When I was growing up, we didn't have 'Will & Grace.' The one gay character was Monroe from 'Too Close For Comfort' - and he wasn't even gay! At least they didn't say he was. Same with Mr. Furley from 'Three's Company.' You know, these were the characters that people would always make fun of.

I got to a point where I was completely typecast, and I knew I was paying my dues, and I was happy to do so because I knew that's what had to happen, and I loved acting. But I would never go back.

When I was in high school, I wasn't really popular. I was picked on a lot. And then I did a talent show, and kids started to tell me that I did a good job. It was the first time that my peers told me that they liked what I was doing. Something clicked, and I knew that this is what I wanted to do.

I went to school in the Bronx. I learned to constantly try to cover up the fact that I was gay. That facade of being somebody I'm really not just to protect myself definitely helped with acting.

But I just think I was lucky enough to figure out early on that I wanted to do comedy, so that's what I put all my effort into.

I'm not a great joke writer, which is odd for a comic to say, but I'm not.

As far as how I approach the humor, I think the best comedy is going to happen when I'm myself and act organically to a news item or situation.

I do love situational comedy, clowning, and slapstick; I approach that with a lot of respect. The goofier you are, it doesn't mean you're going to be funnier.