‘Reno 911!’ stars coming to Emporia State
By Joey Berlin
Originally published 02:21 p.m., April 18, 2008
Updated 02:21 p.m., April 18, 2008
In addition to running a large supply of movies and stand-up performances, Comedy Central has launched a number of original series over the years. A few, like “South Park” and “The Daily Show,” have become wildly successful; many others have disappeared almost as soon as they hit the air.
“Reno 911!,” an extended parody of Fox’s old reality show “COPS,” has been one of the success stories since it debuted in 2003. Not only has it been popular enough to launch a feature film, but two of its stars are now on tour together and will stop by Emporia State University next week.
Carlos Alazraqui, who plays Deputy James Garcia on “Reno,” and Cedric Yarbrough, who portrays Deputy S. Jones, will perform at Albert Taylor Hall next Thursday in a free performance sponsored by the Union Activities Council. The pair started their college tour work in January.
“So far, so good,” Alazraqui said by phone. “We’re building each time. We have a real simple concept. It’s kind of a hybrid show. I come out and do 20 minutes of stand-up, and then Cedric comes out, we do some banter. We do this thing called an ‘impression-off,’ where we battle off with impressions. And then he sings a couple of songs, he belts ’em off.”
Then comes a costume change into sheriff’s shirts like the ones the two wear on the show for an interactive/improv session, followed by an audience Q-and-A.
Alazraqui said the idea for the tour was based on the college question-and-answer tours launched by cast members of reality shows such as “The Real World” and “Survivor.”
“I thought, ‘Well, we’re on a show, “Reno 911!,” it’s been a movie, “Reno 911!: Miami”’ Alazraqui said. “I know when I do stand-up alone, people wonder, ‘Hey, where’s the rest of the cast? We’d love to meet you guys.’
“I got (Yarbrough) to come out with me, and we do a show, and they can ask us questions, either as ourselves or our characters, and they can sign autographs, take pictures, the whole inclusive experience.”
Alazraqui said the tour is a way to show people he does more things beyond playing Deputy Garcia, and that Yarbrough is more than just Deputy Jones. In addition to his stand-up work and some film work, Alazraqui is also known for his voice talents. Perhaps his best-known voice contribution is the voice of the chihuahua in Taco Bell commercials who proclaims, “Yo quiero Taco Bell.”
Yarbrough has also done voice work, notably as Tom Dubois in the Cartoon Network series “The Boondocks,” and has a small role in the current Owen Wilson film “Drillbit Taylor.”
Alazraqui said he’s been somewhat surprised, but not shocked, by the success of “Reno.”
“Anytime you can get a job in L.A. for more than six months, it’s golden, it’s rare,” he said. “We knew we had a funny pilot originally, when Fox passed on it. But when it went to series, we had a notion that it would do pretty well. ... We knew we had a good product, and we had a built-in cast, and good chemistry, and had an infinite amount of episodes.”
The duo’s performance begins Thursday at 8 p.m.
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Posted by stevenlk (anonymous) on April 18, 2008 at 5:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
sounds cool, is this open to the public as well.
Posted by ksfan (anonymous) on April 21, 2008 at 9:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Is this for all age groups?
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