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Part 5: Carlos Mencia: Was Mind of Mencia a Chappelle Show Replacement? Dave Quitting
Part 3: Carlos Mencia: I Saw Mexican Gangsters Complain About Whites But Kill Mexicans
Part 1: Carlos Mencia on His Mom Having 12 Kids, Growing Up in Mexican East LA
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Carlos Mencia revealed how his career in comedy started and the story behind his stage name change. After witnessing a stand-up comedian's performance at the Improv in Melrose, Mencia felt inspired and confident about his ability to be a stand-up comedian. His first time on stage at the Laugh Factory brought him into the limelight, and the owner, Jamie Masada, encouraged him to continue pursuing comedy. Interestingly, Mencia's stage name was advised by Mitzi Shore, the owner of the Comedy Store. Despite being born in Honduras to a Mexican mother, Shore told Mencia he couldn't "be an angry Mexican named Ned” and recommended the change to 'Carlos Mencia.' Looking back, Mencia acknowledged the prophecy in Shore's words and the seamless acceptance of the change. He further explained that several actors changed their ethnic names to non-ethnic for broader acceptance.
