Rick Shapiro’s dance card is pretty full these days. We’ve only hit April in 2012 and the comedian has released his book, Unfiltered, starred in the movie Project X and most recently released a new comedy album, Catalyst For Change on Stand Up! Records. Shapiro’s been a staple and one of the most interesting men in the comedy scene for years. It’s no surprise anyone would want to sit down for a chat with the man.

So we asked Rick what are the 5 Reasons to have a cup of coffee with him (and he promptly answered us in the third person).

Reason #1
To probe, to pay attention to what’s happening within you. Him and the world! To inform each other and be inspired. To realize and really realize again and again. To have more coffee. To count how many times u say yeah but don’t judge.

Reason #2
“I’m that guy who riffs, rambles, extols, demeans, exalts, hunts, rages, sweetifies, defies, and hates more… and loves wildly, and more…and paints ― I mean and hurls and causes and caused and causes and screws and screws and being taught to hold back and lives in the past.”

Reason #3
Because Rick Shapiro doesn’t sight-see or sing family songs on road trips…I drink coffee and look into people’s eyes for the truth or tell them that their eyes are dead. I point out that there are ways for Men to stand up to the continuum of lies and thievery (AKA Freddy Mack, Newt Gingrich) without being bogged down by so-called due process…like get a job as a fake political aid, buy a clip board and a suit, say “are you Rick Santorum, I am here to help you”…and then kick the living shit out of him. And his campaign team gathers around, say “what, I thought it was a horse and he was looking at me funny. And then admit, I thought it was a gargoyle which made me think of Michele Bachman. Okay, okay, I admit, I thought it was Shrek, but I knew it was Newt Gingrich.”

Reason #4
To tell Rick that your friend heard his CD and was blown away, and then he saw with 40 friends on PROJECT X and couldn’t believe how good it was. And the book was like entering the rabbit hole of Rick Shapiro’s Mind.

Reason #5
Or so that Rick Shapiro can slap you the moment you talk about actually said “I’m learning about karma by watching “MY NAME IS EARL.” !!!!!! SHE ACTUALLY FUCKING SAID THAT. That way I can keep the hypnotherapist comedian from moving to Schenectady…

Rick’s CD Catalyst For Change and book Unfiltered are in stores now.