This week, The Signal caught up with funnyman Donnell Rawlings before he visits Atlanta for a stint at the Laughing Skull Lounge at the Vortex. Although my interview with Rawlings began on a strange foot (I learned the hard way not to believe everything you read on Wikipedia), I discovered that Rawlings makes pleasurable conversation and is as funny on the phone as he appears on TV.
Rawlings was a regular cast member on Comedy Central’s Chappelle’s Show, where he played sundry roles. Most famously, though, was his role as Ashy Larry, the shirtless culprit guilty of avoiding lotion or any other form of moisturizer. Since Chappelle’s Show, Rawlings has acted in movies and TV and has released a stand-up movie, Donnell Rawlings: From Ashy to Classy. He’s recently been a guest commentator on Chelsea Lately. Rawlings talked with The Signal about shedding Ashy Larry, how he’s not from Atlanta and what to expect at his upcoming performance at the Laughing Skull Lounge.
So you’re coming home to Atlanta to perform, how does it feel?
I don’t know man, my Wikipedia is wrong, I gotta get that changed. Atlanta isn’t my hometown, but somewhere down the road Atlanta is every black person’s hometown. But nah, actually I’m from D.C.
How often are you in Atlanta?
I’m usually in Atlanta three times a year either at The Vortex or at Uptown Comedy Club; gotta mix it up.
What can Atlanta expect from your stand-up?
Some honest comedy, you know? It’s definitely observation-based. I talk about those same things [you see in life] and put a funny twist on it. So it’s almost like the audience is having a funny conversation with somebody in their family at like a barbeque or a function.
Now that you’ve done a lot of work since Chappelle’s Show, how are you received when you perform?
[People’s memories of me on Chappelle’s Show] still [exist in shows] for some reason, I guess, because that show was so big that it’s like it just premiered, […] I get a lot of ‘I’m rich bitch.’ But the funniest thing to me is when people say, ‘Do Ashy Larry,’ and I’m like, ‘What does that mean, lift my shirt up and show you my elbows? I don’t know what that means.’
Which do you prefer, acting or stand-up?
I mean, I like both of them — I like them [equally]. But I think acting is more challenging to me than stand-up. I think stand-up is like second nature for me, but with acting I got to dig a little deeper to make people believe.
Do you like the challenge?
I’m always up for a challenge; I’m a competitor and a competitor with myself.
How much does doing a show like Chelsea Lately differ from your regular routine?
Not too much, it’s just you have a certain period of time to be funny and then you got one of the quickest, wittiest tongues in TV that you’re going against (in Chelsea). But it’s the same situation, just a different setting.
Your most recent DVD is called Donnell Rawlings: From Ashy to Classy. Does that mean the end of Ashy Larry?
Nah, it’s just he’s more refined and reformed. And it’s just […] me trying to transition my life from being that ashy person to having that same attitude and energy except with a little more moisturizer. But not too much; don’t want to be oily.
Since we’re talking about Ashy Larry and Chappelle’s Show — do you think there will ever be another show like Chappelle’s Show?
Yeah, I think there will always be another something. That’s just like they never thought there’d be another Richard Pryor Show, and they thought there’d never be another In Living Color. There’s just too much creative and talented people. I mean they might not be doing the same thing, but there will be something that will make a major comedy impact.
You’ve worked with a lot of funny people in your career. Who is the funniest?
Probably my mom. Mom can always make us laugh in some of our darkest moments, so yeah, I’d probably say her.
Funnier than Charlie Murphy?
Yeah man, Charlie can’t open up for my mother; I mean he can’t follow her.
Can you follow her?
Nah, I’m nice, I can follow her.
So what’s next for you?
Funny stuff man. On TV, on the Internet or in the movie theaters. I encourage people to make sure you pay your cable bills and go to work so you can see me on TV and afford to see me in the theaters. So I’d say just wait, ‘cause something is coming down the line.
