We have a special treat for you this month.  In honor of the holiday, even though it evokes wild eyed bitterness from some of us, we’ve decided to take a moment to celebrate love.  We have put aside our own feelings of dread toward “VD” and have spoken to our favorite funny couple, who’s love has weathered the test of winter, spring and estrogen. Even though their gushy love for each other triggers the involuntary gag reflex that we single and bitter people have, we were able to push through it to interview this charmingly humorous duo.  So, at risk of further boring you with anti-Valentine’s Day tripe, here is the question and answer session that we subjected the hilarious couple behind “Pulled Pork” and Betty Bowers to; Joel Bryant and Deven Green.

How did you guys meet?
Deven: Joel found me crouched in a wolf den in the Arctic of Canada while he was filming. I intoxicated him by spraying my pheromones on to his person. He civilized me.
Joel: Alternatively, Deven aggressively came on to me at a comedy club – a veritable she-wolf. She sniffed around and territorialized me. How could I resist? Seriously she ties a mean rope knot.

How long have you guys been together?
D & J: Since 1998. Oh my God, we’re talking at the same time!
J: And we…
D: have been…
J: performing together…
D: since then.
D & J: Oh my God, we’re talking alternative style!

What turns you on about him/her?
D: The way he negotiates his facial hair. Sometimes a beard, sometimes a handle bar, sometimes an ‘old-fashioned’ – that kind of face creativity just gives me a lady boner.
J: Deven makes mean cookies.  And that may or may not be a euphemism.

What do you argue most about?
J: (meekly)  That we don’t argue enough.
D: (passively)  You’re right Joel. You’re always right.
J: Sometimes Deven will put an exclamation mark at the end of ‘what would you like for supper!’
D: Wow, I get way out of line.

What do you do to make up?
D: After Joel braids my hair, he takes some lipstick and eyeliner to me and voila – a face full of fashion.
J: We try and be as formal as possible.  So after a firm handshake, all is forgiven and forgotten and buried…until it explodes at an inappropriate time.

What advice would you give a couple going through a rough patch?
D: Agree on: 1) no name calling 2) no bringing up other issues 3) only talk about how YOU feel 4) no raised voices and only one person talks at a time.
J: Try your best to listen without your ego.
D: Ask yourself if you have had this conversation in other relationships – if so, you are the common denominator.
J: Extend some kindness and understanding in that moment.
D: We all learn at our own pace, so either lead your partner to discover a resolution as opposed to telling them. No one likes to be lectured to. It is not for any of us to impose our lessons on others.  Use your instincts – they are screaming at you for a reason – listen to them.
J: Sometimes hate can bind you – endeavor to have love tie you together.  Or….try swinging!

What’s the way to a partner’s heart?
D: Do everything you can to let your partner blossom and shine. Support them in every way to reach THEIR potential (not what you think their potential should be). That is one of the most generous and endearing gifts you can give another person.
J:  That’s great advice!  Be there for someone, and they’ll usually be there for you.

What is the one food item that Joel can’t live without?
J: A chef.

Have you ever made him/her sleep on the couch?
D: Why would someone sleep on a chesterfield when all the toys are in the bedroom?
J: Yeah…I’m not sure where this is going.  The only couches I have woken up on usually include hangovers, trying to figure out where the Hell I am, and a fireman’s helmet.

Tell us about your proudest moment together.
D: I’m proud when we do unselfish acts together.
J: Yeah, so we don’t need to brag to each other.

Do you remember the exact moment that you knew you wanted to be with him/her?
D: When I damn well told him.
J:  Yes dear.

What do you do to let him/her know that you’re upset with him/her?
J: Deven’s pretty hard to get mad at – she’s like a child, so I just tap her on the nose….
D: …then I pee on the floor.
J:  Then I have to tap her nose again.
D:  Then I pee again.
J:  It’s very Dorothy Parker.

Where do you like to go celebrate or to feel romantic?
D: Geography meanings nothing to me. I barely know where I am – ever.
J: In other words, even walking to the corner store is an adventure to her and she is happy – which makes her a cheap date.

Where can people find you guys?
J: Just have a look at our website – the calendar is there for all of our live shows, video releases…
D: and interviews!
J: If you come to a show please come introduce yourself.
D: We want to meet you and read your pamphlets.  If you go to: http://www.DevenGreen.com/ it is also http://www.JoelBryant.net/ – everything you need to blow an afternoon.

What exciting things are you working on now?
J: I do live theatre, movies, TV, web series and commercials so just look on the website to see when they air.
D: And I watch them!
J: We do a lot of live shows all over the US, but we also do a lot of private shows as well.
D: A group of people will book us to come do a personal appearance or they will get the booker of a club to hire us to do a show in their city. We love it!

What else would you like to add?
J: How supportive Dina and Gregg are. We had a show in Los Angeles and, after the show, we realized they were in the audience!
D: That was so sweet and generous of them. That’s how they ‘dig in to it.’
J:…and they put out.

BIOS:
Deven Green is the creator/voice behind the “Welcome To My Home” comedy parodies and is “America’s Best Christian – Betty Bowers.”
With over 7 million views of her videos, a plethora of comedy awards and international web recognition Deven has thoroughly finger-blasted the zeitgeist out of the American lexicon.

Joel is recognizable from film and TV with an exhaustive IMDB listing (including: Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior, The Defenders, The Heartbreak Kid). He has been nominated ‘Best Actor in a Web Series’ and won ‘Smexiest (smartest and sexiest) Actor in a Web Series.’

Married in real-life (to each other) Deven & Joel are an LA-based comedy duo which headline from Canada to Vegas to the Middle East and every brothel in between. They are one of the few couples who actively support same-sex marriage and the GLBTQ community.

Deven & Joel – Award-Winning Comedy Duo
(Buy tickets to a show, watch a video, buy a T-shirt, oogle a photo)