Voice of 'Crank Yankers' puppet coming to Funny Bone

Comedian Jim Florentine is probably best known as the voice behind prank phone calling puppet Special Ed on the Comedy Central series “Crank Yankers.” However, two particular projects should change that.

“I worked on ‘Crank Yankers’ for four seasons,” Florentine said. “People still go crazy over the show even though it hasn’t been on in like three years. I’d really like to branch out into movies so I’m hoping this new one will be a good start.”

Florentine — who performs at The Funny Bone Comedy Club through Sunday, Jan. 24 — recently appeared in his first feature film, “A Little Help,” alongside Jenna Fischer from “The Office.”

“I play Jenna’s love interest,” Florentine said. “I’ve got four or five scenes with her and she was really great to work with. I’ve always wanted to do a film and it was awesome. It’s supposed to come out the end of February, but I don’t know the exact date.”

For a certain segment of hard rock fans, Florentine has reached godhead status as co-host of “That Metal Show” on VH1 Classic. Season 4 begins Feb. 6.

“It’s good,” he said. “People dig the show, if you have VH1 Classic. Not everyone does. It’s like the NFL Network where 40 percent of the country gets it.”

The show, which takes a reverent and often brutally critical look at classic metal acts, has done incredibly well for the basic cable network.

“We knew there was an audience for it when we pitched the show to VH1,” Florentine said. “They weren’t sure. We go to metal concerts all the time and there are 20,000 people there who still dig the music. There’s definitely an audience for this kind of music.

“It’s not a show that’s going to be on Fox or ABC, but for VH1 Classic it’s perfect,” he added. “You can’t get it anywhere else and people into that music love it.”

CONTACT contributing arts and music writer Don Thrasher at donaldthrasher8@aol.com

How to go

Who: Jim Florentine

Where: The Funny Bone Comedy Club & Restaurant, 88 Plum St., The Greene, Beavercreek

When: 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 7:30 p.m. Sunday

Cost: $17-$47 Friday and Saturday, $15-$45 Sunday

For more information: (937) 429-5233 or www.daytonfunnybone.com

Artist information: www.jimflorentine.com

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