Andrew Engel is the Founder of the Manhattan Comedy School and Director of New Talent at Comix. He produces over 10 New Talent shows a month at Comix, the #1 Zagat rated Comedy Club in New York City. All students who sign up for the Manhattan Comedy School will perform on a graduation show at Comix and receive a free broadcast quality, 2-camera, HD DVD of their performance. Also they may have the opportunity to be fast-tracked and perform on a New Talent show. As a producer for over 20 years, Andrew has helped the careers of countless successful comedians and has solid relationships with top talent executives. The following testimonials are from just a few of the comedians who Andrew has helped over the years.
“I have been participating in Andy's new talent shows for over 10 years now, first as a bringer and now as a guest. What keeps bringing me back are the enthusiastic audiences and quality of shows. Andy is the best at this stuff.”
- Jim Gaffigan
Comedy Central Hour Special
Late Show with David Letterman
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
“Andy Engel is the king of the New Talent Show in New York City. Andy’s a real pro and his shows are always great.”
- Greg Giraldo
Comedy Central Hour Special
Regular Panelist on Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn
Regular on Comedy Central’s Roasts
“Andy Engel's New Talent shows at Comix are undeniably the best of their kind! The room is frequently packed with extremely receptive crowds enabling new comics as well as seasoned professionals an opportunity to be involved in what is consistently one of the best shows in New York. And NOTHING beats the quality of the DVD's comics can make at these shows which can be used for anything from finding an agent to procuring a high profile booking. It’s Andy Engel's attention and professionalism that makes these show's work week in and week out. Andy is truly a blessing to the New York comedy scene.”
- J.R. Havlan
5 Time Emmy Award Winning Writer for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Late Show with David Letterman
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
“My experience with Andy Engel is that he creates the optimal showcase environment for making a DVD. This is not easily done. Putting a DVD together is critical to communicating what you have to offer, and there’s no better place in my experience to do it.”
- Dov Davidoff
Comedy Central Presents Half Hour Special
Tonight Show
NBC Series Raines starring Jeff Goldblum
“Andy Engel's New Talent show was responsible for my career taking off. My first development deal came from a tape that was made at one of his shows. The shows are filled with an appreciative audience that encourages you to do your best. A recorded copy from those shows will always kill!”
- Eddie Ifft
Comedy Central Presents Half Hour Special
Melbourne Comedy Festival
“I've been performing on Andy's New Talent shows for years. Back when I was really "new", I looked at it as a high quality show I could invite industry to. Now as a pro, I still love to do it. Andy always mixes new talent with pros, so the audience is guaranteed a good show.”
– Tom Shillue
Comedy Central Presents Half Hour Special
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
“Every success I have had as a comedian can be traced back to Andy's New Talent shows. I’ve done several of these and the benefits speak for themselves. First of all, Andy always sets you up to succeed and get a great tape. He understands comics and how to construct a line-up. From my very first tape, I booked a game show pilot with VH1. Although it was not picked up, the executive that hired me referred me to a TV agent in LA who eventually became my first agent. Since then I have been with several big agencies but it all started with that professionally documented 10 minute set.
I also sent subsequent tapes out to club bookers and colleges and the response was overwhelming. My calendar filled up based on people seeing those sets. I was even able to quit my day job (finally!). That in turn got me signed with my first Personal Appearance agency, APA, one of the biggest booking agencies in the country. I now headline clubs and colleges all over the country.
Since then I have done comedy sketches on HBO's Inside The NFL for which I won an Emmy, hosted my own TV series called Beach Ambush and am currently on my 3rd season hosting VH-1 Classic's hit show That Metal Show.
We may not all have the same paths in the comedy world but I'd say winning an Emmy is pretty damn cool. And Andy is a part of that.”
- Don Jamieson
Emmy Award Winner for Inside The NFL
Co-host of VH-1’s That Metal Show
Host of Beach Ambush
Andy Engel's New Talent shows are a staple of the New York Comedy scene. The quality of the taping combined with the energy of the crowd has made Andy's show a great place for me to prepare for late night television appearances. Andy puts his comedians in a position to shine, nobody can guarantee an excited enthusiastic crowd but the New Talent shows always provide that. It can be frustrating when you are trying to make a tape and the crowd is small, tired, or disinterested before the show starts. That's not the case at the Comix New Talent show, in fact the first tape I ever submitted to get booked on Letterman I recorded on Andy's showcase.
- Pete Correale
Late Show with David Letterman
Tonight Show
Comedy Central One Hour Special
“It was one performance in Andy Engel's New Talent show that started a chain reaction that led to a manager, an agent, Montreal Comedy Festival, and 2 network sitcoms.”
- Brian Scolaro
Late Night with Conan O’Brien
Comedy Central Presents Half Hour Special
“Whenever I wanted a new tape to send out to the industry, I would call Andy Engel about his New Talent show. He always puts together smart, enthusiastic audiences, and uses great recording equipment.”
- Gary Greenberg
Co-Head Writer, Jimmy Kimmel Live
“Andy Engel’s New Talent shows are in a class by themselves. I have never made a better quality tape to submit for jobs and that's counting NBC's Last Comic Standing finale! Over the years I have been fortunate enough to do Andy Engels New Talents shows and I have been seen by agents, managers, comedy festivals and casting directors under the best of circumstances, which means a full house and a hot crowd. Probably my best story was getting cast in a Broadway show when the casting director was there to see someone else!”
- Cory Kahaney
Comedy Central Presents Half Hour Special
HBO Half Hour Special
Finalist, Last Comic Standing
“I've known Andy Engel for over 15 years and have always been excited about being a part of his New Talent shows. The crowds are packed and rocking and the DVD's look tremendous. A guaranteed good time by all and that's hard to come by in New York City.”
- Vic Henley
Late Show with David Letterman
Comedy Central Present Half Hour Special
Sasha Baron Cohen’s Bruno
“A great piece of video is one of the most important things to get a young performer work and one of the hardest things to get—Andy’s New Talent shows provide a great opportunity for getting that crucial tool. Great audiences and a great-looking space. I wish it had existed when I was starting out.”
- Jeff Caldwell
Late Show with David Letterman
Comedy Central’s Live at Gotham
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson
“Andy Engel's live tapings have always been and continue to be the industry standard. The shows are packed, well attended, and full of energy. It's the perfect tool for getting you noticed. Andy cares about the comic. He knows how important a great DVD can be in getting you work and sends you home with a flawless reproduction of your set.”
- Andrew Kennedy
Comedy Central Presents Half Hour Special
TBS’s The Very Funny Show with Tim Meadows
“The last time I used the phrase "state of the art" I was selling stereo speakers, but that is what comes to mind when I think of Comix. It is a perfect environment for stand-up comedy. The sound is amazing. The seating is intimate, without feeling too closed in. You can watch the other comedians on the monitor in the green room. The club is set up to record a great looking, edited DVD of your set if you so desire, and you should. The staff makes me feel at home and I love working with Andy Engel who I have known and respected for many years. He is a mensch and a half. "Two and a half Mensches" would be a nice name for a show.
In conclusion, Comix rules, if that expression is still popular. If not, then Comix rocks.”
- Andy Kindler
Guest and correspondent for Late Show with David Letterman
Montreal Comedy Festival
Everybody Loves Raymond
"One of my very first taped performances was from Andy Engel’s New Talent show and it helped me land my first television appearance on Comedy Central. That appearance opened many doors for me and I have been a working, professional comedian (and more importantly making a very good living at it) ever since. I now Emcee many of Andy's shows and I have to say that out of all the many New Talent nights in NYC, Andy's is the best because he really cares about the comedians and wants them to be successful. He goes out of his way to produce shows that have consistent and well thought out line ups, packed houses, and a venue that has the equipment in place to ensure a great taping. The night of the shows, Andy appears to be a man possessed: he's pacing; going back and forth between the green room and the sound booth; reviewing the roster of comedians; giving last minute advice; all because he wants everything to be perfect. He's simply not satisfied with 'good enough'. Andy wants all the comedians to shine and that's unusual in this business.
Jim Gaffigan, Jim David and Cory Kahaney are just a few of the major headliners who are booked as regular guest comedians on Andy's shows - further evidence of his professionalism because let me tell you, these pros can't afford to be associated with anyone of lesser caliber. Andy is always honest and fair, a real straight shooter. I highly recommend Andy Engel's New Talent Shows."
- Sherry Davey
Comedy Central's "Premium Blend"
Comedy Central's "Tough Crowd With Colin Quinn"
Nick At Nite's "Search For The Funniest Mom In America"
"My first thought upon entering the room was 'This is a Tuesday night?!' The place was packed! My last thought after the show was over was, 'This is New Talent?' Besides the celebrity drop-ins, everyone was top notch. I have to say, Andy Engel puts together a great show! I can't wait to come back. Kudos!
- Donald McEnery
Emmy Nominated Writer for Seinfeld
Evening At The Improv
Co-writer of A Bug's Life
“Comix New Talent Night is a perfect showcase spot for up and comers. There's a chance to perform along with celebrities and working comedians in a completely supportive setting. On any given night, you overhear old-timers offering tips and sharing war stories with the new comics. Also the tape is so gorgeous to look at: it's the difference between 1971 and 2071. I wish we had had this opportunity when I was first starting out.”
- Karen Bergreen
Aspen Comedy Festival
Comedy Central’s Premium Blend
“Andy Engel is the only New Talent Director I know that is actually interested in helping the comics on his show advance their careers. I started doing comedy on Andy's New Talent shows and have since made appearances on ESPN, The Today Show, and HBO. All of these appearances came in response to my 5 minute DVD which was made on Andy's show. There is nothing more vital to the career of an up-and-coming act than a great 5 minute DVD and the shows at Comix produce the best DVD's in the city by far. They are shot great, they sound great, and most importantly, they are made in front of packed houses that are as loaded with enthusiasm as they are people.”
- Jimmy Failla
ESPN
The Today Show
"Performing on Andy's shows for several years has been amazing. As a full-time comic, I can tell you, there aren't many shows in all of NYC equivalent to the quality of the ones Andy produces. The audience is smart and there to laugh. The DVDs from the shows are always great. And sharing the stage with Jim Gaffigan and Darrell Hammond on a regular basis ain't bad either!"
- Lee Camp
Comedy Central's Fresh Debate '08
Good Morning America
Contributor to The Onion
"It’s as if Comix was built by a standup comedian; the sound, stage, and lighting are perfect. You cannot bomb on this stage (unless you are not funny or you are drunk or if you are just too tired and hungry to concentrate properly).
Andy Engel produces a high quality show because he’s experienced. He has worked with a lot of the best comedians in the business.
These New Talent shows are a great place to have people you respect come out to see you. It is a bad place though, to invite people who dislike you or have some kind of issue with you. Those people are best ignored.”
- Greg Fitzsimmons
Writer, The Wanda Sykes Show
Greg Fitzsimmons Experience
Regular on Comedy Central Roasts
“As someone who has hosted many of the New Talent Shows at Comix, I have been impressed by not just the large size audiences that each show attracts, but also by the audiences support of all the comics in the shows making it the ideal show to tape a DVD to send to bookers and agents.”
- Dean Obeidallah
Co-Star Comedy Central's Axis of Evil Special
Co-Executive Producer Comedy Central’s The Watch List
ABC's The View
“I was proud to do Andy Engel's shows when I was a newcomer to standup, and I am proud to perform on them as an established professional. Andy does everything to ensure you will have a great tape - from the professionals with whom you'll be sharing the stage, to the amazing audiences, to the quality of the DVD. You just have to bring your A game!”
- Maureen Langan
Comics Unleashed
HBO’s Actual Jokes
Opener for Joy Behar
I have benefited a great deal from the DVDs I’ve made on Andy Engel’s New Talent show. The crowds tend to be large and responsive, and the video and audio quality is great. The most recent demo that I posted online resulted in a talent contract with Atlas Media Corporation for an upcoming reality series. I think the shows are great for comics at any level.
- Matt Bellace
truTV’s The Smoking Gun Presents: World’s Dumbest Criminals
Sirius XM, Raw Dog, Breuer Unleashed
Howard Stern TV, What’s So Funny