Gabriel Iglesias is on top of the world these days.
"I just had a Big Mac," the 32-year-old deadpanned at the start of a quick interview. He was on the phone Monday from Long Beach, Calif., to chat about his Fox Tucson Theatre show .
Wolfing down a Big Mac? Is that really how you want to start 2009?
"Well, you know, I took a three-mile walk before I had that Big Mac. I think I'm even now."
Are you Julio Iglesias' fluffy love child?
"No I'm not. But you know what, if you go back far enough with these Iglesiases, we all came from the same one."
Why do you go by the name "Fluffy"?
"It's a cute nickname. It beats the hell out of 'Fat.' "
Your show is pretty clean.
"I think it's like a PG-13. I drop a word or two here, but I keep it pretty fresh."
No politics?
"Some things are better left unsaid. Nobody wants to hear it. They want to get away from all that drama."
One of your comedy colleagues, Al Franken, appears headed to the U.S. Senate. Have any advice for him?
"Don't get caught."
Did you know Craig Ferguson is playing in Tucson on the same night, at the same time, on the same street as you? If you were me, who would you go see?
"I think you're going to have to go see him. My show's already sold out. I just called you to brag."
(He was correct; there were only a few single seats left as of Monday.)
Have you ever played Tucson?
"The first time I went on the road was to Tucson. I played a club called Bugsy's. . . . on the corner of Oracle and Roger. That was, like, 12 years ago."
How do you remember that?
"Because I still have the original poster on my wall. It was the first comedy poster that ever had my name on it, so I kept it. It was right when I got started."
So we figure into your comic legacy?
"Absolutely."
Was it a good show?
"Yeah, it was a great show. I met two comedians who I opened up for that day — Rudy Moreno and Gilbert E."
Was it devastating to be booted from "Last Comic Standing"?
"No, it wasn't, because if I didn't get disqualified I wouldn't have gotten the special with 'Comedy Central.' It freed me up."
What are some of your New Year's resolutions?
"To be more positive, not get worked up. . . . I tried the whole losing weight (resolution). Nah, it's an ongoing battle."
Have you ever considered going on "The Biggest Loser"?
"No, I don't want to get yelled at. That's boot camp. No, that's all right."
When you come to Tucson, what are some of the things you do?
"Eat. I always get taken around to different restaurants. That's the cool part."
