Read the transcript of the exclusive Chat with Daily Show Correspondent Vance DeGeneres held on Wednesday, August 25, 1999.

Vance is most renown for his Tales of Survival pieces on The DAILY SHOW with Jon Stewart, which airs every night at 11:00 on COMEDY CENTRAL.



comedy_host -- Vance is in the house! And he'll be answering your questions in just a few minutes. He's just catching his breath .... Maybe he'll tell you HIS Tale of Survival. You won't believe why Vance was late ...he's got a good excuse. So, Vance ? why were you late?

vance_degeneres: Sorry I'm late.. I had a huge tattoo applied. Then got stuck doing an interview with MTV... And now I'm here. Getting naked!


Shelly {ask} How did you get your job on the Daily Show?

vance_degeneres: The exec producers, (creators of the show)... about 3 years ago, saw a tape of my show. I auditioned for the host job, but didn't get it. They offered me the job of correspondent, but at the same time I was offered a writing job on Ellen. I took the writing job. Cut to 2 1/2 years later. They called my agent to ask if I was available, and I was. So, I moved to NY in January from Los Angeles. I may write a tell all pamphlet. Actually anything anyone needs to know about me... I can probably fit it in one sentence. Anything you need to know, just ask!

jonstewart: Are you friends with all of the correspondents?

vance_degeneres: If you really are in fact Jon Stewart... you wouldn't ask that question because you know I'm not speaking to you right now... (However, I do like all my fellow correspondents)

I Love Vance: What is your favorite correspondence piece that you've done?

vance_degeneres: The Tale of Survival about Blackie, the cat stuck in the tree.

jonstewart: Are most of the tale of survival stories, your ideas?

vance_degeneres: No. We have a terrific research department and field producers. Generally, the ideas are generated by them...for those pieces. And by the way, if anybody has any ideas for tales of survival in your neck of the woods. Let me know.

heypb: How long are you scheduled to be doing the daily show & if you ever leave (hope you won't) what would you like to be doing?

vance_degeneres: My contract is contingent on doing a good job on the web chat tonight! (I just signed on for one more year) so at least one more year. I'll stay as long as Jon stays. Unless he stays until he's 90. Then I won't stay.

Sarah1982: Who is your favorite music group? 

vance_degeneres: The Beatles! I have extremely eclectic taste in music. I love all different kinds of Music. I'm from New Orleans. I love the Neville Brothers, Meters. It's so hard to narrow down.


orionpax: Vance, what other projects are you working on

vance_degeneres: I still write and record music. I have a digital recording studio at my apt. I collect vintage musical instruments.

Shelly: What was it like growing up with Ellen? 

Vance_DeGeneres: Ellen? She was so much blonder than me... Actually, she's my little sister... and we didn't hang out until we got older. We have a great relationship today. But when we were younger, she bugged the hell out of me.

shoshana what is your very earliest memory?

vance_degeneres: Walking into this room. and eating a cookie as I waited for the first question. I guess I have a kind of bad memory. Honestly, I remember me running around... in short pants, cowboy boots, and a cowboy hat ... with no shirt on. But I think I pretty much grew out of that stage by the time I left high school.

Susan: What activities Did you do in high school?

vance_degeneres: I didn't really go out and party with friends. I played in a band on weekends. And worked as an announcer at a radio station during the week. And made cookies for the homeless. At least, my cousins told me they were homeless.

tizzie: Vance, what's your favorite TV show?

vance_degeneres: The Simpsons. Followed closely by Seinfeld reruns. Followed by the Twilight Zone, and old Andy Griffith reruns.

Leibow_Girl Vance, are you doing anything else besides the Daily Show

vance_degeneres: No, I don't have a band these days. However, my old band, The Cold is having reunion concerts. The Friday and Saturday nights after Thanksgiving in New Orleans at the Howlin' Wolf. We will be releasing a live CD at the same time. Live music from the early days of The Cold.

michro: Have you ever found one of the people you interview on the field so weird you wanted to drop the story?

vance_degeneres: The first story I did in Canada was about a man who forecast the weather by fondling pig spleens. I almost fainted when they butchered the pig two feet from my face. The smell was incredible. I recommend it to anyone who wants to truly appreciate how good they have it.

Venus: How long does it take to finish a field piece?

vance_degeneres: We shoot the story in one day. Editing takes three days. Edited by an editor and a field producer. And a correspondent. And then we slap it on the air. Generally, from shoot to air takes no more than two weeks.

freakazoid64: Do you believe in aliens, bigfoot, lock ness or anything like that?

vance_degeneres: No, (timidly) I believe in something like that. But not any of the things you just said. I happen to know for a fact that.....uh...never mind...I best keep my mouth shut.

jonstewart: Has TDS been your favorite job so far?

vance_degeneres: With the exception of my very first job, where I had to scrape dried donut batter off the floor, yes it is my favorite job.

I Love Vance: Are you currently involved with anyone?

vance_degeneres: Yes.

MadFan: Is there anything in particular you do to get your comedic juices flowing?

vance_degeneres: I find that 30 minutes prior to showtime, just going into a room and spending ten or 15 minutes of quiet time meditating.. and then doing some crack works best.

I Love Vance: Has fame gone to your head yet?

vance_degeneres: When you have a sister as famous as mine, the little bit of fame that I may have...is so little in comparison that I have no problem with keeping a pretty level head. I try not to take myself very seriously. What I do, is really trivial compared to most other jobs.

H11ary: Do you ever wish that you were in Jon's position?

vance_degeneres: Well, I originally interviewed for his position, so I would be lying if I said no -- However, I just couldn't imagine having to follow Jon. He's the best!

Candi: are you going to be appearing in any films?

vance_degeneres: No plans. But I may do a guest spot on a sitcom or two. I'm really, really busy just doing The Daily Show.

Trellen: do u like living in New York or LA better?

vance_degeneres: I lived in LA for 13 years. I had a house and a dog and good friends and I really liked it. New York is completely different. But I'm getting used to it, and enjoying it. It's a big adjustment.

freakazoid64: Are you guys there at the show going to do another Daily View?

vance_degeneres: Not that I know of, but we do have another special coming up Monday Aug. 30th at 11pm. It's our Summer Spectacular. The correspondents and Jon just kick back, get a little sun, and eat some dogs.

sweet pea: do you know how to ballroom dance? (hey--it's worth a shot)

vance_degeneres: Dear Sweet Pea, I would probably do major harm to any Ballroom dance partner and I don't have insurance to cover the damages.

Susan: what college did you go to and what was your major?

vance_degeneres: Loyola in New Orleans for all of one semester. Before dropping out to pursue my career.

Ms. Foley: What's your favorite correspondence piece that you've done on TDS?

vance_degeneres: The Tales of Survival, but my favorite regular piece is The Conedom story. The guy was very nice and hilarious. He took everything so straight.

Sarah1982: What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?

vance_degeneres: Chocolate. Sometimes chocolate chocolate chip - Hagen Daaz. But Godiva is a close second.

clairvoyant: What is Dave Blog really like, Vance?

vance_degeneres: Dave is a man of mystery. He's rarely seen in daylight hours and when he is, it's only a glimpse and then he's gone. He's much like the fog. Wafting under doors. Oh wait. I'm sorry I'm thinking of something else. Dave Blog is a very funny guy and I keep trying to write him in my pieces, but he keeps getting edited out.

MadFan: Do the people you interview know that they will be appearing on a comedy news show?

vance_degeneres: Most do, some don't. These days the show is much higher profile, so yes, most people understand that it's not going to be Dateline NBC.

melissasue: what did you do for a job before you came to the daily show?

vance_degeneres: Well, this time last year I took 3 months off and toured with some friends of mine with a band called Cowboy Mouth on MCA records. I played keyboards and guitar. We toured for while as the opening act for Barenaked Ladies. So if I weren't doing this, playing music is not a bad thing either.

shoshana: what kind of music is Cowboy Mouth?

vance_degeneres: It's perhaps the best live rock 'n' roll band in the country. It's pretty much, good straight-ahead rock n roll with great melodies and harmonies.

AllisonK: what new artists on the airwaves right now are you listening to?

vance_degeneres: Ben Folds Five... I love Sarah MaClachlan. And watch tonight's show and you'll see another one of my favorites.

Comedy_host: Vance, thanks for stopping by tonight ... as they say in the talk show business. Any parting words?

vance_degeneres: Sorry I didn't get to answer every question. If I didn't answer yours, I apologize. Hopefully next time. Thanks a lot for watching the show. Maybe I'll run into you sometime. Now I'm going to eat dinner.

Comedy_host: Thanks Vance ... see you tonight on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart at 11 PM/ET .... when you reveal who your favorite performer is!