and yelling and waving his arms because he knows his audience wouldn't understand anything with actual meaning. (Continued…)
Kevin
posted 3/17/08 @ 8:35 PM PST
this kid is gonna save comedy isn't he, we definately need someone since Hicks dies,
maybe Jim Panetta is it.
Mencia is a notorious joke stealer and so is Dane. (Continued…)
frank knight
posted 3/17/08 @ 8:44 PM PST
I've seen Jim perform a couple of times, he is amazing.
More Lenny Bruce than Hicks.
jim could definately evolve into the Voice of His generation. (Continued…)
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