| BARRY
DIAMOND, AMERICA's latest tough-talking,
taboo-smashing, minority-mocking comedian
attempts a self-portrait: "I'm 5'
9", dark haired, Caucasian, swarthy
... Mediterranean features. I'm an
actor-comedian. When it's at its best it
doesn't look like an act. When it's at
its best it isn't an act." Nine years of
making people laugh for a living has
either liberated the real Barry Diamond
or scrambled his mind into a multitude of
tangled egos. His humour is founded in
people – stereotypes and actual
types. "I was born in the Bronx. My
environment was blacks, Puerto Ricans,,
junkies, homosexuals. I draw from the
experiences and attitudes of these people
and project them into my show."
After
schooldays worthy of Buster Keaton and a
college spell in the redneck haven of
Alabama, Diamond spent two years failing
to sell insurance before becoming a
regular stand-up comic in the fun-houses
of the Big Apple. There followed parts in
such B-grade ticklers as National
Lampoon's Class Reunion, Get Crazy and
the soon to appear Bachelor Party.
But in
performance is where the Diamond
sparkles. I usually don't know what I'm
going to say until I hit the stage. I
have hunks of material that 1 scatter
through the set but I might create a
whole new show right there. If the
elements are right, improvisationally it
can be a lot of fun."
Diamond's
cutting characterisations have been
lapped up Stateside but here his tales of
being raised by black Hassidic Jews from
the Philippines and gays whale hunting in
Hawaii have led to allegations of racism
and sexism. "A lot of people have
misinterpreted what I do. It's something
that's representative of a type of person
everybody knows. I know in my heart I'm
not racist or sexist."
The fact
that he's played to all-black and all-gay
clubs and lived, would tend to
back up his claim. The heightened UK
profile stems from his live "Fighter
Pilot" LP released through Miles
Copeland's IRS label. The rock tycoon saw
a Diamond show in Los Angeles and
"laughed his arse off." The
ensuing liaison has also led to a role in
a new Central TV programme Rebellious
Jukebox: Diamond plays a club drunk.
As for
the vinyl, 75 per cent is reckoned out of
date and a newer repertoire includes
Europe and nuclear war. "All
Americans should send a letter to the
USSR saying Dear Chairman, you fat
bastard, when are you going to lead your
people into the 20th century and forget
this mindless communism thing. Take a
look around you, take a look at yourself,
take another look around you ... boo!
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