Comedian of the year performs at UWS
10/1/2009
By Macie Anderson
Staff Writer
Rob Little, a successful standup comedian, did a show for UW-Superior students on September 30 in the Rothwell Student Center.
This is the first time Little has ever been to Superior. He performed one show at WITC and commented that it was a nice turn out for him. Little has been doing comedy for eleven years and just started performing at colleges this year.
“Every week is different,” Little said when asked how many schools he visits in a week. “I do not leave Wisconsin in the month of October. I go from performing at colleges during the day to playing in clubs at night.”
“The worst part is it gets lonely,” he said, admitting traveling is very tiring. “I’m by myself for 23 hours. I try to do things outside of my hotel room otherwise I will go crazy.”
When asked what his biggest success has been with his career, he said, “Quitting my job at IBM to be a comedian. I love the traveling, and I would never be here if I did not quit. Ever since I was five I knew I wanted to be a comedian.”
Before Little had a career as a comedian, he was working for IBM as a computer programmer. He said he was making big money at this company and one day he decided to send out an email to his co-workers stating, “If you aren't happy here, quit your job and follow your dream." IBM quickly fired Little, which was a good thing for him because he started his dream career as a comedian.
He admits it was a tough transition from making a lot of money to only making $12,000 a year starting out as a new comedian. Since then, Little has made a successful career out of his jokes by appearing in television and film. He is now living in L.A. and is under the same management as Dane Cook. Little’s growing portfolio is turning him in to a national star and he was even named comedian of the year in Maxim magazine.
Little almost landed a job with Saturday Night live; he was one of the last three contestants that were going to get the job. He had most of his stuff moved out to New York but then got the call that they chose someone else over him. Little said he is still going to try out for SNL next year.
This is the first time Little has ever been to Superior. He performed one show at WITC and commented that it was a nice turn out for him. Little has been doing comedy for eleven years and just started performing at colleges this year.
“Every week is different,” Little said when asked how many schools he visits in a week. “I do not leave Wisconsin in the month of October. I go from performing at colleges during the day to playing in clubs at night.”
“The worst part is it gets lonely,” he said, admitting traveling is very tiring. “I’m by myself for 23 hours. I try to do things outside of my hotel room otherwise I will go crazy.”
When asked what his biggest success has been with his career, he said, “Quitting my job at IBM to be a comedian. I love the traveling, and I would never be here if I did not quit. Ever since I was five I knew I wanted to be a comedian.”
Before Little had a career as a comedian, he was working for IBM as a computer programmer. He said he was making big money at this company and one day he decided to send out an email to his co-workers stating, “If you aren't happy here, quit your job and follow your dream." IBM quickly fired Little, which was a good thing for him because he started his dream career as a comedian.
He admits it was a tough transition from making a lot of money to only making $12,000 a year starting out as a new comedian. Since then, Little has made a successful career out of his jokes by appearing in television and film. He is now living in L.A. and is under the same management as Dane Cook. Little’s growing portfolio is turning him in to a national star and he was even named comedian of the year in Maxim magazine.
Little almost landed a job with Saturday Night live; he was one of the last three contestants that were going to get the job. He had most of his stuff moved out to New York but then got the call that they chose someone else over him. Little said he is still going to try out for SNL next year.