Recovery Comedian Pat Dixon Was Almost Murdered, But He found a Way to Turn His Tragedy into Comedy

Pat Dixon is a stand-up comedian, journalist and television personality who lives and works in New York City. A victim of violent crime (Dixon was nearly murdered in 2004) he created and hosts “The New York City Crime Report with Pat Dixon.” The show incorporates humor and focuses exclusively on court and criminal activity in America’s largest and most-storied city.

Pat has appeared on Comedy Central’s “Premium Blend”, “The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson” (CBS), “The World Stands Up” (BBC), “Very Funny Live” (TBS) and his own half hour special “Comedy Central Presents: Pat Dixon”. He has also appeared as a correspondent for E! Television, CMT, VH1 and the Fox News program “Red Eye.”

Pat Dixon hasn’t had a drink since 2000.

Recovery Comedy: What were you like as a kid?

Pat Dixon: I was a shy kid, but always looking for a way to get a little joke in. Then when I discovered drugs and alcohol, it solved all that.

Recovery Comedy: What made you decide to become a stand-up comedian and how long have you been performing?

Pat Dixon: I was a big fan of stand up in general from an early age, and it seemed like that absolute coolest thing a person could become. I was a fan of Johnny Carson, but when Letterman emerged, it looked to me like there was a new king of cool.

Recovery Comedy: Were you performing stand-up comedy before you got into recovery?

Pat Dixon: Yes, I was a major drinker and smoker at first.

Recovery Comedy: Does your comedy have a message and if so what is it?

Pat Dixon: My comedy is about laughs. There are many little messages in there, but you’d have to look and almost no one does.

Recovery Comedy: Who are your comedy idols?

Pat Dixon: Letterman, Attell, Dangerfield, Woody Allen.

Recovery Comedy: Where does your inspiration for material come from?

Pat Dixon: From my dad and brother. My dad had a way of saying things that made people just look at him and blink. Sometimes he phrased honest statements, which could easily have been considered insults, in such a way that they sounded almost like a compliment. I learned a lot from watching him talk to customers in his restaurant.

Also, I take a lot of inspiration from crime stories which I discuss in my podcast. Most people don’t recognize the comedic potential in violent crime, but as a journalist (who approaches each story as objectively as possible) it’s easy to see the possibilities for humor.I like to point out the logical inconsistencies and hypocrisies of organizations which claim to be passionate about any particular cause.And most of all, relationships and the issues they bring out.

Recovery Comedy: What is your joke writing process?

Pat Dixon: Read, write, perform, listen, revise.

Recovery Comedy: What is your kryptonite?

Pat Dixon: Time.

Recovery Comedy: Is your family supportive of your comedy career?

Pat Dixon: They are mostly neutral. My Dad is happy to see me succeed.

Recovery Comedy: Is comedy part of your healing process?

Pat Dixon: Definitely.

Recovery Comedy: What was your worst experience performing comedy?

Pat Dixon: Performing my half hour special for Comedy Central with food poisoning. I was sweating, and was advised to wear an adult diaper by the doctor, which I refused to do.

Recovery Comedy: What was your best experience performing comedy?

Pat Dixon: The next show. I’m gonna kill it.

Recovery Comedy: What is your favorite joke?

Pat Dixon: It involves a man and a woman on an elevator. The man turns to the woman and says “Can I smell your crotch?” The woman says “Certainly not!!!!” the man says “Oh…then it must be your feet.”

Recovery Comedy: What is your comedy dream?

Pat Dixon: A threesome.

To find out more information about Pat Dixon or to book him for your next Recovery Event just click here!

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Originally published at recoverycomedy.livejournal.com on March 6, 2014.