Still Standing
ANT, famous from Last Comic Standing, bringing his act to Scottsdale
By Kim Stredney

The comedian ANT is becoming well known from appearances on multiple TV shows, but he also still performs standup at comedy clubs and recently appeared at Los Angeles Pride.

Also known as Anthony Kalloniati, ANT will perform July 30, 31 and Aug. 1 at the Comedy Spot in Scottsdale.

He’s appeared on five seasons of NBC’s Last Comic Standing, stars on the Logo TV show U.S. of ANT and is the host of the sixth season of VH1’s Celebrity Fit Club.

ANT, who lives in downtown Los Angeles, said he noticed a change when he attended LA Pride in June. “I think we’re growing up,” ANT said. “As a community we haven’t been out that long, and I think we are finally starting to get it. The media even showed pictures of gay couples with kids this year.”

During a telephone interview, ANT talked about his start as a comedian, the reality show he would like to be on and a celebrity crush.

Q: When did you know you wanted to be a comedian?

A: When I got fired from (flight attendant training at) American Airlines. I met an agent on the plane a few weeks before and he asked if I would ever try stand up. So I went to the Improv on amateur night and heckled people. The emcee was pissed and said, “If you think you can do better, why don’t you try it?” So I did.

Q: Who are some of your comedic inspirations?

A: I liked Katt Williams until he was busted for breaking into a hardware store. Didn’t the guy just win millions on that one show? I used to love David Letterman too, until I realized he put a brothel in his office. Seriously though, Ellen, Whoopi Goldberg, Robin Williams and George Carlin.

Q: Who is your favorite celebrity you’ve met or worked with?

A: Carnie Wilson is a good friend of mine. She was on (Celebrity Fit Club) losing weight and still baking me all the desserts she used to eat. In the finale, she got weighed in then dove head-first into a five gallon bucket of brownie mix.

Q: What show would you love to do?

A: I would love to be on Big Brother. I always think, how are they pooping and the camera isn’t on them? How do they masturbate and nobody catches it? If I was on that set I’d have that stuff on live feed.

Q: And your castmates would be?

A: Kathy Griffin, Rosie O’Donnell, Spencer Pratt, Heidi Montag, Martin Short and Mrs. Brady, Florence Henderson.

Q: Any men in your life?

A: My partner died a year and a half ago and everyone was tired of me moping around, so I decided I just needed someone to love and got a dog. He’s a Chihuahua Min Pin with a Harley Davidson collar and a Louis Vuitton carrier.

Q: A lot of comics have dark personal lives, but you live by a very positive creed. How do you maintain it?

A: I have those dark demons — my partner passing, coming to terms with my homosexuality, some addiction in my past. You just decide one day I’m just going to move on, and I’m going to take responsibility for my part and be deprecating while still motivating people.

Q: Any celebrity crushes?

A: Gerard Butler ... I told my mom, “I would sell you to a gypsy caravan for a nickel to have sex with that man. If there was a train coming and it was either save you or kiss him, you’re dead.”

Q: What is your take on the Scottsdale gay scene?

A: They are more, dare I say, highbrow. They love their karaoke and they know how to sing. And they always have a black drag queen collecting money for a charity in the back. It’s all very organized.

Q: What can the audience expect?

A: Utter filth. I’m so dirty, but it’s really fun. It’s nothing they expect. Gays are so worried about coming to shows sometimes, but not when I’m in town. It’s a safe haven, very fun and we run the roost!