Ron Funches from NBC’s ‘Undateable’ performs stand-up at Laugh Boston

Ron Funches stars as the loveable, sweet and happy-go-lucky character Shelly on the NBC sitcom “Undateable,” about a group of friends trying to figure out life, love and relationship. The actor, comedian and writer brings his unique delivery, quick wit and laid-back demeanor to Laugh Boston tonight through Saturday.

Funches, who recently guest-starred on Comedy Central’s new series “Not Safe with Nikki Glaser” and is a regular panelist on the comedy network’s @midnight with Chris Hardwick, has also been seen on Fox’s “New Girl,” TBS’s “Conan,” and in the 2015 film “Get Hard” opposite Kevin Hart and Will Ferrell. He also appeared on and has written for “The Kroll Show” starring comedian Nick Kroll and just finished voicing a character in the animated film “Trolls.”

Speaking to the Banner by phone from Los Angeles recently, Funches talked about his standup and what it was like working on the live season of “Undateable.”

One of the things I like about your stand-up is that it’s lighthearted and fun. You seem to be enjoying yourself on stage and in all your other projects. Is that important to you?

Ron Funches: Yeah, it is. It’s the humor that I try to put out — make people feel better and to make myself feel good. That’s really what my humor is about. It’s more of a reaction to negative things that happen in your life and the positive spin on that, so I’m glad that you get that from what I do. I appreciate that compliment. I’ve been fortunate to be able to work with people that I like and they tend to have a similar mindset, and don’t really try to create an easy target and do the same old thing where you’re just making fun of the stereotypical things that you think sometimes, similar to older comedy. I’d rather talk about what I enjoy and what I like. I don’t see any point in talking about things I don’t enjoy.

And speaking of working with people that you like, you’re working with fellow comics Chris D’Elia and Brent Morin on “Undateable.” How’s that going?

RF: It’s going pretty well. We actually just wrapped up the third season. We had the Backstreet Boys come on. That was a dream come true. It’s like I get to do a lot of things that I never knew that I wanted to do. It opened my eyes to how much I enjoy acting. It’s real fun working with other comics that I respect and being able to really put our own ownership on the material, and change the jokes up. It’s one of the best experiences that I’ve ever had.

What was one of the best things about doing the show live versus taped?

RF: It’s the closest thing I’d get to being on a team sport. I never really played any sports as a kid. It’s really like being on a team where we practice Monday through Friday, and then we have our game on Friday, and we celebrate after. It’s exciting and at first scary but then it’s very freeing to know that we only have one shot. No matter what happens you gotta keep going with it. It’s very exhilarating and exciting to do.

I would imagine as a stand-up comic this must be thrilling for you performing live in front of a television audience?

RF: That was the best part about it. Being a live performer and being able to go with the flow. Every minute that I do it, I mean one more take for sure, but it’s as perfect you’ll get. You learn to keep going and go with it. It makes it a lot fun. They can tell me what to do but once the cameras are going on, nobody can stop me. I can change things up if I want to and Chris was really good at that; kind of really expanding on jokes while we were on the air. It was really fun and really good to watch.

You’re voicing a character in the Trolls movie. Was that a blast for you?

RF: Yes. It was fun. I’m going to be on the soundtrack. I got to sing. It was just a real fun experience. I like doing voiceovers and I’ve been doing more of it. I have a unique voice and it’s fun to be able to play with it and see all the different things that I can do. I just want to experience it. I never thought I’d be in parts in movies. I love it.