September 23-29, 2004

mixpicks

Headline News

by Frank Halperin

While Jay Leno may have a beefy reputation within the industry as the hardest-working man in comedy, he has no chin up on homeboy Craig Shoemaker. A steadfast headliner for over 20 years, the Philly native—whose "Lovemaster" alter-ego has been shamelessly firing off a tommy-gun assault of unctuous pick-up lines ("I'll have you breathing harder than Ruben Studdard on a StairMaster, baby!") aimed at women patrons at comedy clubs across the country—manages ubiquitous television appearances, hosts his own syndicated radio show (ShoeRadio.com), has authored a children's book (What You Have Now ... What Your Daddy Had Then) and developed a non-profit organization, Laughter Heals, that medicates the infirm through the transcendental healing power of humor (think Patch Adams without the bitter aftertaste of Hollywood-style sanctimony). The Los Angeles-transplanted family man is coming back to revisit his roots this week, not only to play the Keswick Saturday night but also to broadcast his radio show from Citizens Bank Park ("I'm still a Phillies fan, even after 17 years in L.A.").

On the phone from Atlanta hours before a standup engagement, Shoemaker reflected on what he misses most about Philadelphia. "I miss the honesty, regardless of whether it's good or bad," he says. "You get the idea of who someone is right away here, there's no holding back—that goes for crowds, individuals, sports fans, everybody." After paying his dues around town in the late '70s at well-remembered venues like Grandma Minnies, Rick's Cabaret and Starr's, his following steadily grew over the next two decades. It culminated with his being honored in 1997 as "Comedian of the Year" by the American Comedy Awards; that same year, his film The Lovemaster took home top prizes at the L.A. Independent Film Festival. With a new pilot, Straight Eye For The Whipped Guy, in the pipeline and with a special due to air in January on Comedy Central, Shoemaker continues to be a guy on the move—but one who'll never forget where he came from. "One thing about Philly people, they're creatures of habit," he says, "and I hope my show at the Keswick becomes a habit."

Craig Shoemaker, Sat., Sept. 25, 8:30 p.m., $25, with Big Daddy Graham and Joe Conklin, Keswick Theatre, Easton Rd. and Keswick Ave., Glenside, 215-572-7650.