Jeremy Piven Brings Stand-Up Show to Boston, Praises Tom Brady's Work Ethic

Jeremy Piven Brings Stand-Up Comedy and Tom Brady Inspiration to Boston

Award-winning actor and comedian Jeremy Piven is bringing his stand-up tour to Boston's Wilbur Theater on Friday, September 19th, drawing inspiration from Tom Brady and sharing insights for aspiring Emerson comics.

Piven on Brady: "You Want to Go to Battle for a Guy Like That"

Piven, who has worked with the seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady, emphasizes Brady's leadership qualities, noting his ability to connect with people and inspire them to fight for a common goal. This observation stems from their time together on the set of "Entourage". Piven believes these qualities are a significant factor in Brady's success.

"I just remember Brady, he's one of these guys where you can just tell from being around him...You can tell that you want to go to battle for a guy like that. It's a variable that made him so great."

The Readiness is All: Piven's Stand-Up Philosophy

Drawing a parallel to Brady's dedication to studying defenses, Piven stresses the importance of hard work and preparation in stand-up comedy. He believes that thorough preparation allows him to be present, adaptable, and ultimately, successful in front of a live audience. He references his mother quoting Shakespeare: "The readiness is all."

Boston: An Authentic City That Tells It Like It Is

Piven expresses his fondness for Boston, describing it as an "authentic city" where people are not afraid to speak their minds. He appreciates this directness and believes it provides valuable real-time feedback during his performances. He finds the city similar to his hometown of Chicago.

Advice for Aspiring Emerson Comics

Piven, also offered advice to up-and-coming comedians, particularly those studying at Emerson College. He emphasized the importance of embracing freedom, going off-script, and developing a strong work ethic. He lamented the lack of comedic mentors when he was starting out, stating it would have been "incredible" to have someone to guide him.

The Importance of Tough Love

Piven believes that Gen Z has been "coddled," which can be detrimental when entering the competitive world of comedy. He advocated for "tough love," emphasizing that comics need to be able to handle criticism and rise to the occasion, drawing the line to the audience and comic sharing a dialogue.

"You just have to say ‘fuck your feelings’ at a certain point… You’re going to be released out into the world; if you’ve been coddled and taken care of, it’s going to be even harder."

Piven's Past Boston Experiences: From Edelman to Nut Punches

Piven recounted humorous anecdotes from his past experiences in Boston, including a backstage conversation with Julian Edelman and a memorable meet-and-greet incident where he was punched in the groin. Despite the nut punch, Piven declared, "I love you, Boston, and I’m coming back."