The Rick Bronson’s House of Comedy pre-show Q-and-A series give you 10 questions of insight into your favorite comedians’ minds.

Comedian Andrew Norelli got his start doing impressions of family members as a kid. He’s gone on to appear on Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Late Show with David Letterman, and appearances on Comedy Central specials. Norelli works hard on writing the final material that makes it into his shows, and never travels without a way to listen to Katy Perry.

Norelli will be performing at House of Comedy, located at 5350 E. High St. Suite 105, in Phoenix on Wednesday, Nov. 12 through Sunday, Nov. 16. Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 12 and 13, shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14, shows are scheduled for 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Saturday’s shows are at 7 and 9:30 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 16, has one show at 7 p.m. Ticket prices vary by show and range from $13 to $20.

 

When was the moment you realized you wanted to be a comedian?

I was 8 years old, doing impressions of my family members. It was the first time they paid attention to me. I figured this was a pretty good formula for life.

 

What was your best (or most embarrassing) moment on stage?

Most embarrassing and best — my microphone went out at a show in Oakland in front of 7,000 people. When the mic got back on, the crowd applauded, and I said “That’s what I love about Oakland, you people understand ghetto equipment.” And they laughed hysterically.

 

What’s one thing you want people to know about doing stand-up that nobody has ever asked you? 

How hard it is to write funny, original and polished material. It’s not “all in the delivery” as people think. It’s in the writing and delivery.

 

Who is your comedic inspiration? 

My brother.  He’s seven years older than me, so his humor was always way ahead of mine. He was always mad except when he was being funny. So, I liked him funny.

 

What’s one thing you wished someone had told you about stand-up?  

You better like to write and you better be prepared to throw away most of what you write, because most of it never makes it to the stage.

 

What’s one item you never hit the road without? 

My iPod. Going in public bathrooms is so much less disgusting when you can drown out the noises with Katy Perry.

 

What is your favorite city to perform in and why?

Phoenix, ‘cuz you’re asking me.

 

Describe yourself in three words: 

Unfunny. Boring. Sarcastic.

 

If you had one day left to live, how would you spend it?

Trying to find a cure for what was killing me.

 

What did you do the last time you were in Phoenix? 

Nothing. Someone please pick me up at my hotel and take me somewhere.