What's the most memorable moment from your career so far?

Definitely when I was awarded the Mark Twain Memorial Prize for Comedy.  I can’t say I didn’t see it coming.  Well, with my successful career and Saturday Night Live as well as stand up only to become a movie star, I feel the prize was well deserving.  Oh wait, that’s Steve Martin.  I always mix us up.  

Stand up has giving me many memorable performances and good crowd work and fun times but I got to say the most memorable times are the roasts.  I have an overwhelming feeling of joy when first time comics crush in front of their friends and family.  I’m always like, “I told you so.”  I think that’s my favorite part overall.  

I love when the customers have had their expectations exceeded and the honoree feels, well, honored.  The DJ is playing their setlist, they just had a killer roast, everyone is taking pictures with me and with the honoree.  I feel like I won the World Series every time (even though I knew I would).  These are my favorite moments.  The free booze also helps but that’s for a different blog.  

One memory in particular that stands out in my mind is from a comment after a show.  We’d had a roast in the ballroom of an expensive hotel and one of the staff members from the hotel was helping clean up after the party.  He was probably in his mid twenties and had the widest eyes and biggest smile as he approached me.  He said, “We throw parties here all the time.  All different types with all different kinds of people.  I have to say, that was the best party that we have ever had here.  I feel like I was a guest and not at work.”  

That’s the level of excitement around a Roast Host roast.  The guy was literally taking out the trash feeling like he was part of the party.  That made me feel really good to see the atmosphere all around us was lit.  You can feel the good vibes in the air.  People at roasts are loose and ready to get wild.  And believe me, they do.