Greg Scarnici

‘I HOPE MY MOTHER DOESN’T READ THIS’

New York City-based gay comedian and associate  producer of “Saturday Night Live” GREG Scarnici is about to release his first book, “I Hope My Mother Doesn’t Read This.” In the book he confesses and details his memoirs and his sordid escapades in a time when he was just beginning to understand his sexuality while working in the entertainment industry in New York City.

My conversation with Greg was an overwhelming blast! I will be looking forward to meeting him in person at his book signing on September 22 at XES Lounge, 157 W. 24th St. in New York City from 6 to 9 p.m.

So did your mother read the book?
Not yet.

Is that the truth?
That’s the truth. I’m waiting for publication day.

Well, did you warn her at least?
I warned her, and I’m going to have another phone conversation with her next week. I will warn her even more.

So can you share a little bit of the book with our readers, without giving it away?
Basically it’s a collection of personal essays about growing up gay in New York and working in entertainment. A lot of it covers the late ‘80s and early ‘90s when I was just coming out of the closet, and I didn’t know who I was. The rest of it covers a lot of my early jobs working in entertainment, like independent films and movies I’ve made, shows I put up. That’s basically what the whole book is about.

So basically it’s about your escapades?
Yes, I guess that’s one way of looking at it, a lot of my escapades.

What inspired you to write this book?
Well, I’m a big fan of David Sedaris’ work. I thought he had a great way of looking at his life in a humorous way. So he basically inspired me to start being reflective on funny things that have happened in my life.

What’s going on in your life besides this book?
Well, I work as an associate producer on “Saturday Night Live,” and also I’m a music producer. My band Undercover completed its second album “Night Beats” last month. And in addition to that I’m a DJ, and I produce a lot of content for YouTube. I produce comedy videos on YouTube.

Is there anything that you don’t do?
I don’t do windows. Oh, and I don’t do women.

What kind of music do you produce?
House music. We have two albums out and a bunch of singles under the name Undercover.

What do you do if you’re on stage and nobody laughs?
Well the thing is, I’m not a stand-up comedian. I call myself a comedic artist and musician. A lot of work that I do is online on a lot of stuff like YouTube. When I perform what I like to do is one-man shows. And you know what, I’ve done many shows when the material just doesn’t click. You just have to commit to it and keep going. Sometimes if you commit to it and give over to the fact that you’re sucking, it wins the audience over. It’s sort of like, we both know this is going nowhere, but let’s have fun with it.

That’s probably one of the smartest things a comedian ever said to me.
There’s nothing else you can do except turn red and be embarrassed.

You also have a book signing coming up, correct?
Yeah, I set something up at XES Lounge on W. 24th St. on Tuesday, September 22. I’ve always done stuff there. It’s a nice space, and it’s centrally located. So I’m looking forward to it. I’m going to sign some books. Most of the book takes place in the early ‘90s, so I’m going to spin a bunch of early ‘90s house music that was playing at the clubs at that time. A few of my friends are going to get dressed in drag, and it should be a good time. We should have a nice little turnout.

So if I come, you’ll sign my book?
I’ll sign anything you want me to!

Do you have a boyfriend?
I have a husband of 21 years.

21 years! That is forever in a gay lifetime. Do you ever hit Fire Island?
As a matter of fact I’ll be there next week. I have to DJ at the Tiki Bar at the Island Breeze.

Do you DJ there a lot?
I do. I DJ there Thursday nights at Cherry’s, for the Blow party.

Do I know you?
No, I don’t think so, how bizarre. Every Saturday for the last five years I have DJ’d at the Tiki Bar.

If you were a new addition to a crayon box, what color would you be?
Martian.

You are porn star; what’s your name?
Rock Hanson. I actually shot a video on the beach on Monday in Cherry Grove as a fake ‘80s porn star.

Do you have a regular gig in the city?
I do. Robin Byrd and I do a party at the Monster the last Sunday of the month. It’s called Below Tea, and it’s from 6 to 10. It’s like all disco, tambourines, jewelry. It’s fun.

Is there anything else that you wish to promote?
Basically a book and an album is more than enough!

gregscarnici.com