TBS to The Comedy Catch

Steve Byrne

Photo by Contributed Photo /Chattanooga Times Free Press.

Comedian Steve Byrne says he has an advantage when it comes to starring in a sitcom based on his life.

"I think I just jumped into the deep end because I have no idea what I'm doing," he said in a recent phone interview. "I just show up every day ready to work."

Byrne, who will appear at The Comedy Catch this weekend, is the star of "Sullivan & Son" on TBS. The cable network picked up the series for a second season, and Byrne said filming will begin in a few weeks.

"I'm on my way in to write this afternoon," he said.

The show is loosely based on his life growing up with an Irish father and Korean mother. Byrne said working on the show has been nothing but a positive experience for him.

Peter Billingsley, Ralphie in "A Christmas Story," and Vince Vaughn are executive producers of the show, and Billingsley also directs. So how does Byrne not picture Ralphie in a pink bunny suit when on set?

"You know, I never did, but now I will," he said. "I've worked with him before and never really put the two together.

"It's just been great working with the guys on the show," he said. "I love the writing process, and it is fun to go in and watch a script get crafted."

He said he enjoys working with the other actors so much, he just returned from a USO Tour with fellow "Sullivan" cast members Owen Benjamin, Ahmed Ahmed and Roy Wood Jr., and plans to do a summer tour of comedy clubs and venues with them.

Byrne's other credits include hosting his own half-hour "Comedy Central Presents" show and two one-hour specials, "Steve Byrne's Happy Hour" and "The Byrne Identity."

He has a third special in the works called "Shoot the Locks Off."

He has appeared on NBC's "The Tonight Show," ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live," CBS' "The Late Late Show" and BET's "Comic View."

His film credits include "The Dilemma," "Couples Retreat" and "Four Christmases."

Contact staff writer Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.