Comedian Shore Finds His Niche on Southern California Beaches

Pauly Shore’s new comedy album, “The Future of America,” probably won’t make much sense to anyone over 21--unless it comes with a translation. That’s because Shore converses in “Dude,” a sort of slanguage invented on the beaches of Southern California where grinding means eating , melon means head , and fully means yes .

“Can you believe I’m making money off this stuff?” writes Shore at the bottom of “A Beginner’s Guide to Pauly,” which his publicist sends to over-age reporters who might not be familiar with the vernacular.

But among those who understand the lingo, Shore, who refers to himself as “the Weasel,” has become something of a cult personality. He hosts MTV’s “Totally Pauly” weekdays at 4:30 p.m., stars in his first comedy special Friday at 7:30 p.m. and next Saturday at 11:30 p.m. on MTV--and enthralls even kids who have never set foot on the beach.

“Everybody thinks I’m an alien,” he claims.

But Shore insists that his “act” isn’t an act--he’s not playing a character. “Like Paul Reubens and Pee-wee Herman are two different people,” he explains. “The problem with acting is that I always wanted to be me.”

Shore, whose album is part of a four-record deal with WTG/Sony records, calls himself a “comedy sponge.” His father, comedian Sammy Shore, was Elvis’ opening act in the 1950s and ‘60s. And his mother, Mitzi Shore, owns the Comedy Store in San Diego, Las Vegas and Hollywood--which means Pauly practically cut his teeth listening to the likes of Sam Kinison and Robin Williams.

Having recently turned 21, which makes him substantially older than many of his fans, Shore insists he won’t be “the Weasel” forever.

“Of course I’ll mature,” he says. “I’ll turn into somebody else.”