"Top Gear" host Adam Ferrara brings his comedy to Naples

If you didn't know any better, you might think Adam Ferrara has dedicated his life to law enforcement.

He's appeared in the FX drama "Rescue Me" as Chief Needles, the New York Fire Department's young battalion chief; as a police sergeant alongside Kevin James in "Paul Blart: Mall Cop;" and as New York City Police officer Frank Verelli on Showtime's hit series "Nurse Jackie" opposite Emmy-award winner Edie Falco.

But above all, Ferrara is a comedian.

Car-lovers have delighted in watching him hilariously host the critically acclaimed BBC sensation "Top Gear USA" on HISTORY channel. He's a two-time nominee for best male stand-up by the American Comedy Awards, and has three Comedy Central specials.

His comedy tour will bring him back to Southwest Florida for six performances starting Thursday and through the weekend at Off the Hook Comedy Club in North Naples.

Ahead of his performances, Ferrara shared memories from his acting career and how comedy has always been a constant.

Q: You’ve played a lot of law enforcement/emergency personnel roles. Why is that, and how has it impacted your perspective on law enforcement?

The first time I was cast as a New York City detective was with Denis Leary for 'The Job.' I do play a lot of cops and firemen. I guess it’s what people see in me. When I got the role of Chief Needles on 'Rescue Me' I had to play an authority figure, and one that was too young to be an authority figure. I channeled my father. My father had that presence. So I hooked into that energy. By no means do I know what they go through, but I can only imagine by being put into these situations... I hope to bring that humanness to a character. I appreciate the compassion it takes to be an officer.

Q: What is it like working with Edie Falco?

She was great. Edie was great. We’re both from Long Island. I remember I made a joke about a Dairy Barn, which is a drive thru deli, and she got the joke and I was like, ‘Yeah, we can be friends.’ We drank water from the same well. There’s a certain kind of shorthand because you grew up in the same environment with the same type of people. The characters fought well. I used to love when we had scenes when we are arguing because the eye roll fought so well. ...It was a joyful experience to create."

Q: What are some of your favorite moments from 'Top Gear'?

We did a lot of stupid shit. Season one I jumped a caddy about 40 feet in the air. I rolled a Winnebego. I almost sunk an amphibious car that I built in Lake Eerie. It was always a friendship adventure show for us. We were having such a good time on the show that it came across the on camera.  

One of my favorite tweets I’ve gotten from the fans was this one woman who was a single mother with an only son. She said, 'The only time we get to sit down together is to watch the show and I hope he gets to experience a friendship like you three have,' and I’m like you’re breaking my heart lady. My dad’s always been a big car guy and he passed away before I got this show, so to see that communicated to a family, that that message is helping another family, it’s very gratifying. It’s a genuine friendship. Don’t tell any of those two guys, but I love 'em.

Q: You've been streaming live on Facebook once a week for "Talk to me Tuesdays." How is that going?

It started because I would live tweet with the fans during the show. These people come back every week. And then Facebook started live videos. ...It's like having a phone call with 5,000 of your friends every week.

It’s great to have that kind of opportunity and what you can do with it and the connection you can have. That’s part of the reason I discovered that stand-up — and I’ve been a stand-up comedian most of my life now — it's that connection is what it’s all about. It’s about not just making people laugh it’s about connecting.

Q: What can people expect  from your show?

I pretty much take my life and put it through a blender. As things happen in my life I try to find meaning in them. My little dog is not doing so well but by talking about it you can kind of take the fangs out of the monster... Every time I come back to stand-up it’s an examination of my life, and I haven’t gotten it right yet. I hope everyone comes out and share some of my neurosis with me. I talk about my problems on stage so when people talk and laugh and nod I feel better about my problems.

IF YOU GO

• When: 7 p.m. Thursday, 7 and 9 p.m. Friday ; 7 and 9 p.m. Saturday; 7 p.m. Sunday
• Where: Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Road, No. 1100, North Naples
• Tickets: $22 to $200
• Purchase: offthehookcomedyclub.com; 239-389-6901