Hello reader! This week, I had the pleasure of speaking with Matteo Lane, a comedian whose humor is as sharp as it is unapologetically authentic. Matteo’s the real deal—a blend of Italian, Mexican, and Irish heritage, and 100% loud and proud. We talked about his lifelong love for Storm from The X-Men, a hilarious (and slightly surreal) exchange with Lizzo, and his upcoming cookbook that promises to be as funny as it is delicious.
Go see Matteo Lane this Friday, December 6, at The National. A second show has been added! Don’t miss this—it’s going to be a hot one. Tickets are available at The National HERE!
Gabe: Hey Matteo! Thanks for taking the time to do this. Big fan. Let’s get it started. Have you ever been to Richmond?
Matteo: Yeah. I’ve been there a few times. How many times have I been there? Maybe twice or three times?
Gabe: Was it the Funny Bone or in the city?
Matteo: I probably was opening for Aziz Ansari and once Fortune Feimster.
Gabe: Oh cool. So, you were probably in the city.
Matteo: Yeah. But also, the amount of shows that I’ve done and the last sixteen years of stand-up, I’m like, ‘I’ve been to Richmond’. [laughs] I just don’t remember with who or why or what theatre. But now I’m coming myself to headline.
Gabe: That’s awesome. You’ve been really busy the last couple of years. You just announced a big new tour for next year—congratulations! I know you’re a big fan of the ’90s X-Men: The Animated Series. Let’s talk X-Men. This past year, you got a shout-out from Alison Sealy-Smith, the voice of Storm. What was that experience like?
Matteo: I did a drawing of Storm myself and then got it tattooed on me because I love the animated series. She sent me a video—she made it just for me. So, I messaged her, telling her, “Hey, you don’t know how much this means to me.” And she was like, “Oh, thank you so much, da-da-da.” And I was like, “No, like, you don’t understand how much you mean to me.” [laughs]
Gabe: [laughs] Crazy.
Matteo: The amount of times I’ve watched X Men and pretended to be Storm or drew Storm or watched Storm. That was one of those cool moments where I don’t expect the people I grew up watching reach out to me. It was really great.
Gabe: That’s awesome. I love X Men too. Did you get a chance to watch X Men 97?
Matteo: Of course. Yeah. I loved it.
Gabe: You’re very in touch with pop culture. I love when you just drop a Disney reference anywhere.
Matteo: I end up dropping more and I’m not even really a Disney person, really. But I guess it’s so ingrained in our childhood that it’s always a good reference to go back to.
Gabe: In show business, and specifically comedy, you have to have thick skin. What can be more hurtful: getting roasted by fellow comics or receiving negative comments on the internet?
Matteo: Probably reading negative comments because your comic friends are your peers—you come up with them. If I get roasted by Keith Robinson, that’s an honor. So, there’s a difference there. When I’m sitting with peers, with people who professionally come up with jokes, versus someone online who sees your video for the first time and makes a passing comment—then yes, of course, I would rather be roasted by a professional comedian.
Gabe: That’s a good point. So, podcasts are huge for you and your peers now. And you have your own with Nick Smith, right?
Matteo: Yeah. Unfortunately.
Gabe: [laughs] Tell me about that. Why “unfortunately”?
Matteo: It feels like a prison sentence. It really is the worst thing that’s ever happened to me. He’s the bane of my existence. He has no redeeming qualities, and he’s my cross to bear.
Gabe: [laughs] Didn’t you guys—well, maybe him more than you—get called out by Lizzo at some point?
Matteo: [laughs] Yeah, he got called out, but then I got dragged in as collateral damage. Lizzo is definitely a strong reference point for us on our podcast.
Gabe: Yeah, I remember that happening last year. It was very funny. Also, it’s just interesting how people take comedians seriously at the wrong time.
Matteo: Yeah, the irony of Lizzo lecturing us about the education system in America when she herself isn’t educated in comedy and can’t understand irony in its true definition. But that’s fine. I’m sure her cases in Amsterdam are still pending.
Gabe: [laughs] Well, I know you just announced a big tour for next year. Is there anything else on the horizon you can share?
Matteo: Yes! I have my book coming out in April—it’s already available for pre-sale. I also have my special coming out this year on Hulu, and I’ll continue touring.
Gabe: A book? What’s that about?
Matteo: It’s half cookbook, half funny short stories.
Gabe: That’s awesome. Thanks for taking the time to do this. Richmond can’t wait to have you here.
Matteo: Thanks, man. Thanks for the interview.
