| The Apiary Network |  |
 |
 |
||
 | |||||
September 27, 2005
Inside With: Donald Glover, DC Pierson, & Dominic Dierkes, of the sketch group The Wicked Wicked Hammerkatz and the newly formed Derrick
In addition to writing and performing full-time in The Wicked Wicked Hammerkatz, and directing their college arm, Hammerkatz NYU, Donald Glover, DC Pierson, and Dominic Dierkes (pictured from L-R) have created another sketch and video variety group called Derrick. It tests itself out this week at the UCBT's 7:00 Workout, which is sort of like a dress rehearsal for shows that could eventually become UCB anchors. The guys of Derrick sat down with The Apiary to answer the questions that matter most.
What goes on at these 7:00 shows? Is it like watching a real performance?
Don: Yeah, it's a real performance. At least I think so.
DC: You sure?
Don: Are you?
DC: Not entirely.
Dominic: If we're gonna embarrass ourselves, I'd rather not do it.
Don: Deal. Show's cancelled.
What are your roles with Hammerkatz NYU?
DC: Donald and I are both still NYU students, and we co-direct HKATZNYU. The Hammerkatz that performs at UCB was born out at NYU, but our founder (and director of Wicked Wicked Hammerkatz) AJ Morales wanted to found a sketch comedy club like the one he had when he was an undergrad at Arizona State, that would continue after the original members were gone.
Donald: The goal with HKATZNYU is to be the new National Lampoon. We want to be a school for sketch. Like, if somebody's applying for a writing staff in ten years, we want to have the sort of reputation where if they have "Hammerkatz" on their resume, that's a big deal.
DC: We want our free shows to be the best part of going to NYU. Which is actually not that difficult, because most of going to NYU is paying 40 grand to realize how not unique you are.
Donald: Also being forced to hear big loud cliques of kids in berets loudly quote Family Guy when you're trying to read.
DC: Yes, also that.
Speaking of the name of the group, Is the "Wicked Wicked" what separates the two Hammerkatz entities? Or is it the NYU?
DC: Uh...the pretentious, half-baked way I explain it on the HKATZNYU website is that when there's a band in the US and a band in the UK with the same name, the England band just throws "UK" at the end of the name. Thus, Hammerkatz NYU is the Hammerkatz of NYU. It's confusing, granted. I hope it's confusing in a good way, where people aren't always clear who they're going to see but they know they can trust the name.
Donald, regarding your recent Late Night appearances, how does it feel to be a nationally recognized celebrity?
Donald: It's not that weird. It's cool to have people walking down the street say "Hey! you're the black guy from Conan!", but then I walk two steps and people stop and go "Hey! You're Kanye West!" Two more steps and "Hey! You're James Earl Jones" Basically, what I'm trying to say is...Conan thinks I'm James Earl Jones.
Which of you is funnier?
DC: Donald.
Dominic: Donald.
Donald: Donald.
Has DC told any of you guys what the DC stands for?
Donald: I was told it stood for "Derrick Comedy". But I bet Dominic was just trying to scare me before I went to bed.
Dominic: I thought it helped you sleep?
We'll figure out what it stands for one of these days! But, is there anything else the global internet community needs to know right now?
DC: Keep checking derrickcomedy.com for audio sketches that will make your iPod funnier. We just posted a video that's a pretty good example of the style of stuff we'll be doing on Thursday. Check it out. You aren't doing anything better at work.
Derrick is pop culture, hip hop, sketch comedy, and death. It features FRAN GILLESPIE as THE GIRL and films by Dan Eckman. It will play in a 7:00 o'clock Workout Slot this Thursday at the UCB Theater before heading down to Atlanta for a weekend of shows at Push Push Theater.
Posted by The Apiary at September 27, 2005 10:49 AM