By Gabrielle Nomura

Before ever speaking to him, Alonzo Bodden is already making me laugh. At least, his voice-mail recording makes me laugh.

“And if you think AT&T service is bad in the United States, don’t even think about how bad it is outside the country,” says Bodden, who is currently traveling in the Caribbean when I give him a call in early February.

Self-described as tall, dark and funny, you know Bodden from his big win on the third season of the reality-TV series, “Last Comic Standing.” However, he’s also performed on such shows as “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” and “Comedy Central Presents,” and made a career out of radio, film (“The Girl Next Door”) and voice-over work (“Power Rangers Lightspeed Rescue.”) Born in Queens, New York, Bodden’s other love are his toys – which include several Ducatis.

SCENE: Describe your standup in one word.

AB: Honest.

SCENE: When Boone Helm at the Parlor Live club set up this phone interview, he told me you were on a cruise. Are you taking a vacation?

AB: No, I’m actually working. This is show biz, Gabrielle, no more lounging around.

SCENE: Pardon me. Seems like a fun place to work.

AB: It is. On this cruise, there’s a dozen different jazz musicians playing every night and I do comedy shows twice a week. I love it because I’m a big fan of the music, and I get the best seats in the house from backstage. It’s a nice working vacation.

SCENE: Where do you get the inspiration for your material?

AB: The news, mainly. The fact that Newt Gingrich is a leading GOP candidate after publicly stating we should repeal child labor laws is hilarious. If you don’t have a sense of humor when you hear that …

SCENE: Describe your character in the hit 2004 movie, “The Girl Next Door.”

AB: Well, if you can only have two scenes in the movie,  it may as well be the bouncer at a porn convention.

SCENE: Why is standup comedy your favorite medium to work in?

AB: When it’s just me on stage improvising, it’s pure creativity. Who knows where it’s gonna go.

SCENE: Ever been to the Seattle area before?

AB: Yes, I’ve performed at the Parlor Live club before. I’ve done the tribal casinos on the outskirts of town. I’ve also ridden your ferry, and I must say, it’s 2012 – build a bridge!

SCENE: Anything else you want people to know?

AB: Yes. I am nominated for an Academy Award this year, and I truly hope the Academy considers me.  No,  don’t print that, Gabrielle.

Alonzo Bodden performed at the Parlor Live Comedy Club on March 15-17.