JUSTIN HIRES: NEW COMEDIAN IN TOWN: On 'Disaster Date,' he shows how to be a jerk and get paid for it. (Video)

      Discovered by the music channel while hosting a radio show at Clark-Atlanta University, Hires was picked up as talent on MTV-U and was recruited to be a correspondent for MTV’s infamous Spring Break coverage, as well as awards shows around the nation. Just a few years later, he’s making his way in Los Angeles doing stand-up comedy and even hosts an even at the world famous Comedy Store.

      “My main thing right now is physical comedy, but I’m definitely trying to dabble into all of the realms of being a great stand-up comedian – storytelling, observations, physical comedy,” Hires said of he’s gig.

      He shared with EUR’s Lee Bailey that his greatest influences are basically the iconic comics he grew up with.

      “Martin Lawrence, Eddie Murphy, Chris Tucker, Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, the Wayans – I guess all the greats I looked up to growing up in that era of the late 80s, early 90s – Jamie Foxx, the list goes on,” he reeled off. “And I definitely respect Richard Pryor and Bill Cosby and Dick Gregory. I definitely look up to those people as well.”

      Fortunately for the up-and-coming star, Hires has had the opportunity to meet with almost all of his favorites.

      “I met Chris Tucker [twice], but he didn’t remember meeting me. I met Dave Chappelle. I actually do a pretty good Dave Chappelle impression. And I met Jamie Foxx. I’ve seen Eddie Murphy. I haven’t actually ever spoken to him, but we’ve been in the same room.”

      The only person that Hires hasn’t met, nor been in the same room with, is his greatest idol – Martin Lawrence.

      “The foundation of who I am as a comedian, it really came from Martin Lawrence,” he said. “Around the time I was growing up, he was on ‘Def Comedy Jam’ and that’s when the show was at its peak. That’s when it was new and it was fresh. And then he had his own sitcom, ‘Martin.’ It’s hilarious. So seeing him in the household on the TV screen so much and then seeing him do his movies, I used to emulate him and imitate him trying to discover who I was.”

      So now Hires has himself a TV gig, just as Lawrence did. The show is called “Disaster Date.” It’s a hidden camera dating show a-la BET’s “Hell Date,” with a cash prize opportunity.

      “Family and friend set up their family and friends to go on a disastrous blind date. Then improv actors are set up on these dates and we give these people the most horrendous date ever,” Hires explained. “For every minute that they stay on the date, they get a dollar.”

      Daters can earn up to $60 for the hour-long dates of disaster.

      “It’s a really funny show,” Hires continued. We had a great time on the shoot. You’re getting paid to mess with people. It’s great.”

      Hires and the rest of the ensemble of pranksters on “Disaster Date” can be seen weekdays at 6pm ET/PT on MTV.

      “It’s good to have a reason to be a jerk and get away with it and let them know that it’s all a joke,” Hires said. “Just seeing the relief on their faces is priceless.”

      For more on the show, check out www.mtv.com. For more on Justin Hires, check out his sketch comedy website at www.justjustintv.com.

Watch the trailer for 'Disaster Date':

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