 "Photo: Raymond Orta")
‘Last Comic Standing’ is NBC’s series that picks comedians from across the country and lets them duke it out to see who the funniest entertainer is. Season seven will premiere this summer with a whole new batch of comedians, one of whom is from the Valley.
Raymond Orta, originally from La Joya, is currently living in McAllen and attending The University of Texas-Pan American. A jokester from the start, the communication major knew in the third grade that he wanted to be a comedian when he performed at his school’s talent show.
“I realized the only way ugly guys will get laid is if they are funny,” Orta joked.
As a child, Orta dreamed of performing in Madison Square Garden and having his own comedy on channels like HBO and Comedy Central. Currently, Orta works on the KKPS Que Pasa 99.5 radio station playing a character named Plutarco, and says doing the show has been the time of his life.
“I just want my face on the side of the La Joya water tower, like the Freddy Fender one in San Benito,” Orta says of his ultimate goal.
In reality the comedian hopes to be a self-made millionaire, attaining movie deals and touring across the world.
Auditions for ‘Last Comic Standing’ are March 6 and March 21. Orta will be attending the latter tryouts at the Gotham Comedy Club in New York. To his surprise, he is extremely nervous.
“I only have two minutes to audition, no more and no less,” Orta explained. “It is a lot of pressure. You have two minutes to change your life forever.”
A benefit show will be held for Orta and he will perform with Que Pasa Clicka Morning Show, other local comedians Superstar Salazar and Dat’ Nigga Tre. The show will be hosted by Sam Daily. The event will be held on March 4 at 7 p.m., at Tejano Rodeo located on 501 S. 17 St. in McAllen. All proceeds will go to fund Orta’s weeklong stay in New York for the auditions.
“There is no harder job in the world then comedy, making complete strangers fall in love with you, and actually making them laugh is difficult,” Orta stated. “I’m glad that I am stubborn, because if I would have listened to certain people I would have gone back to my room and played Halo for the rest of my life.”
For more information on Raymond Orta visit www.funnyraymond.com.
Be the first to comment on this article!