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Kevin Allison: 'The State' alum-turned-storyteller Kevin Allison: 'The State' alum-turned-storyteller
(14 days later)
Comedian Kevin Allison got a taste of fame in the 1990s as a founding member of the sketch comedy group The State, which ran as a TV series on MTV from 1993 to 1995. You remember it, because it was one of the funniest things on TV back then:Comedian Kevin Allison got a taste of fame in the 1990s as a founding member of the sketch comedy group The State, which ran as a TV series on MTV from 1993 to 1995. You remember it, because it was one of the funniest things on TV back then:
After the show ended, The State's 11 members – still mostly young people in their 20s – went their separate ways, but still sometimes intersected with one another: many appeared with Michael Ian Black in Wet Hot American Summer and Stella; others like Ken Marino joined Robert Ben Garant on Comedy Central's Reno 911.After the show ended, The State's 11 members – still mostly young people in their 20s – went their separate ways, but still sometimes intersected with one another: many appeared with Michael Ian Black in Wet Hot American Summer and Stella; others like Ken Marino joined Robert Ben Garant on Comedy Central's Reno 911.
Allison's path led him through standup clubs around the country for a decade until he hit upon the idea for Risk, the popular storytelling podcast and live show. Allison's path led him through standup clubs around the country for a decade until he hit upon the idea for Risk, the popular storytelling podcast and live show. 
Allison had spent the years since The State somewhat adrift, in the version he tells on his site and regularly to fans around the country: Allison had spent the years since The State somewhat adrift, in the version he tells on his site and regularly to fans around the country: 
But in 2009, everything changed. “I was doing a solo show out West, playing characters as usual,” he says. “Afterward, Michael Ian Black [also of The State] said, ‘I kept hoping you’d drop the act and tell some of your own stories.’ I said, ‘Yikes, that just seems so risky … ’ But even as I said it, I could feel in my gut that that kind of risk could lead to the best stuff.”But in 2009, everything changed. “I was doing a solo show out West, playing characters as usual,” he says. “Afterward, Michael Ian Black [also of The State] said, ‘I kept hoping you’d drop the act and tell some of your own stories.’ I said, ‘Yikes, that just seems so risky … ’ But even as I said it, I could feel in my gut that that kind of risk could lead to the best stuff.”
"The more I worried I was taking a risk with a story – because it was too emotional, too provocative, or just too nuts – the more the audience lit up.”"The more I worried I was taking a risk with a story – because it was too emotional, too provocative, or just too nuts – the more the audience lit up.”
The stories on Risk are often deeply personal – and deeply hilarious. The three or so stories on each episode are told around a theme, for which the tellers have mined the most embarrassing depths of their personal lives – think of it as a risque cousin to shows like The Moth and This American Life. Allison's own tales document his eye-opening experiences at Kink Camp, described at the time as "the most explicit story yet told on Risk". Ira Glass in bondage, basically. The stories on Risk are often deeply personal – and deeply hilarious. The three or so stories on each episode are told around a theme, for which the tellers have mined the most embarrassing depths of their personal lives – think of it as a risque cousin to shows like The Moth and This American Life. Allison's own tales document his eye-opening experiences at Kink Camp, described at the time as "the most explicit story yet told on Risk". Ira Glass in bondage, basically. 
Between audio podcasts and regular live shows in Los Angeles and New York, Risk features famous names telling the kinds of stories you won't get on even late-night Comedy Central. Others are first-time performers who perfected a live story through Allison's Story Studio workshops. The podcast can be found for free on iTunes, or at Risk-show.com. Between audio podcasts and regular live shows in Los Angeles and New York, Risk features famous names telling the kinds of stories you won't get on even late-night Comedy Central. Others are first-time performers who perfected a live story through Allison's Story Studio workshops. The podcast can be found for free on iTunes, or at Risk-show.com. 
Allison took time out from his storytelling to answer a Status Update for us:Allison took time out from his storytelling to answer a Status Update for us:
What was your first screen name?What was your first screen name?
Siouxpurrkev. This was before my brain transplant. Siouxpurrkev. This was before my brain transplant. 
What was your worst day ever?What was your worst day ever?
Today if I get caught spilling all these important US secrets to The Guardian. Today if I get caught spilling all these important US secrets to The Guardian. 
Who would you invite to your ideal dinner party?Who would you invite to your ideal dinner party?
The cast of Seven Samurai. Nudity required. The cast of Seven Samurai. Nudity required. 
What cocktail are you most like and why?What cocktail are you most like and why?
The Unusually Fantastic Podcast Host. It's not so much a cocktail as it is the answer I gave to that question. The Unusually Fantastic Podcast Host. It's not so much a cocktail as it is the answer I gave to that question. 
What are three items you will always find in your refrigerator?What are three items you will always find in your refrigerator?
Smallpox, Elvis and the Ark of the Covenant. Oh dear, have I said too much? Smallpox, Elvis and the Ark of the Covenant. Oh dear, have I said too much? 
What were you doing at midnight last night?What were you doing at midnight last night?
You haven't seen it on Xtube? You haven't seen it on Xtube? 
What did your last text message you received say?What did your last text message you received say?
Your Verizon bill is dangerously overdue! Your Verizon bill is dangerously overdue! 
What is a word you say a lot?What is a word you say a lot?
Barbecue?!Barbecue?!
Who was your first crush?Who was your first crush?
A Hummel figurine with his pants falling off. A Hummel figurine with his pants falling off. 
What was your worst injury ever?What was your worst injury ever?
Herpes. But then one day my doctor told me about One-a-Day Valtrex. Herpes. But then one day my doctor told me about One-a-Day Valtrex. 
What is the last song you listened to?What is the last song you listened to?
My phone says the last track was an episode of RISK! Who's laughing now, Beyonce? My phone says the last track was an episode of RISK! Who's laughing now, Beyonce? 
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