The Izzard king

Often, although I've probably done it myself, I make fun of interview stories that includes phrases such as "... said between bites of Cobb salad." But when Eddie Izzard, the cross-dressing stand-up British comedian and star of FX's The Riches, drops into Angelo's and has a plate of ribs, it seems worthy of pointing out, especially since Izzard went right after the meat using his hands and not the sissy way, with a knife and fork. (FX publicist John Solberg, a former Fort Worth resident, was also there, showing Izzard one of his favorite restaurants).

Izzard's in town for a show tonight at the Majestic Theatre in Dallas -- an odd turn of events that transpired when his upcoming June show sold out within hours and second show was added -- more than two months before the first one. Yeah, I'm having trouble with that math, too. Tonight's show is also sold out, but if you want to gamble with the weather and with the possibility that someone else won't want to gamble with it, go here for ticket info.

Izzard is also scheduled to chat with guys on The Hardline on KTCK/1310 AM "The Ticket" around 5 p.m., and I meet even finish this post by then. But here's some of what we talked about today during Izzard's first visit to Texas (including the Stockyards, where he bought the hat shown in the above photo taken from Izzard's iPhone). Or, should I say, here's some of what he talked about while wiping sauce off his hands with napkins in between bites of ribs. This is a mere fraction of the discussion, but your time, as well as mine, is short.

On visiting Dealey Plaza in Dallas: "I was asking people at the restaurant last night, 'What does Dallas feel about [the President Kennedy assassination], and the general sense I got was that people feel rather embarrassed by it and would rather it hadn't happened. But I didn't actually associate it with Dallas. Someone mentioned it and I said, 'Oh yeah, it was Dallas.' ... The first thing I thought was, 'God, this is so small.' When John elbowed me into someone, it was a little embarrassing. I felt like I'd gate-crashed someone's visit."

On what will be in his act tonight: "Whatever pops in to my head. It's a run through the entire history of civilization. I'm trying to explain the universe [in 80 minutes], and spirituality -- and polar bears and anything else. My usual tour around my head."

On whether he'll be in drag or semi-drag during his show: "Well, I am a transvestite. When I started doing stand-up ... I only started wearing a dress to say, 'Well, I can', and I'm speaking the truth here. It's no joke. But then it became the whole thing. When I came to America, I arrived wearing makeup, but then I'd have to explain it. It became a two-step thing. [Garbled]. I realized that in America, some people thought [the cross-dressing] was what [the whole act] was about. But it's all about talking comedy. So this time, I'm more in blokey mode. Next time, maybe I'll be in girlie mode."

--Robert Philpot

Comments

[Stefanie Petersen]

Great little article about one of the great minds of our time. (he really is a scientist just pointing out the ridiculousness that we call TRUTHS). The iphone picture is such a great touch.

I am seeing him in NYC. Third row orchestra seats...he is worth rent money.