Comedian Enters New Phase of His Career: Radio

Ken Sevara got his start in show business by breaking into comedian Tom Dreesen's dressing room at the Playboy Club. Little did he know that would lead to a lifelong relationship with a friend and mentor, who was his first interview on his new weekly radio show on WJOL-AM (1340).

After 40 years on the stand-up comedy and professional speaking circuit, Sevara, who also books the comedy acts for , says he's in the process of reinventing himself. And he's having a ball.

"I've got to be doing something that I feel passionate about," Sevara said.

From his shaky start on the Playboy Club circuit with comedy partner Jim O'Brien (they were the second-youngest act ever to tour the clubs), Sevara quickly rose through the ranks with Dreesen as his guide, following his mentor to Los Angeles. Sevara said he and his partner spent hours at the back of the Comedy Store, watching professionals like Jerry Seinfeld, Richard Pryor, David Letterman, Robin Williams and Gallagher keep audiences roaring.

"You got better through osmosis," he said.

"You'd (see these guys) and look at his technique, how is he holding his mic, how is he delivering his lines. We got to watch the best of the best," Sevara added.

From Onstage to On Air

The radio opportunity arose earlier this year when WJOL's Friends Over 50 Show hosts Ed Kerfin and Ross Novak had Sevara on several times to do his Harry Caray impression.

"I cracked them up so much, they asked me to be on their show (this summer)," he said of his one-hour time slot--11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Fridays--in the middle of the established three-hour program, which airs 10 a.m. to 1 p.m Fridays.

Sevara, who has done radio in several markets, including WGN-AM (720) and WLS-AM (890) in Chicago, said he enjoyed being a sidekick. However, he felt it was time to break out and see what he could do on his own.

"I jumped at (the WJOL opportunity), and I think I'm good at it, Sevara said. "I'm very fascinated in people and how they got into their business. You have to really love the subject."

Sevara is trying to make his segments appeal to both local and national audiences. Last week, he interviewed a friend and colleague who is a Fox News writer and who recently published a book on nanotechnology, something that intrigues Sevara. The two spent the hour talking about nanotechnology as it relates to the medical field.

He's also interviewed playwright John Powers, the band 5 Guys Named Moe and character actor Wayne Powers. He also has plans for lots of other big names down the road.

"I've interviewed Seinfeld and George Carlin," said Sevara, who will be able to fill his interview slots by drawing on his 40 years of show business experience.

Reinvented and It Feels So Good

The one challenge in moving to radio, however, is not getting immediate audience feedback.

"In the studio I don't know what they're thinking or if they're interested," he said.

But Sevara still seems to be following the advice of Brenda Carlin, George Carlin's wife, who told him as he was leaving Los Angeles in 1984, "Go home where you're comfortable and redevelop your act."

The reinvention process might be work, but Sevara is loving every minute of it.

"I thank God every day that I can do this," he said.