A foul-mouthed bodhisattva from the Bronx: An interview with “Last Comic Standing” audience favorite Mike DeStefano (Text and audio)

The comedian, a hit on NBC TV’s Last Comic Standing, talks to Lion’s Roar about comedy and Buddhism — and the unique way he brings them together — in an interview recorded just before the Last Comic Standing finals.

Standup comic Mike DeStefano, and friend

If you’ve only seen standup comic Mike DeStefano on this season of Last Comic Standing, here’s an advisory: the non-TV version of DeStefano — as found on his live album, OK Karma — might surprise you a bit. Every word you probably wouldn’t utter, in public at least, is there. (One exception: the N-word, which DeStefano believes could never be funny and non-hurting — or even acceptable — coming from his lips.)

Now, on LCS, he comes across as gruff and tough… but pretty likeable. (Otherwise, how would he have made it to the show’s finals, which will air on August 2?) On OK Karma, he’s all those things but… let’s just say: this is very adult material.

And there’s something else surprising about Mike DeStefano: He’s a Buddhist. 

“I don’t have great, or bad, karma. I have OK karma.”

Maybe one can’t be blamed for being surprised about DeStefano’s commitment to Buddhism: he doesn’t fit any easy “Buddhist” stereotype, and people don’t generally associate Buddhism with the kind of nasty language he’s known to use onstage. (Clearly, DeStefano gets away with so much because audiences can sense there’s a big heart under it all.) Nor does he talk about Buddhism much.

But he doesn’t exactly hide his connection to the dharma, either. He’s got a massive Buddha tattoo, and the cover of OK Karma (left) pictures him sitting in for a Buddha, seated on a lotus throne… albeit, while smoking a cigarette and wielding a firearm.

As the show’s end approaches, the biggest question about DeStefano is, will he be the actual Last Comic Standing? That can’t be answered right now, but there are plenty of things to ask this fascinating and unconventional entertainer in the meantime.

I spoke to DeStefano by phone about comedy, Buddhism, and recovery — and how he brings them all together. Click the player below to listen:

My thanks and best of luck to Mike, for the Last Comic Standing finals and beyond.