Vinnie Favorito

Favorito is not afraid to go there

By Caroline Fontein

Unlike other comedians who use pre-developed material, Vinnie Favorito derives his comedy from his interaction with people in the audience. He also uses stereotypes as the basis for some of his jokes, but most of the time he is able to create off-the-cuff comedy based on information that he gets from people in the crowd. He explains this at the beginning of his show.

“I come out and tell a few jokes, and I f#@$ with the audience,” says Favorito.

He begins by greeting individuals and asking them basic questions like “What’s your name?” and “Where are you from?” Favorito then turns their answers into hilarious comedy much like what Don Rickles does.

“A Mexican working in corrections, that’s an oxymoron,” jokes Favorito after talking to a male audience member.

Favorito, a Boston native, started doing stand-up in 1986, and he quickly became a regular headliner in clubs along the East Coast. He moved to Los Angeles in the late 1990s and started headlining in well known comedy venues including the Improv and the Comedy Store. He soon became a highly sought after celebrity roaster.

His quick-witted humor knows no boundaries. He talks to almost every guest at his show so trying to slink down in your seat won’t do any good. The intimate showroom at the Flamingo gives everyone a good view of the stage and puts Favorito close to his next “victim.” But part of what makes Favorito so entertaining is that he’s not afraid to offend anyone.

He spotlights a young woman in the audience and asks what she does for work. After replying that she’s in school Favorito asks, “Is it a community college? Because you seem dumb.”

People in the audience can’t help but laugh at his free flowing insults. By the end of the show he has made fun of almost every stereotype, but in doing so he also reminds people that it’s okay to laugh at yourself.

“This is why I like doing comedy. You have all walks of life sitting together having a good time,” says Favorito.