Kevin James Reflects on Challenging Comedy Experiences
Actor and comedian Kevin James recently opened up about some tough moments he faced during his early career in comedy.
On a recent episode of Theo Fung’s podcast, This Past Weekend, James shared a memorable experience from his time on the road as a comedian. He described driving for eight hours to perform a single stand-up show, and the payment was, well, disheartening, especially when factoring in his travel expenses.
After such a long drive, he found himself staying in what he called a “cheap motel.” His intention was to rest a bit before heading to the performance.
James recalls feeling exhausted, “I’m tired, so I roll my bed back. I just drove for eight hours.” But then reality hit him when he noticed, “There’s a cockroach in the blanket.” Surprisingly, he didn’t ask for a different room.
“I literally just put the blanket back on,” he remembered. “I went to a show. I sat in my car in the parking lot until I was ready.” After finishing his performance, he made what he described as a better choice. “I saw the show, then drove eight hours home. Oh, I’m not going to be with cockroaches. I couldn’t do that.”
James made a lighthearted comment on how poorly some places can be maintained. It’s a reminder that every job comes with its own challenges, even for seasoned professionals.
Interestingly, pest experts have some advice for travelers who encounter such unwelcome guests. They recommend taking precautions when checking into hotels, like keeping belongings elevated and inspecting the space for signs of pests. “The bathroom is a smart place to store your belongings, especially the bathtub, while you inspect the room,” noted Shannon Sked from a pest control company.
“If you see cockroaches or bedbugs, please let the front desk know right away,” Sked advised, emphasizing that “Hotels can’t deal with what they don’t know.”
On a lighter note, despite these setbacks, James continues to find success. He’s known for his role in the popular TV series “King of Queens” and has starred alongside Adam Sandler in films like “Grown Ups.” Currently, he’s featured in the film Solo Mio, which is now in theaters.
