Gridskipper

Paul Mecurio is comedy's resident virtuoso; after graduating with high honors from Georgetown Law, Paul ditched a bright future in law for ... well, an even brighter career in comedy. He's even got awards to prove it. Let's see the firm Willkie, Farr and Gallagher hand out Emmys. We caught him in a brief moment between shows in the midwest and two headlining nights at New York's Comix (this Friday 26 and Saturday 27) and got him to dish on politics and why he's gotta have his 3am hot dogs with a side of "coffee milk."

We're going to imprison you in the city of your choice for the rest of your natural life. You can do anything you want there, but you must stay in that city forever. Where would you choose?
I would pick Providence, Rhode Island.

Why would you live in this city forever and not somewhere else?
I grew up in Providence and miss it. Ten or fifteen years ago they overhauled the city through a billion dollar redevelopment program. It has five universities, great culture, a really great regional theater, ethnic diversity and great, varied food. And EXCELLENT hookers...

In what part of the city would you reside?
On the East Side. There are three colleges based there — it's got a great young vibe and it's a historic district dating back to the 1700s. There are also some terrific museums.

Where and what would you eat?
Federal Hill is the place for amazing authentic Italian food. Angelo's restaurant is food like my mother cooks, fresh, simple ingredients and very reasonably priced. Niet's restaurant is a great French Vietnamese place. But the best place is Olneyville Hot Weiners — a "New York System" hot dog smothered in mustard, onions, and a special meat sauce. After a night of drinking you order 3 dogs and don't forget the coffee milk. It's a RI original. Coffee extract syrup in milk. It's heaven. And when I die, I want to be smothered in that special meat sauce.

What would you do for fun?
I'd go to the beaches, which are only 30 minutes away and beautiful. The Roger Williams Zoo is really cool. And the Water Fire Show and gondola rides along the Providence River are spectacular.

What kinds of shops are worth going to?
Providence Place Mall has everything. Thayer Street on the East Side has great little shops.

Where would you go for a night on the town?
Check out the the PawSox — the Red Sox's Triple-A farm team — during the day. Go to Angelo's for dinner, then Lupos Living Room to listen to some good rock. Then, drinks at the Capital Grill and 3 hot wieners with coffee milk for a nightcap.

You were one of the original writers on Comedy Central's The Daily Show and then later, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Were you surprised at how well the show took off? That it has become the go-to news show for millions of devoted viewers?
Yes, considering that all of the writers were reading at a third grade level. How did we get the job you ask? Weed ... REALLY good weed. You can get any job with the right drugs. Seriously, I am surprised. In the beginning no one knew who we were. We were the little show that could, so to see it be as popular as it is still blows my mind. And when my mind is blown the only way for me to correct that is ... WEED!

Speaking of The Daily Show, you've won an Emmy for your writing and even a Peabody Award for Excellence in Broadcasting; if I were you, I'd wear them around my neck in like a makeshift necklace, a la Flavor Flav, but I'm not, so where are you keeping all your goods?
Well, I sleep with the Peabody and YES it's a great lay. I was wearing the Emmy as bling but once I tripped and stabbed myself in the chest with the wings. Lost 3 pints of blood... So now, the Emmy is kept around the neck of a small Bolivian boy who follows me wherever I go and who is not allowed to look me in the eye at any time. Despite these awards, I think I've stayed pretty grounded — agree?

You have two upcoming shows at Comix in New York (April 25-26), but you've been all over this great country touring - what has been your favorite spot thus far? What city has got the best audiences?
Actually I care for none of them. Why? Because not one has thrown me a ticker tape parade when I arrived. One time, in Cincinnati, a homeless guy outside the airport threw a paper bag at me, but I don't think that counts! In all seriousness, that is tough to say. There are a lot of cities that are really cool. I loved Chicago — went to Buddy Guy's Blues Club [now Buddy Guy's Legends] and was blown away. I love the people in Indianapolis, so welcoming and proper. Nashville is amazing — great music at little bars and getting drunk — what's better than that? And people there actually invited me to their home for Sunday dinner. Chapel Hill, NC — I love the energy there, which comes from the youthful environment. It's such a great college town.

Obviously you love to talk politics — and this election year is a fantastic time to do just that. What do you think has been the funniest story so far? What do you hope to see happen in the upcoming months? Care to share who you're rooting for?
Funniest story is MSNBC trying to read into Obama scratching his cheek with his middle finger and them interpreting that as him possibly giving Hillary the finger. Are we in high school? This is the state of journalism today. It's very sad. In the coming months, I'd like to see Hillary and Obama trapped in a coal mine explosion — I assume they are such vote whores that they would don a miner's hat and go underground! The way I see it, they'll come to discover they really like each other, start an affair and emerge as lovers. End of story.

Really though, I am on the fence on who I will vote for in the general election — I have it down to Obama and McCain. Not sure what will tip me in one direction or the other. Maybe the one who promises to legalize weed!

SHOW DETAILS: Paul Mecurio @ Comix in New York City. Friday, April 25, 8:30pm, & 10:45pm and Saturday, April 26, 8:30pm, & 10:45pm. 353 West 14th Street (just East of 9th Ave), New York, NY 10014. Advance tickets $25, Day-of-show tickets $28, Dinner Package $81.25. Box Office: (212) 352-2716, www.comixny.com.