The self-proclaimed "Best Lookin' Man in Comedy" and a comic "rat" from the Adam's Pest Control commercials were repeatedly upstaged by an accidental audience.
I had tried to pick an off-peak time to shoot a video interview at Market BBQ with Fancy Ray and Chris Shaw, who are now in the midst of a 30-cities-in-30-days "Humor for Heroes Comedy Tour." It's a fundraiser for the Lone Survivor Foundation (www.loneSurvivorFoundation.org).
Shaw has been doing comedy at Lone Survivor events for a while. "When I was in Texas last spring they were showing me a map of where the veterans and service people go to their retreats at centers they have. There were several in Minnesota. I said, 'I would love bring some awareness to Minnesota about what you guys do.' "
Shaw ran this by his buddy Rob Benton, who said he had been considering trying a new version of The Rat Pack, called the "The That Pack." Benton had four guys in mind, including himself, Shaw, Fancy Ray and John Bush, a singer/emcee type. Benton has since mostly been sidelined by doctor's orders.
As they were telling me about their Lone Survivor act, Fancy Ray ran into competition. Another diner claimed he was prettier. Another diner broke in to say he was looking for "a lady from Spain."
Fancy Ray, you're on: "I am the lady from Spain. How many times have I been mistaken for a lady from Spain? Or just a lady, period." As if that wasn't interruption enough, an MPD cop arrived, which caused Shaw to "assume the position."
Had I known Fancy would introduce me to this particular rat, I'd have invited Adam's Pest President Todd Leyse to come snap his fingers. Be sure to check out the video beyond the credit.
Q: Chris, how long have you known this fool?