Comedian Hannibal Buress has been kicking around the comedy scene for what seems like forever now. He started off in his hometown of Chicago before moving to New York and landing a gig as an SNL writer. Though anyone would consider writing for SNL an “I MADE IT” moment, enough to declare a comfortable settling for their future, Buress has had stints basically everywhere. Unsurprising, as comedians are notorious hustlers. He’s appeared on episodes of 30 Rock, Louie, the Eric Andre show, and so many more. Most recently Buress had a bigger role in Neighbors. Add to all that his three stand up specials, his recurring (and most notable) role on Comedy Central’s Broad City, and his hosting gig at the Knitting Factory’s comedy night and you could call Hannibal Buress the hustling King of Comedy. We recently spoke to him on the phone about all this and more.
Lincoln on Broad City is this charming, grown ass man of a dentist. What’s your favorite part of playing that character?
The writers on the show are all great. The episode where we are all able to chill at Grand Central was cool. Usually you’re just there catching a train or grabbing some food. It really is a New York institution.
Do you think Lincoln and Ilana will be more official in season two?
I heard Lincoln dies [laughs].
Tell me about Unemployable. It was pretty ballsy to just tell Twitter that the show had been picked up before it was actually picked up.
I believe in putting things out there. I just put out these positive vibes and people responded to it. It’s somewhere in between what I was doing on 30 Rock and playing a dentist. For the pilot I worked on a farm and in a restaurant kitchen.
On Live from Chicago you have a joke about going to a Riff Raff show in Canada. Are you an actual Riff Raff fan?
I like that “Rookie of the Year” song. He’s a social media master!
You also make a joke about penguin meat and on your first special you talk about wanting to kick pigeons. What’s your problem with birds?
I don’t have a problem with birds. That pigeon thing was just a joke about how they walk around so entitled. The penguin thing is just — you want what you can’t have. And I want some penguin meat, you know?
Hannibal Buress
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Interview by Alex Martinez. Follow her on Twitter @xxalexm
