Just Say Joe

Friday, Sept. 24, 2004 | 4:23 a.m.

WEEKEND EDITION

September 25 - 26, 2004

Who: "Saturday Night Live's" Joe Piscopo.

When: 8 p.m. Thursday-Oct. 3.

Where: The Orleans Showroom.

Tickets: $39.95.

Information: 365-7111.

Comedian and Frank Sinatra fan Joe Piscopo has a serious side to him, especially when it comes to correcting social ills.

The 53-year-old native of Newark, N.J., is the founder of Jersey Joe's Gyms, an activity center for Newark's inner-city kids that promotes drug-and-violence-free behavior.

In 1999 he was appointed to the New Jersey Commission to Deter Criminal Activity.

He also started The Positive Impact Foundation, creating positive media for at-risk youth, including the syndicated television show for teens, "Positive Impact TV."

Piscopo, now a resident of Trenton, is actively involved in a project to renovate Newark.

And the lifelong Democrat is seriously considering running for governor of New Jersey, a position that will become vacant on Nov. 15, when Gov. James E. McGreevey will leave office in the wake of a sex scandal in which he acknowledged that he had a homosexual affair.

Piscopo is best known for his work on "Saturday Night Live" from 1980-85, playing characters such as The Sports Guy and Doug Whiner, and doing impressions of Sinatra.

He has appeared in films such as "Wise Guys" with Danny DeVito and "Johnny Dangerously" with Michael Keaton.

Piscopo will perform his variety show Thursday through Oct. 3 at The Orleans, backed by the Vincent Falcone Orchestra.

During a recent telephone interview from his home in Trenton, Piscopo discussed with the Sun a wide range of topics, including politics.

Las Vegas Sun: Are you serious? Doug Whiner and The Sports Guy for governor?

Joe Piscopo: Is that the wildest thing, or what? You guys. The newspapers have such a power. I happened to mention it to (columnist) George Rush with the (New York) Daily News. We were just talking, rambling. I wasn't thinking, but everything was on the record.

Sun: So, are you tossing your hat in the ring?

JP: I don't know. Honestly. I have been politically involved, particularly in the social arena. My motivation is in helping those in need.

Sun: Where did this desire to help others come from?

JP: I was so fortunate. I come from a blue-collar background. My grandparents came from Italy. My father became an attorney representing non-English-speaking blue-collar labor. I had a good middle-, upper-middle-class background -- but I was a bad kid. I got kicked out of school. If not for my parents, I don't know what I would be.

I see myself in the eyes of these kids on the streets.

I once heard this little kid, 6, say it was an "... anniversary today. Six months my mom's been off crack." It went through me. How neglected ... part of our society is being neglected. It upsets me that billions of dollars are being spent everywhere else, but where it is needed the most. Gang problems are on the rise all over the country and we're taking care of everybody else's problems around the world.

Sun: What have you done to address the problem?

JP: Raymond Chambers, a friend of mine and a billionaire philanthropist, helped me start Jersey Joe's Gym, a nonprofit fitness center for boys and girls. I started the Positive Impact Foundation to empower kids through positive media.

Sun: Are you qualified to be governor?

JP: I've made every mistake you can make. You've got to get somebody in office who has gone through all of that and understands it. We have to get to our school system, make changes.

We've got to rebuild our cities. I'm upset enough about the image of my favorite place, Newark. My family is from Newark ... and we are committed to the renaissance of the city. I have an office there. There is a performing arts center in Newark that is one of the top five in the world. It's like becoming this beautiful city.

Sun: Sounds as if you have decided to run.

JP: I'm not committed to anything. I would like to get in just long enough to change some policies. We could bring focus to that. If I did run and were elected I'd get in for a short term and get out. Politics should be like jury duty. You should be forced to do it, not make it a career.

Sun: When you are involved in your community activities and politics, you still have your entertainment career. How much time to do you spend on that?

JP: I am out three or four times a month, doing a corporate show or nightclub.

Sun: Have you performed in Vegas before?

JP: I've been in and out, but never to this magnitude, not with an 18-piece orchestra. It's like Broadway. These cats can play.

Vincent Falcone, my musical mentor, conducts. He worked with Sinatra for years. I'm such a fan of Vinnie and the old man. We just did a show in New York aboard the U.S.S. Intrepid, blew it out hard and quick and fast. I was like Sinatra on steroids -- I've never done steroids, for the record.

I'm excited about coming to The Orleans. Me, Joe Piscopo, Vice Chairman of the Board.

Sun: What can fans expect at your show?

JP: It's kind of a concert. I upped the ante for Vegas. I've got the best in Vinnie Falcone.

We do a retro-look "Saturday Night Live" with a video -- it's heavily music based. I crack some jokes. What I try to do is like an old-fashioned nightclub act, only a little hipper. I go out and sing and dance -- I will sweat onstage. I'm in the blue-collar of show biz. When you leave, you'll say, "Joe worked for me."