Multi-faceted comedian loves his job
By Phyllis Bator 06/15/2006

Comedian Mike Diesel recently performed at Off The Hook Comedy Club here on Marco Island. He also performs at Walter Reed Hospitals every three months to help keep the spirits up for injured American troops. Journalist Katherine Graham once said, "To love what you do and feel that it matters - how could anything be more fun?"

And that's exactly what Mike Diesel does for a living.

Performing at Off The Hook Comedy Club at Capt. Brien's Seafood and Raw Bar recently, Diesel loves what he does and certainly has fun doing it.

He was having such a good time here on Marco Island that his laughter became contagious and everybody was laughing along with him most of the evening.

Weighing in at 300 pounds and standing just five-and-a-half feet tall, he told the story of going to the gym to work out. The trainer said, "Gee, you're out of shape." Diesel coyly replied, "Oval is a shape."

Diesel grunted, snorted and bellowed. His face turned so red, it looked like it was ready to explode. Sometimes he yelled into the microphone and covered it with his hand to make a point or do an impression. The audience understood what he said and loved it.

He played a guessing game where he did an impression or said a line from a movie and the audience had to guess the movie or the actor. The crowd was sharp and won in no time. Four DVD's were given away as prizes.

Diesel told jokes about his wife, the beer whalers on the tables that come in three sizes and heavy people - among other subjects - as well as about his own weight, which at one time was 365 pounds. I laughed a lot along with everyone else. He has a high-energy routine laced with impressions that are hilarious.

A regular performer at various East Coast clubs and college venues as well as corporate events make him (pardon the pun) a very well-rounded comedian with lots of material.

Doing stand-up comedy since 1988 in Washington, DC launched his career. He has since appeared in five local commercials, on HBO's "The Wire" and has had roles in two independent films, one of which is "The Despiser."

As an owner of his own comedy club in West Virginia, Diesel stated he has an open mic night where he evaluates the comics and tries to help them out. During his career, he has opened for such stars as Ellen DeGeneres, Ray Romano, Andrew Dice Clay and many others.

"They've gone on to be so much more successful than me and I'm incredibly jealous," he joked. "When you've been in the business 10 or 11 years, you get to say to yourself, 'Hey, where's my show?' Then I think, 'I can't believe they're paying me to do this,' and then I get another perspective and say 'This is amazing to get on stage and be performing,' It's a lot of fun and comedy is all I do for a living. I perform about 200 nights a year... and then some."

In support of American troops, Diesel visits three Walter Reed Hospitals once every three months, performing for the injured soldiers, sailors and marines. "We want to make sure they - our heroes - keep their morale up," he emphasized.

Diesel has also been a writer, voice-over specialist, comedy producer and comedy club manager. Visit his Web site at www.mikediesel.com to see his videos of his commercials, stand-up comedy and other clips.

Capt. Brien's Seafood and Raw Bar is located at 599 South Collier Blvd. in the Marco Walk Plaza. For reservations, call 239-389-6900. To view upcoming events, log on to www.CaptBriens.com.

Phyllis Bator has been involved with music all her life and has been reviewing entertainment for several years. Comments can be sent to her at phyllisbator@earthlink.net.

©Marco Island Sun Times 2006