Dallas comic Ralph Barbosa has never lived full-time in a coastal comedy hub. Yet he’s carved out a uniquely DIY career beginning with the 2019 title of Funniest Comic in Texas, and now including appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Comedy Central, HBO and his 2023 Netflix hour special Cowabunga along with some 5.5 million views on his Don’t Tell Comedy YouTube performance.
Arriving May 5 at the Venetian on the first leg of his nationwide Super Cool Ass theater tour, Barbosa talks about oversleeping through steakhouses, needing to explore Vegas more, and why savvy boxing promoters should keep him in their sights.
In your personal or professional experience, what is the most Super Cool Ass thing about Las Vegas as a city?
The locals, the people from Vegas! My first time going to Vegas was for comedy, and I thought it was going to be nonstop parties everywhere. I ended up not really going to bars or partying or anything, but what did surprise me was the amount of support from the people from Vegas. People after the shows kept saying, “If you f**k with Vegas, Vegas f**ks with you!” I was used to doing shows and getting laughs, but man, they really showed a lot of love at the shows. The people from Vegas are definitely my favorite, and the coolest part of it.
It was a little over a year ago that you headlined Wiseguys, and now you’re up on the Venetian marquee. Based on that progress, what outlandishly giant local venue do you envision starting a residency at in 2025?
Ooh, who knows? I’ll leave that up to the fans, if I can keep growing. Then the skies are the limit. But wherever I am, I’m just happy to be in a room with people doing comedy. I’ve been there I think three times, and it’s always been for comedy-related things, so I’m mostly in the venues and hotels, which already is crazy enough. One time I did get to go to Capetillo Boxing Gym.
My last time I was there, I was with Bert Kreischer. There was supposed to be a dinner first at a nice restaurant, and I ended up not going because I stayed asleep too long. We had been traveling so much. I woke up, like, “Man, I’m not there? Wow, and that was probably my one chance to visit that steakhouse!” Every time I’ve gone it’s been getting in and out for one night. I guess I need more time in Vegas.
So you’re a boxing guy? Since you’ve recently been collaborating with the Dallas Mavericks, what Vegas team or big-time sporting event should you work with next?
I’m not too big into sports, but I do love boxing. And I know boxing is huge in Vegas. So if there was ever anything I could do with some sort of boxing event, that would definitely be the right move.
RALPH BARBOSA May 5, 8:30 p.m., $41-$82. Venetian Theatre, ticketmaster.com.
Click HERE to subscribe for free to the Weekly Fix, the digital edition of Las Vegas Weekly! Stay up to date with the latest on Las Vegas concerts, shows, restaurants, bars and more, sent directly to your inbox!
