Comedy Matters
Jeffrey L. Gurian

Colin Quinn Brings St. Paddy’s Day To Caroline’s

The show I saw at the Caroline’s was one of the strongest I’ve ever seen, and I don’t say that lightly. Even the opening acts, Tim Gage and Buddy Fitzpatrick, absolutely killed belying the stereotype that opening acts were “weaker” and not ready to headline a main room. Then Colin Quinn came out and destroyed the room, ‘cause that’s what he does.
I mean It looked like Iraq after the war. Not even a table was left standing. Paramedics were called in to revive people. He was a one- man wrecking crew (Good comedy sounds so violent!).
I also gave him credit for being secure enough to share the stage with such strong opening acts. I personally know of stories where performers were taken off a show because the headliner was afraid they were too strong, and would be hard to follow.
And the headlines I’m thinking of were big stars too. It’s like the pretty girl who’s so insecure; she can only hang out with plain looking girls to make sure she gets all the attention.
Colin’s at his best dissecting the insanity that runs through our minds. He’s like a comedy neurosurgeon, opening up the brain, and examining the weird thoughts we all have, and the weird inter- personal things we’ve all experienced.
Like the “good friend” who admits he’s a little too drunk, but still thinks the timing is perfect for him to share some insight as to how you should run your life.
Every other profession has a school. Why not comedians? Andy Engel is known in comedy in comedy circles for many years now. He’s known for producing comedy shows, and for his association with Caroline’s Comedy Club in the heart of New York City. What a load of people don’t know is the love he has for the comedy school he founded, also associated with Caroline’s, and called amazingly enough Manhattan Comedy School. I never said he was a writer, I said he was a producer!
A former performer himself, he realized the need that young comics have for a place to learn. It’s for stand- up and improv.
It’s a series of eight classes culminating in a performance at the legendary Caroline’s. Each class is three hours long. The aspiring, perspiring comics get a chance top work with a mike, something other school’s don’t offer.
Each class is like a performance where you get a chance to perform for 14-15 other students. He brings in guest speakers, such as agents, bookers and writers. Hey, maybe he’ll invite me! Like Andy says, “Every other profession or sport takes it for granted they need a coach. Only comics think they can learn own their own.”
Take it from me, they’re wrong. Call the school at (212) 774-4277, and tell him I sent you!

The Latin Explosion
A quick note on Angel Salazar’s hilarious pseudo- variety show with singers, dancers and mostly comics, at Caroline’s. I seem to be spending a lot of time there lately. Louis Faranda books great talent, what can I tell you?
Angel’s show rocked, and I went specifically to see my girl Lisa Lampinelli, the Queen of Insult Comedy.
I’m afraid to call her The Queen of Mean, you’ll think I went to see Leona Helmsley. Talk about funny! The girl starts by insulting herself, then goes on to every ethnic group in the room. You have to love her. She doesn’t have a mean bone in her body.
She just has the b---s to break down stereotypes, and say whatever she wants. Thank God. Politically correct humor is so boring. We need to take ourselves a little less seriously, and have a few laughs. That’s what brings people together. She’s like a social scientist.