Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 14 December 2001 — Page 23

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THE INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2001

Comedian Alex Thomas just gets funnier with time

THE SCOOP

By RICARDO HAZELL Electronic Urban Report Alex Thomas has been making rounds on the comedy scene since he tried to become known as the gloved wonder of the amateurcomedy circuit. He has been behind the scenes in Hollywood fora spell as well, penning sitcom laughs for Will Smith and Damon Wayans. Funny, but writing for very funny men instead of doing his thing. That is how Thomas made a name for himself w hile remaining just below notoriety's glance. He has written for "The Fresh Prince" and is currently a writeron "My Wife and Kids." The EUR had an ear in the press junket for "The Wash" and asked a man w ho is just as good at making us laugh as he is at making other people make us laugh. "In 'The Wash' I ended up with more ad-libbing stuff than they

originally wrote for me in the script," said Thomas w ith a smile. “From 'The Players' Club' to 'The Jamie Foxx Show' I ended up with all the lines. They gave me an inch and I took a mile all the way around. Because you gotta hustle, know w hat I mean? “Sometimes castingjust doesn’t see it. They don't see it or they don't really realize your potential.

Most of the time you get a better laugh than what was written,” he said. Thomas told us that freedom in such situations is a privilege only given primarily to comedians. So to all our actor friends, if you aren ’ t funny, don’t try it. You’ll only get your feelings hurt ... and maybe your career. “They always give comics more lead way,” said Thomas. “We always see a better, funnier answer that what was written. Of course the writers always think the answer is what’s actually written. For every one joke a writer comes up with, a comedian will come up with two or three jokes. So, some directors give you a lot of space." Thomas does know a thing or two about ad-libbing, not only because he’s become adept at doing it, but also because he once wrote lines fora certain young star of the one-time smash NBC sitcom “Fresh Prince of Bel Air.” Will Smith? One of the greatest ad-libbers of all time? “I was a writer on the TV show

‘Fresh Prince’ for seven years," Thomas said. “One thing you do with a funny guy like that, you trust him. Writing just gives him a guideline. "As a writer you can’t look at ad-libbing as a put down. You trust the funny guy. If another artist who isn't a known comedian tries it he or she might fail big time and mess up the entire How." He’s not super duper large, but he's on his way. Thomas said he had been working with fellow funny man George Wallace for more than 10 years. Wallace, another funny man who isn't necessarily a household name (but still has a cult following from those who know what funny really is), was instrumental in teaching Thomas several comic nuances, according to Alex. “As a comic I’ve learned a lot from him timing wise. He showed me something I've just begun to realize. If you can get the audience to love your personality, then that’s what you're working for. It's not just what you're saying

anymore. People know Martin Lawrence is funny. People know George Wallace is funny. It's not what you're saying anymore. If people love your personality then they're going to be laughing before you say anything.” — Additional reporting by Chianti Phillips. Janet Jackson is one of the most recognized faces in the world these days. Her career has seen great successes, but sometimes the walls just come a tumblin' down. Despite those times Jahet has endured. This time was no different. Her "All for You" tour could have gone off without a hitch, but it did not. Later, dates were canceled after Jackson needed emergency dental work. The extension of the tour will begin Jan. 25 in Louisville. Ky., and cross the Midwest to the East Coast. * # Hi Hi This years American Music

Awards will feature some of your favorite artists as presenters and performers as well. Ludacris, O-Town, India.Arie, Lifehouse and Nelly Furtado recently hopped on board as presenters. The 29th annual American Music Awards, which take place Jan. 9 in Los Angeles. Lenny Kravitz, Toby Kejth and Yolanda Adams have cotpe aboard as performers. The shQW will be broadcast live from tjie Shrine Auditorium on ABC, except on the West Coast, where, it will be tape-delayed. H< Hi Hi Hi Hi We know you have heard all about the whole Jay-Z stabbing thing back in 1999. Earlier this year Jigga was convicted on assault charges. Last week he was sentenced to three years probation. After voluntarily answering police questions, Jay-Z had maintained his innocence until entering his plea, even going so far as to include the line “Not guilty, y’all got to feel me,” in his hit single “Izzo (H.O.V.A.)”

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