How do you get the title of ‘Americas #1 Comedy Entertainer’? Well for David Scott, who goes by the well deserved moniker Mr.Showtime, it was bestowed upon him during a Seance when the spirits of Groucho Marx, Johnny Carson and Sammy Davis Jr. all agreed that Mr.Showtime David Scott was the ONE.
Ok, the part of the seance isn’t true but if you talk to comedy club owners across the country they all agree that David Scott has the most unique and entertaining show in the country and has for years.
There are all sorts of comedy styles from storytellers, to monologists, to prop comedy, to high energy comedy, there’s musical comedy, comedy magic, impressionists and avant garde comedy but only Mr.Showtime combines them all together to create a show that has been called sharp-witted, classy, pure energy and a spectacle.
I had a chance to talk to David over ZOOM to promote his shows at the Kenosha Comedy Club Thanksgiving weekend and when you talk to him the first thing you get is that he loves to make people laugh, it almost feels like this was his calling in life but then you realize that when it comes to talking about in his words, the “art comedy”, he gets very serious. As David told me “comedy is like carrying the torch for the next generation and you need to protect it until you pass it on. It was passed to me and I respect that and I look forward to the day I can pass it on to someone else.”
Q: You don’t like to be called a Stand-Up Comedian you prefer the term Showman. Why?
A: I’ve always felt the term stand-up comedian was too limited. I think when people hear the word comedian they think of a person just standing behind the microphone telling jokes. When you hear the word Showman you think of something bigger and more exciting. Of course some might think of Hugh Jackman. The movie the Greatest Showman didn’t do me any favors.
Q: Could you name a few performers whose work you admire?
A: STEVE MARTIN. GROUCHO MARX. KISS. PENN & TELLER
Q: This pandemic has already affected all facets of the entertainment industry, and you work rooms across the country, how has Covid-19 impacted the Comedy Club business?
A: THE SIMPLE AND DIRECT ANSWER IS THAT IT’S BEEN DEVASTATING. BROADWAY IS SHUTDOWN. 98% OF THE SHOWS IN VEGAS ARE CLOSED. NO CONCERTS AND BARELY ANY LIVE ENTERTAINMENT ACROSS THE COUNTRY. HONESTLY I DON’T WHEN OR IF IT WILL EVER BE NORMAL AGAIN
Q: At one point in your career, you were a disc jockey at a very popular radio station in Las Vegas, could you ever see yourself back in radio?
A: NO
Q: If not on stage as a performer, what other career would have interested you?
A: I’VE BEEN ASKED THIS QUESTION MANY TIMES AND MY ANSWER HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE SAME AND THE REACTION I GET IS ALWAYS DISBELIEF. IF I WASN’T A PERFORMER I WOULD HAVE BEEN A HISTORY TEACHER. I LOVE HISTORY AND THE ESPECIALLY REVOLUTIONARY WAR PERIOD WHEN OUR COUNTRY WAS LITERALLY IN THE VERGE OF NEVER HAPPENING
Q: What is one of your most memorable moments or events that happened on stage during one of your performances?
A: THAT’S REALLY TOO HARD OF A QUESTION TO ANSWER. IN 27 YEARS I’VE HAD SO MANY SPECIAL AND AMAZING THINGS HAPPEN. I GUESS ONE THAT COMES TO MIND WAS DURING MY GUINNESS WORLD RECORD WHEN MY PARENTS CAME TO SEE ME BREAK THE RECORD AND WHERE THERE FOR THE FINAL HOUR WHEN I FINALLY BROKE THE RECORD AND ACHIEVED A CHILDHOOD DREAM OF BECOMING A GUINNESS WORLD RECORD HOLDER
Q: What inspires you?
A: WOW, this got deep real fast. My inspiration comes from my desire to make people laugh. It’s been a tough year for so many and if I can bring a little joy and laughter to them, then I’ve done my job.
Q: What are 3 things people would be surprised to learn about you?
A: I don’t drink coffer. I know how to use a sewing machine. If someone asks me to dance like Michael Jackson I will.
Q: Is there a Mrs.Showtime?
A: Not currently but you never know there might be a Funky Monkey out there just waiting for me.
Q: You and Jimmy JJ Walker have something in common… both of you have received standing ovations at the Kenosha Comedy Club… is that the norm at other venues where you perform?
A: NOTHING IS COMMON IN COMEDY OR TO BE ASSUMED. I WORK HARD ONSTAGE AND I PUT EVERYTHING I HAVE INTO A SHOW AND IF THE CROWD FEELS I’VE EARNED THEIR OVATION THEN I TAKE THAT AS THE HIGHEST HONOR.
Q: What can people expect when they come to see your show?
A: They can expect me giving my absolute all to put on the best show possible. I will give the same amount of effort for a crowd of 300 as I do for a crowd of 30. I want everyone in my show to walk out with a big grin and their sides hurting from laughing so much.
Q: It was reported this week that Sinbad fell victim to a stroke. Would you say that life on the road takes a toll on one’s health?
A: OF COURSE IT DOES. THE WEAR AND TEAR OF ALL THE TRAVEL AND SHOWS CAN BEAT YOU DOWN. YOU HAVE TO DO ALL YOU CAN TO STAY AS HEALTHY AS POSSIBLE. EAT RIGHT. GET ENOUGH SLEEP. WORKOUT AND STAY IN SHAPE. ALL OF THIS HELPS. OF COURSE FOR ME, I DON’T DRINK, SMOKE OR DO DRUGS WHICH IS WHY I LOOK SO DAMN GOOD
Q: You have been to Kenosha several times now, what is your impression of our city?
A: THE CRAZY THING IS, I HAVEN’T SEEN A LOT OF KENOSHA. I USUALLY GET INTO TOWN ON FRIDAY AND GO RIGHT TO THE HOTEL. I SETUP AND DO THE SHOW. THEN SATURDAY I USUALLY SLEEP IN. WORKOUT, GET SOME LUNCH AND THEN START GETTING FOR THE SHOWS THAT NIGHT. ON SUNDAY I’M ON THE ROAD HEADING TO MY NEXT SHOW. THE HOTEL IS VERY NICE AND I DON’T REMEMBER THE TRAFFIC BEING ALL THAT BAD
Q: Is there anything you want people reading this to know about you?
A: Yes, please subscribe to my YouTube channel www.youtube.com/showtimetalks
Q: That’s it?
A: Youtube has become the center of the universe for so many and I want to be a part of it, even though I’m REALLY late to the party. I’m like that old guy who just figured out how to load a 5 disc CD player and now everyone is downloading music. I guess it’s called streaming now.
For more on Mr. Showtime check out
https://www.facebook.com/IamMrShowtime
Mr. Showtime’s website
Tickets to the Kenosha Comedy Club available Click here
Q&A by Frank Carmichael
