Photo by Jonathan Weiner
Erik Griffin: comedian. Actor. Twitter personality. Intergalactic bounty hunter…? We spoke to Griffin about his upcoming performance at Jammin’ Java, “Workaholics,” and what’s next for the L.A. jester.
Tell me about your career. How’d you get your start in comedy?
It was about 2003. I had a completely different life. I was working a regular job. I didn’t want to wake up at 50 and be like, “I didn’t follow my dreams.” So I started going to the open mic scene every single day and started building up my reputation.
Who are your comedic influences?
When I was a kid I liked Eddie Murphy a lot. That was probably one of the first times where I was like, “I want to do that too.”
How did you get started on Workaholics?
I knew Adam DeVine, but I didn’t even know at the time that he was in the midst of producing a television show. The funny thing is, like a week before I auditioned, I saw him at a comedy club…and then I get to this random audition, and I see him in the room, and I think he’s an intern or something, like he’s trying to learn the business. I didn’t know at that point that he was the producer of the show. I auditioned a few times, and I got the part.
Tell me about your character, Montez Walker. Have you brought anything to the role wasn’t in the script?
I play it very honestly. Very earnestly. I believe in the things this person would do and I do them. I think that’s why I booked the part initially, even with the audition, because the audition was one of the scenes from the first episode in the end…it was me talking about having sex with my wife for five minutes. And that was the audition. And I just kind of went with that. It’s not hard to play something so open and so free with yourself.
As if we had to tell you, this “Workaholics” clip contains NSFW language:
Does Montez live inside of you anywhere? Is he part of your personality?
I mean, I would assume so. He’s such a crazy character, I don’t even know if I want to admit that, you know what I mean? But he’s probably the part of me that I always wanted to be. Just so open and free. There’s probably a little bit of an unchained, unchecked version of myself.
Your Montez character is pretty different from your standup.
They’re tremendously different. I’m not Montez. As much as people want me to be, I’m not. When you listen to my standup, it’s a totally different point of view and perspective.
Once again, NSFW language in case your boss is easily offended.
You had a cameo with in the first episode of the newest season of Arrested Development. Tell me about that experience.
The producer was on Workaholics. He was a big fan of the show. He had a relationship with the boys at that point. He wanted them to have a cameo on the show, and he thought it would be hilarious if I also was there. So he made that little part for me. If you’re a “Workaholics” fan, that’s a great moment for you…it’s such an inside joke. You’re just like, “OHH! It’s Montez!” That’s a nerd moment. It’s like when you make a Boba Fett reference for “Star Wars” nerds. Star Wars nerds love Boba Fett. That’s how it is for “Workaholics.” I’m like the Boba Fett of television.
What can audiences expect from your performance at Jammin’ Java?
I’m always working on stuff. I have a lot of material. I like to go with the flow, too. There are some things that I want to try and talk about. I’m not trying to change the world. I occasionally get deep. I occasionally get political. But most of the time, it’s just my silly point of view about everything. Even politics, religion or whatever. It’s just my point of view. You’re either going to agree or disagree, but you’ll laugh in the process.
Workaholics will have another season. You’ve got your standup. We should be seeing more of you in the future. What’s next for you?
I’m filming [Workaholics season 5] right now. In the meantime, I’m just going to do standup. I’m doing a lot of colleges, a lot of clubs. I’m very accessible. I tweet at people. I’m auditioning for stuff. Movies. Commercials. All kinds of stuff. Hopefully somebody will give me a chance like the “Workaholics” did and then you’ll see me in something even bigger.
This interview has been edited for clarity and length.