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player ready...If insulting someone is an art form, then Jeffrey Ross is Pablo Picasso. Or, more appropriately Gen. Patton, since the stand-up comedian has earned the nickname “roastmaster general” for his verbal assaults during Friars Club roasts of celebrities such as Pamela Anderson, William Shatner and Flavor Flav.
“Roasting is a way to honor somebody by dishonoring them,” explained the New Jersey native, labeled by New York Magazine “the meanest man in comedy.” “It’s a tribute using backhanded compliments.”
Whether delivering a best-man speech at a wedding or just busting chops in the locker room, most guys have experience roasting buddies.
“Human beings can’t help making fun of each other — it’s at the very heart of human nature,” Ross said. “I’m sure there was one caveman making fun of another caveman’s ass.”
But how do you do it right? Public-speaking guides don’t provide pointers on ridiculing your friend’s sexual prowess. So we asked Ross — the best there is — for some roasting tips:
* “You have to do it for a friend, somebody who is a good sport.”
* “Commit to your material — no retreat. Once you say something, don’t apologize because that weakens it.”
* “Be formal and build the person up, because then it’s funnier when you take him down.”
* “The F-word helps every joke. Roasts are traditionally blue.”
* “Some advice Milton Berle gave me after I roasted Steven Seagal — just use your best jokes. They only remember the home runs.”
* “Keep it light. You’re not there to pontificate, and the audience wants to have a good time. You want everyone leaving saying, ‘I can’t wait until he roasts me.'”
* “Never heckle Jeff Ross.”
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Jeffrey Ross plays Zanies Wednesday and Thursday. For details visit zanies.com. Warning: Those seated in the front of the house will be victimized.
Male Call will return next week. Our wives made us do chores this week.