Comedian Colin Quinn has had much success as a comedian both inside and out of New York's comedy clubs. After having worked on Saturday Night Live, he currently has his own show on Comedy Central, Tough Crowd With Colin Quinn. He sat down for an interview with The Comical's Danny Lobell and Paul Crisci after finishing a set at The Comedy Cellar.
Danny: What's your favorite story from all your time in show business?
Colin: Well… the best story is probably that the first time I ever did comedy I was locked up in jail in Times Square.
Danny: How did that happen?
Colin: I was wasted and heading to the improv for my first ever set, but in those days there was a long line to maybe get on. But there was a long wait and I didn't want to wait. While I was drunk I tried to buy some "controlled substances" and got busted with about forty of my friends. So I said to the cops in a drunken slur, "Let me go, I'm a comedian! I've got a show tonight!" So we're stuck in the lock-up and one of the cops says, "Hey if you're a comedian, why don't you do your show for us." So in front of all these cops and arrested kids I got up and did about three minutes which was probably the worst comedy I ever did, I had no act. After three minutes of silence one of the cops said, "We were going to let you go because you said you were a comedian, but now we know you're lying."
Paul: How do you think your show Tough Crowd has helped other comics?
Colin: I feel the spin on comedians over the past 15 years has been that they're these superficial "joke-a-minute" people and hasn't shown them for what they are which is funny sarcastic people who are funny offstage. I feel the show has helped people see that these comics are funny even while being spontaneous and not just while doing their act.
Danny: Nowadays, when you see new comics coming over and approaching you, do you feel that they have ulterior motives, that they're just trying to get on the show? Or have people been pretty straight up with you?
Colin: It's the nature of a comedian to think "I should be on that show, I'm funnier than most of the people there." So I understand that. I guess comics have to have that sort of ego to do stand-up. I don't begrudge anybody trying to get on the show… I'd try to do the same thing.
Paul: What do you feel has been the most triumphant moment in your career?
Colin: There are a few great moments, but since we're talking about stand-up, I would say the most triumphant moment was when I could do an hour that was funny where I was proud of the whole hour. That took a long time.
Danny: Do you see a lot of phoneyness in the industry?
Colin: I think the industry never knows what good comedians are, and only within our "circle of comedians" do we know who's good. It's very rare to find people who really understand comedy other than stand ups. It's like every other industry. So I never expect the industry to get who's funny because they don't.
Paul: What's in the future for Colin Quinn?
Colin: Based on the past - apparently aging ugliness, nothing has been able to stop the legend because he works too hard. I would expect more of the same only on a higher level, because whereas most people would be put out to pasture at the legend's age, he seems to always be writing so they can't stop him. Hopefully I will be doing something involving comedians because I do love stand up comics. We are a breed that I love. It's like any industry; I love the people because they understand what we [comedians] deal with. I have more fun when I'm around stand-ups.
Danny: What were the best and worst parts of making it?
Colin: The best part was that you automatically get credibility and money and so many other great things. I can't see any worst part. I was so focused on making it that and after I did I couldn't see any downside. I can't imagine any down side. If people are uncomfortable calling me the legend I'll also answer to "The Total Package." And Danny, I know all you want is to get on my damn stupid show.
Colin Quinn is host of Comedy Central's Tough Crowd. For more information visit: www.comedycentral.com.
