Theo Capitani Vonkurnatowski, best known as a cast member from MTV’s Road Rules: Maximum Velocity Tour and five Real World/Road Rules Challenge seasons, is moving on from a career that involved inner-circle alliances and voting teammates into competitions like the Gauntlet. Instead, the 26-year-old is now pursuing his passion: stand-up comedy.

With his last name shortened to Von, the television personality recently won the online competition of Last Comic Standing Season 4. One of Von’s best assets is finding the humor in serious issues, and his edgy comedy includes anecdotes about a sickly father, an addict brother and Hurricane Katrina victims.

Students can see him live Thursday at 8 p.m. in the Colony Ballroom of Stamp Student Union, thanks to Student Entertainment Events. Von, a New Orleans native who now resides in Santa Monica, sat down with The Diamondback to discuss comedy, MTV and trading coffee beans for beer.

The Diamondback: How did you become interested in comedy?

Theo Von: I liked laughter. I think it’s kind of cool. It’s a weird, natural reaction to stuff. I really want to pursue it. I just turned down an offer from MTV to do another Real World/Road Rules Challenge because it’s time to expand.

DBK: How would you describe your comedic style?

Von: Kind of clean. Kind of dirty. Kind of brackish, like when salt water and fresh water mix. Guys like Chris Rock and George Carlin made me want to do comedy. They’re hilarious. It’s not hard; I’ve been doing it for four years and [I’ve] been up on stage about 500 times. I tried starting to tell jokes on [Road Rules:] Semester at Sea. It’s like an addiction. Like heroin without the needle and spoon.

DBK: You were asked to compete in the online, rather than the television, version of the fourth season of Last Comic Standing. How did you feel about not being picked to be on TV when you had already proven to be camera-ready through your work with MTV?

Von: I felt like there were better comics than me, but maybe one of these years I’ll get picked. I wasn’t as experienced at the time and I used to get nervous. I don’t anymore, though.

DBK: What was your most memorable moment while filming one of the MTV reality shows?

Von: In one Real World/Road Rules Challenge, we got stuck in a category-four hurricane in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. There was no electricity for a week and a half. We got to hang out the whole time in the house – bond and party and make out with chicks. There was some filming, but it was real sketchy after a while because the crew couldn’t charge their equipment. Then a penguin showed up on the beach. A penguin in f—ing Mexico! We kept it in our shower and I think one of the cleaning ladies stole it.

DBK: Do you still have personal relationships with any of your fellow MTV cast members?

Von: I’m real good friends with Timmy [Beggy]. He helps me write some of my material. I liked the older guys like Mark [Long] and Eric [Nies]. I related to them better than the younger guys because the younger guys were too caught up in the MTV hype. In terms of straight-up dislikes, I used to not like Veronic [Portillo]. I called her Verantula. I’m also not a big fan of this new kid Derrick [Kosinski].

DBK: Over the past year, you’ve been involved in the Hurricane Katrina relief effort. Will you elaborate on the work you’ve done?

Von: I work with Habitat for Humanity to sell NOLA gear. The money goes to buy kitchen equipment, beds and other stuff for people in New Orleans in need.

DBK: How have you, as a New Orleans native, been personally affected by Hurricane Katrina?

Von: All my family is still back there. I knew people that lost everything. People with their grandparents who died. I’m always out there, though, visiting my family. Plus, I’ve been running around with this little white girl out there.

DBK: Is she your girlfriend?

Von: She’s not my girlfriend, but we’re hanging out. I’m single, though, and I still travel a lot, though. I’m open to whatever life gives me, whether it’s a trip around the world or a nice set of tits.

DBK: How have other struggles in your life affected your comedy?

Von: All my comedy comes from a pretty truthful place. My whole life is an eternal, constant struggle. It’s an everyday struggle trying to find happiness.

DBK: On a closing note, have you had a chance to explore the campus or College Park in general yet?

Von: No, but I’m looking to get out and explore the main thoroughfare. There’s lots of stores and stuff. I hope to trade things for a cup of beer or something. Where I come from, they trade for everything. I brought coffee beans from New Orleans and some Mardis Gras beads. Hopefully I can get some local beer for it.

Make sure to check out Theo Von at the Union Thursday night.

Contact reporter Alex Rush at diversions@dbk.umd.edu.