After making his mark on shows like “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” and “Chelsea Lately,” out TV personality Ross Mathews is tackling new ventures with the launch of his memoir, “Man Up: Tales of My Self Delusional Self-Confidence,” and the kickoff of a series of live shows.
“Man Up” takes readers inside Mathews’ personal journey as a super fan and how he managed to turn an obsession with pop culture into one-on-one interactions with celebrities.
“This is about me growing up in a small farm town, always being an oddity and embracing that,” he said. “It’s about going to Hollywood, how The ‘Tonight Show’ internship happened and the crazy celebrities that I’ve met. Some of the interactions are just nuts. It’s hilarious and embarrassing stories, but throughout there’s this message that is all about, man up. You are what you are. You have to love what you do and use it to make you stand out in a crowd. There’s a nice sweetness throughout the book without being cheesy.”
Comedian Chelsea Handler from “Chelsea Lately” put out Mathews’ book on her own publishing imprint, so it’s safe to assume she has given her blessing for all the projects Mathews, a frequent and favorite guest on her talk show, is taking on.
“She read my treatment and said, ‘I want to publish this book,’” Mathews said. “She’s been so supportive. She loved the book and I’m thrilled. She’s producing my talk show. I feel like I’ve had two real game-changers in my life and my career: Jay Leno and Chelsea Handler.”
Speaking of game-changers, when asked if he sees himself as a role model for openly gay individuals in mainstream entertainment, Mathews said he accepts that role — if that’s what people want from him.
“This book is dedicated to anyone who has ever felt different from everyone else,” he said. “I feel like I’m a role model. If people need that or want that, I will be that for people. I do know that I have something to say about the matter. That’s why, when I decided to write a book like this, it was just funny stories. I have the passion to put something out in the world that was something good — funny — but really good. And if this serves the purpose of people who need that, it’s good.”
Mathews, performing June 2 at TLA, said he is excited to take his show on the road.
While the show is being described as a comedy, Mathews said it’s going to involve more than just jokes and stories.
“It’s a one-man show,” he said. “It’s ‘Liza with a Z’ but it’s Ross with an S. I will talk pop culture in the beginning. I’ll bring some of the stories in the book to life. I’ll tell stories that aren’t in the book. We’re going to play a game show with the audience. I’ll be in the audience for a Q&A and then I’ll stay afterwards and sign everybody’s book.”
Live shows are a different animal compared to the more-regimented arena of television, but Mathews said he is looking forward to the off-the-cuff energy of a live audience.
“Everything I do always has the potential to go anywhere,” he said. “There’s a lot of spontaneity in what I do, but the way this is similar is that I love going into the audience when I’m on a TV show. What’s great about these live shows is we’re not on the clock. I don’t have to go to commercial. If I want to go on a tangent with someone in the audience, we can do that. Nothing is off-limits. At the end of the day, it’s about connecting with people, whether it’s on TV or in a theater.”
With all of his TV-show guest appearances, a book, a tour and his own upcoming talk show, we’re guessing Mathews either doesn’t sleep or has an extra few hours in his day. But he relishes his busy, busy schedule.
“I’m not complaining. I would never complain. But it’s a lot of work to get here and to be here. Every day I never complain. I just go to gratitude. I’m so happy and thrilled that I get to do this for the rest of my life.”
“Man Up: Tales of My Self Delusional Self-Confidence,” is in stores now. Mathews performs 8 p.m. June 2 at TLA, 334 South St. For more information or tickets, call 215-922-1011.