Louisiana funnyman returns to Fremin’s

Daniel J. Forester III could very well be Louisiana’s hardest working comic.

Better known to audiences as Mutzie, the 53-year-old Chalmation (“I was supposed to be 54, but I was held back a year) has twice been named New Orleans’ Entertainer of the Year, “Funniest Person in Louisiana” three times and is a regular in churches coast to coast, in front of Fortune 500 companies and on various BET comedy shows. Fresh off a multiple-show gig at the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas, Mutzie returns to Fremin’s in Thibodaux Aug. 1-3 before shipping out on back-to-back Carnival cruises.

Fans scoop up tickets to his show as quickly as they go on sale for good reasons. Mutzie’s sidesplitting shows are about everyday people and experiences – and they’re clean, so all ages can enjoy.

We recently chatted via email to help you get to know south Louisiana’s funnyman.

How did you get the nickname Mutzie?

When I was born, my grandparents had a maid. When the maid saw me for the first time she said, ‘Awe look, he looks like a little Mutzie.’ To this day I don’t know what that means. My mom just made the spelling and it stuck. I’ve been called Mutzie my entire life.

Growing up, were you always funny?

Yes, I was the class clown. There were countless days with my desk facing the opposite of my classmates so I couldn’t disturb them. I never got in real trouble because the teachers laughed, too.

Even to your mom ‘n’ ’em?

I get all of my silliness from my mom. She was the funniest person I’ve ever met. She never met a stranger. She died at age 56 of cancer. My dad died at age 66 of cancer. Losing my mom was very hard, but I believe I honor her by making people laugh for a living.

Who makes you laugh?

Honestly, it’s very easy to make me laugh. I’m always laughing. My all time favorite comedian is Bernie Mac. He was the complete comedian. He spoke about everyday stuff – the truth – and he appealed to every race and demographic. I miss the Mac man.

What age were you when you took to the Comedy Store stage? Tell me about your routine.

I was 24 years old. I moved to Los Angeles with a band from New Orleans (The Raffeys) to try to get a record deal. I’m a drummer. I lived there for three years. While out there, I went to watch the open mic show, just to watch. As luck would have it, not one person got a laugh. I thought, ‘Shoot, I can go up for three minutes and not get a laugh, too.’ I went back the next week and I actually got laughs. They only give you three minutes to perform. I thought that was an eternity. Now, when I perform on the Carnival ships, I do five different 30-minute shows per cruise.

How has your show changed over the years?

When I first started comedy, I did like most new comedians do and I cursed. It’s a crutch. It’s easy to make drunk people laugh by cursing. Over the years, my act became cleaner and cleaner. For the last two years, I haven’t used any profanity – even at my adult shows. I don’t think you have to curse to be funny. It’s harder to be funny when you work clean, but there are a lot more opportunities to work if you work clean. I do shows in churches as well as the cruise ships. I work a select few clubs since I went full time with Carnival three years ago. Fremins in Thibodaux is an awesome place for comedy shows. Every seat is a great seat, the audiences are really nice and the staff is first class. That combination means there are some really fun times we’ve had.

Your career shows no signs of slowing. How hard is it to be a clean comic on the circuit today?

It’s much harder to get the big laughs when you work clean. But, it’s much more rewarding. When you can make a 6-year-old laugh and a 96-year-old laugh at the same time, there is no greater feeling. It’s actually easier to get work when you work clean, though. A club owner once told me long ago, ‘You know Mutzie, never in the history of comedy has someone left a show saying that guy was hilarious, but he was too clean.’

How do your south Louisiana roots creep into your show?

My Chalmette accent is hard to hide, ha ha. But the main thing about us south Louisiana people is that we are good people. We are fun-loving, life-loving, good people.

During the part of your show where you turn the spotlight on audience members, have you ever had someone take offense or leave you speechless?

Ha ha, no, but my light is very bright. I don’t shine it in older people’s eyes, I’m afraid they will think its Jesus calling them to the other side!

Where does that spontaneous flow come from?

That is something you’re born with. It’s not always a good thing to have. I’ve gotten in trouble at every job I’ve ever had because of it. But, it’s a great thing to have if you’re a comedian. That is truthfully a gift from God.

Are you really the “Funniest Person in Louisiana”?

I think my favorite thing about comedy is the fact that comedy is relative. My favorite comedian could be the person you think is the least funny and visa versa. I don’t think I’m funnier than anyone. People are always telling me nice things after the shows. ‘Oh Mutzie, you’re the best.’ I just laugh and tell them the truth. I tell them, I don’t think I’m the best, but I’m in the top ONE. Ha ha.

What’s on your bucket list?

God has blessed me with so much in my life that if I died today, my list would not only have been completed, it would have filled three other people’s list as well. I’ve been all over the world. I’ve met the greatest people on earth. I’m truly a blessed man.

Your profile on taltopia.com lists your hair as brown. What’s up with that?

Ha ha. When I had hair it was brown. I would have told the truth and told them that my hair is clear now, but that wasn’t an option.

How would you like your tombstone to read?

‘Look, he’s coming out.’

Who would be seated at your most memorable dinner and how would the conversation go?

At the table would be my mom, my dad and sister, Elvis, Walter Peyton, Peyton Manning and Jesus. I would want my mom there so I could give her one more hug and tell her that I grew up to be the man wanted me to be, and that I’m a good guy because she did a great job. I would also tell her that if God lined up every woman that ever lived and let me pick who I wanted to be my mom, I would pick her every time. I would thank my dad for providing for our family and being a great role model. I would tell my sister that she was and still is the best sister a boy could have. I would tell Walter Peyton that he was the greatest football player of all time. I would also thank him for giving 100 percent no matter how much time was left in a game and how bad they were losing. He is the true meaning of champion. I would tell Peyton Manning that he is the best QB of all time and thank him for being so humble about it. I would also ask him what the heck is up with all those hand signals before they snap the ball? I would tell Elvis thanks for being the first “star” who impacted my life. When I saw how people went crazy when they saw him, it inspired me to at least try. To Jesus, I would thank him for dying on a cross so that I could go to heaven. I would also thank him for every blessing in my life. I would remind him that even when I fail, I’m trying. I would also tell him that I can’t wait to spend eternity with everyone at the table in heaven. I must say that I would have my two children at that table, too. My son Newman is 20 and my daughter Rachel is 18. They would be meeting my mom for the very first time. Newman is my mom’s maiden name. We named him after her.

Your Fremin’s shows sell out so fast. Can you hook a sister up?

Of course I can. It’s always packed so you may have to sit on the stage, but a hook up is a hook up right?

What should I have asked but didn’t?

I’ve got to tell you the truth. I’ve done countless radio and print and television interviews. You have asked, without question, the best questions ever. It’s not even close. I would like to thank you and your staff for your support and willingness to speak to me. It’s an honor. You guys do such a wonderful job every month. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying you’re the best, I’m saying you’re in the top ONE!!!

A maid named him, Comedy Story “discovered” him and God’s blessed him. Chalmette comedian Mutzie comes clean about his nickname, his penchant for clean fun and who would sit at his most memorable dinner. Locals can catch his show Aug. 1-3 at Fremin’s Restaurant in downtown Thibodaux. Admission is $20. For more information, call (985) 449-0333.

COURTESY MUTZIE.COM