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COMEDY MATTERS ROUND-UP WITH JEFF ARCURI, RYAN HAMILTON, OZ PEARLMAN, SHERROD SMALL, RONNY CHIENG, EDDIE MURPHY’S SON, AND SO MUCH MORE!!!

Posted by Jeffrey Gurian on August 25, 2026

RYAN HAMILTON GOT HIT BY A BUS!!!

There’s an excellent chance that Ryan Hamilton may be the only person in the world to get hit by a bus and turn it into a Netflix special. It’s a tremendous accomplishment to be able to take what could have been a catastrophe and make it funny. Not only funny but turn it into a Netflix special called “This Just Hit Me”, produced and directed by another fave of mine, Nate Bargatze.

**WITH RYAN HAMILTON AT GOTHAM COMEDY CLUB**

Back in 2014 I brought Nate on Sirius XM as my guest on the Ron and Fez show with the great Ron Bennington on Sirius XM radio. Talk about taking something serious and making it funny, Ron is currently openly battling stage 4 colon cancer and doing what he calls a “Portcast” jokingly named after the port in his chest. The whole comedy world and his millions of listeners are praying for him, and if it’s true that laughter is the best medicine, he will beat this thing!!!

**WITH NATE BARGATZE UP AT SIRIUS XM RADIO TO DO THE RON AND FEZ SHOW**

I have known Ryan for a long time, and for whatever reason he has always reminded me of Jerry Seinfeld, so I think it’s absolutely perfect that he wound up opening for him. There’s something about his smile, and the way he carries himself and his delivery that reminds me and lots of other people of Seinfeld.

Btw, how do you think your own last name would sound as the title of a show? It’s been so long that “Seinfeld” sounds like a perfect name for a comedy show. But what if your last name was Schwartzvontz and you were really funny and got your own TV show! Can you picture tuning into Schwartzvontz every week??? ( Just a thought!)

Anyway, I dropped by The Cellar one night and manager Liz Furiati, who only calls me “Gurian”, led me to a place where I could watch Ryan do his set. He takes self-deprecating humor to the next level, which is something every audience loves. I always say if anyone on the street said the things to us that we say about ourselves, violence would ensue! (LOL) I went right home and watched his Netflix special that night and it’s great! Absolutely great!

Nate btw, co-wrote and starred in his first feature film called “The Breadwinner” this past May and also set a Guinness World Record for selling over two MILLION tickets on his ” Big Dumb Eyes” tour, making it the most well-attended stand-up tour in history. I have such a good eye for talent!!! (LOLOL)

JEFF ARCURI AND KATIE THURSTON AT THE 92Y

Before I even start this paragraph please go to Instagram and follow Jeff Arcuri. He only has 2.1 million followers and I feel bad for him cause he’s just so funny! Only 2.1 million followers!!!

When I had Jeff perform on one of my shows, which I believe was at an event space on the West side, I knew he was funny but had no idea how huge his career would become. I really just have a good eye for talent!!!

His stage presence is very unique, and the fact that he laughs out loud once in a while, in a signature laugh, makes what he says even more endearing. Some people, like Eddie Murphy have a signature laugh. You hear it and you immediately know who it is!

The 92Y on 92nd Street and Lexington Avenue always has a fantastic line-up of talent and I get to cover the comedy related shows. Jeff’s Netflix special is called “Jeff Arcuri: Nice To Meet You” and it’s a lot about his marriage to Katie Thurston, which just happened in March of 2025. Katie was on reality TV as one of the stars of The Bachelorette, but the special not only talks about how they met, and how grateful he is for that, but it also centers on how they manage to get through her diagnosis with stage IV breast cancer, which thank G-d is in remission.

Real “meet cute” of how they first met. Katie came across Jeff’s posts on IG and DM’ed him, telling her friends that she found her future husband. After connecting on the phone they finally met in 2024, and married the following March AFTER her diagnosis. That is a good man! Such a great story, and a great couple. It takes a true comedic artist to take a potentially dark subject and make it funny! Make sure to watch it!!! I was supposed to see them after the screening and hopefully will be able to do that soon!

**JEFF AND KATIE WATCHING JEFF ON THE BIG 92Y SCREEN**

TWO FILM SCREENINGS IN A WEEK

In an embarrassment of riches, two films I was involved in had screenings within one week. The first was called “Eat, Drink, and Laugh” about the history of the legendary comedy club The Comic Strip that opened on June 1st of 1976, and is still going strong today. It launched the careers of so many big stars including Jerry Seinfeld, Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock, Adam Sandler, Ray Romano, Colin Quinn, and I could go on and on.

The reason I know so much about it is because I wrote the book on the club, called ” Make ‘Em Laugh”, featuring a foreword by Chris Rock, and the book led to the making of the film, which I was honored to be a co-producer on. The other Exec. Producers were Abby Russell who now owns the only comedy club in Southampton called “Sticks and Stones” and her partner at the time Brent Sterling Nemetz.

**GILBERT GOTTFRIED AND I AT THE STRIP COACHING ANN CURRY ON COMEDY- THE DAY I CONCEIVED OF THE BOOK, … WITH PR WHIZ RYAN MCCORMICK AND OWNER RICHIE TIENKEN**

The screening was at the Greenport, Long Island Arts Center and it was very exciting for me to see the film again as I hadn’t seen it since Comic Strip owner and founder Richie Tienken and I brought it to Montreal to be shown at the Just for Laughs Festival, the biggest comedy festival in the world. After the screening we participated in a Q&A joined by national headliner and Comic Strip alum Sherrod Small, whose Comic Strip story will always stand out in my mind.

He and Tony Rock, another of Chris Rock’s brothers, auditioned for The Strip and passed together, by the notoriously difficult to please Lucien Hold, R.I.P., and they were so happy that they literally “cried on the corner!” I never forgot that they told me that! That’s how much it meant to be passed at The Strip!

A few days later Sherrod headlined Sticks and Stones and I opened for him. It’s a great space and it was a great show!!!

**(L-R) ABBY RUSSELL, SHERROD SMALL, JEFFREY GURIAN, INTERVIEWER FOR THE Q&A**

FILM NUMBER 2- WE MET AT GROSSINGERS

This is such an important film for our time. The success of Netflix’s “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” brought renewed interest in that time period of the 50’s when Jewish people and Black people were denied staying at many of the grand hotels of the time. They actually had the nerve to put up signs saying ” No Blacks and No Jews.”

So when Jewish people started becoming successful through very hard work, they built their own hotels that far outshone any others in existence. They were all upstate N.Y. and the area became known as The Borscht Belt because many of the immigrants were from Russia and eastern Europe where borscht ( beet soup) was a staple of the diet.

Grossingers was owned and run by Jenny Grossinger, who was the first woman to ever own a hotel. It had been started by her parents as a small boarding house, but she wound up with a hotel the size of a small city with it’s own airstrip. They would fly in the big stars.

I was there at two different times in my life, as a child from 10-13 singing solo in a professional choir that would sing there for the High Holidays, and then again as an adult as a comedy writer, writing for many of the big stars that performed there like Milton Berle, who became my sponsor in The Friars Club, Jerry Lewis, Jackie Mason, Pat Cooper, Henny Youngman, Dick Shawn, Myron Cohen, Dick Capri and so many more. The comedians of the Golden Age of comedy!

Jackie Robinson was a superstar baseball player but because he was Black he was not allowed in any of the hotels. As a matter of fact he wasn’t even allowed to fraternize with his teammates socially after the games. But Jenny Grossinger made a home for him and his family at the hotel, and as strange as it may seem in our times, when she was honored on a TV show ” This Is Your Life” Jackie came on as a guest and they hugged on national TV and it was the very first “inter-racial hug” seen on national television.

**JACKIE ROBINSON AND WIFE IN THE BACK AND JENNY GROSSINGER THE BLONDE WOMAN IN FRONT**

Sad to even have to write something like that, … but true!!! The Jewish community was always very inclusive of everyone which is why this is an important story for today’s times, so big thanks to Bobby Friedman of Bungalow Entertainment, and Harris Salomon of Atlantic Overseas Pictures for producing it and big thanks to Paula Eiselt, award winning director for directing the film, and for telling me I was one of her favorite interviews! In case I didn’t mention it I’m in several scenes!!! (LOL)

**PAULA EISELT AND BOBBY FRIEDMAN AT THE Q&A**

EDDIE MURPHY’S SON DOING COMEDY

While making my comedy rounds my intuition told me to stop by West Side Comedy Club. As I walked in I was so pleasantly surprised to see comedy staple and my old friend GIna Savage back at the club as a Manager/Producer. She’s been at Carolines, the Comedy Cellar, and now back at West Side to make some changes, and she’s producing a show of clean comedy called ” Clean Up Your Act.”

So we’re sitting together enjoying the show with Drew Michael and Eva Evans when she tells me that Eddie Murphy’s son Myles is in from LA and will be doing a spot! Now I’m past the point of getting excited when I meet people cause people say I know everyone. Well, I was excited only a few times in my life. I was excited to meet Mick Jagger, I was excited to meet Billy Idol, I was excited to meet Woody Allen and Salvador Dali, and The Beach Boys, and I was excited to meet Melanie Hamrick who’s Mick Jagger’s girlfriend for many years. And for whatever reason I was really excited to meet Myles Murphy. And after I met him my excitement was warranted!

He was not introduced to the audience as Eddie’s son, and he never mentioned it in his act. He had great stage presence and was very comfortable on stage, which surprised me when I found out he had only been performing for 11 months.

When he came off stage we sat for quite a while, and I shared many stories with him about his Dad that he told me he never knew. The only reason I knew them was because I wrote the book on the history of the legendary comedy club The Comic Strip, where Eddie started his career. He never knew that his Dad started out in a trio called “The Identical Triplets” with Rob Bartlett, and Bob Nelson, two White guys and him.

He also never knew the story of how his Dad discovered Chris Rock at The Strip, and he also never knew how Joe Piscopo gave SNL newcomer Eddie a break that would change his career. The show was running short one week and producer Jean Doumanian who produced the show for one year asked Joe if he would do five minutes of stand-up. Joe graciously gave the time to Eddie, but Eddie was nervous to do it, so he called his manager, Comic Strip owner Richie Tienken and when Richie asked him why, Eddie said, ” Because I curse.” So Richie said, ” Then don’t curse!”

Eddie did the five minutes, accidentally cursed and was bleeped but when it came time for his contract to be renewed Richie negotiated for him to go from a featured player to a cast player by reminding them that he saved the show with his five minutes, and Eddie went from making $750. a week to making $3,000. a week and Richie told me that’s when he started taking his manager’s percentage. I even told Myles a story about his grandmother, … Eddie’s mother, who is still alive today and in her 80’s.

So I Ieave the club and am driving home listening to Joe Piscopo’s Sinatra show on WABC radio when suddenly Joe starts talking about Eddie Murphy. Then he mentions he’s doing a live broadcast from Winnie’s Jazz Club on West 38th Street, so I take it as a sign that I’m supposed to go and tell the story of how he helped Eddie at SNL, … hopefully on the air. I ran home and got a sport jacket cause I was dressed for comedy and showed up at Winnie’s. It was packed. I hesitantly walked up towards the desk where Joe was broadcasting from and stood there until he saw me.

**WITH MY PAL JOE PISCOPO BACK IN THE 80’S**

Now Joe and I have been friends for more than 30 years. He looks up from his notes and says ” Jeff what are you doing here?” And I hurriedly whisper the story of Myles Murphy and why I came. Next thing I know Joe is introducing me on the radio and I get to tell the story to millions of his listeners all over the world! On my way out I got stopped by comic L.A. Hardy and we shared some fun stories about mutual friends. Crazy night!!!

JERRY SEINFELD AS AN OPENER???

Very few people can say that Jerry Seinfeld opened for them. One who honestly can is premiere mentalist Oz Pearlman, who was prepping for his first Netflix special at Gotham Comedy Club. The special will be due later this year, but Gotham is also Jerry Seinfeld’s favorite club to work out new material.

Jerry and Gotham owner Chris Mazzilli are close friends, and also major car enthusiasts, and Jerry is known to pop in every so often when he’s working on something new. The crowd goes absolutely insane as it did the night I was there. I go to see Oz any time I can as he’s an old friend and I hold the honor of arranging his very first TV appearance, about 17 years ago when he was performing as part of The Unseen, a two man mentalism act with then partner Ken Salaz.

**WITH OZ PEARLMAN AND KEN SALAZ IN FRONT OF THE NBC TRUCK BACK IN 2009**

This night in particular the host introduced a “special guest” who just happened to drop by, and Jerry came out to a standing ovation. During his set he announced that his family was there and when he was done he introduced Oz to the stage and stayed up there with him.

Oz blew Jerry’s mind when he asked him to think of a date of a special event in his life that he couldn’t possibly know, and then he wrote May 4th on a huge sketch pad that he keeps on stage to show what he predicted before the person says it out loud. When Jerry said ” May 4th” the crowd went wild. Turned out that May 4th was Jerry’s dog’s birthday and he hugged Oz on stage before he left! I’ve seen lots of mentalists but there’s no one like Oz Pearlman, the best of the best!!!

MARCUS RUSSELL PRICE BRINGS THE HEAT

You may know Marcus Russell Price as a celeb photographer and videographer in the comedy world, shooting at all big comedy-related events, but he’s also the producer of great comedy shows at Lincoln Center. His recent show featured Julie Kim and Simeon Goodson, but it also a promised a secret guest! And who that secret guest was I couldn’t wait to find out!

**MARCUS RUSSELL PRICE HOSTING HIS SHOW AT LINCOLN CENTER**

Turns out his secret guest was one of my faves and not an easy guest to get, the great Ronny Chieng! There’s something about Ronny Chieng’s delivery that really gets me. Having a unique delivery is so important in comedy, so not only is he so funny, but the way he delivers his material is just so unique, I could listen to it all night! I can hear it in my mind as I’m writing this. Can’t wait for Marcus’ next show and hopefully I’ll be on it!!!

COMEDY MATTERS GIRL OF THE MONTH

You may have seen Nagah Ezaldein weekly on Newsmax with John Tabacco, on his hit show Wiseguys, but she’s also really funny with a great sense of humor, and she dropped by the Comedy Matters crib to check out the comedy museum!!!

**NAGAH EZALDEIN IN THE COMEDY MATTERS CRIB**

Congratulations if you’ve been able to get through the whole column. There was just so much to say and I had even more, but that will have to wait till the next one! In the meantime keep laughing, as hard as it may be these days, and remember “COMEDY MATTERS”!!!

YOU CAN FOLLOW JEFFREY ON INSTAGRAM AT @JEFFREYGURIAN AND ON YOU TUBE AT HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/COMEDYMATTERSTV

SEE YOU IN THE CLUBS!!!

Tags: "Comedy Matters TV", "Oz Pearlman", "Ryan Hamilton", "stand-up comedy", Chris Rock, Eddie Murphy, Eddie Murphy's son Myles, Gotham Comedy Club, Jeff Arcuri, Jeffrey Gurian, John Tabacco, Mentalism, Nagah Ezaldein, Neflix special, Netflix, Newsmax TV, Page Six, Ronny Chieng, Seinfeld, Sherrod Small, The Comic Strip

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COMEDY MATTERS ROUND-UP WITH BILL BURR, PATRICE O’NEAL BENEFIT, KEVIN HART ROAST, DREW LYNCH, COMEDY WITH MAURY, BK IMPROV, AND SO MUCH MORE!!!

Posted by Jeffrey Gurian on May 19, 2026

13TH ANNUAL PATRICE O’NEAL BENEFIT

Every year since Patrice left us in 2011, comedy exec. Maureen Taran and Bill Burr have worked tirelessly ( especially Maureen! LOL) to keep the love for Patrice alive. And I know for sure it exists because I had the honor of being Patrice’s co-host on the Black Phillip Show on XM radio back in 2008 and I STILL get notes from guys thanking me for the information we put out!

I’ll never forget the phone call from Patrice at 4: 05 in the morning the first night we did the show together. It was me, Patrice and Dante Nero, Patrice’s first co-host. This phone call was also one of my greatest honors coming from Patrice when he told me he wanted us to do our own show!

At this 13th benefit Rich Vos was the perennial host, and as always brought it home with solid jokes. He was a big hit! First comic up was my buddy Matt Richards who I was so happy to see up there. Everyone killed by the way. Followed by Jordan Jensen who said she wears makeup so men can see she has features.

Then one of my personal faves, who I first met up in Montreal at JFL, and was so impressed that I featured him in a pilot I shot at Gotham Comedy Club called “The Raw Side of Comedy.”, the great Drew Dunn! Drew was trying to picture Gen Z if there was ever a civil war. They wouldn’t show up! “They don’t even wannna go to work!“

Next up was Modi who’s absolutely killing it these days, and was the only comic to mention Patrice. He also said he tore up a magazine that referred to him as an up and coming comedian. He also said he wasn’t gay but his gay husband is! #hilarious

The crowd went wild when Tim Dillon came out. He got HUGE applause and deservedly so. Needless to say but I’ll say it anway, he totally killed. Later at the afterparty he held court outside The Stand and we got a chance to catch up cause I hadn’t seen him in quite a while.

**CATCHING UP WITH TIM DILLON OUTSIDE THE STAND**

Zarna Garg was next who admitted that she and her husband do math for fun! Followed by Adam Ray who was the next to kill and did not come out as Dr. Phil. Funny because Patrice considered himself the Black Dr. Phil. Then a guest spot from Dave Attell drew tons of applause and you can always count on Dave to say something like, ” it happened years before dogs wore clothes!” He also announced that he was the new Supreme Leader of Iran!

And then of course Bill Burr closed as strong as ever, and in talking about his family disclosed that his father was a dentist. I can’t believe he never told me that!!! No wonder they didn’t get along! (LOL) I couldn’t wait to see him at the after party at The Stand where it’s held every year. Comics came who weren’t able to attend the show. And I went to see Bill who always sits in the back protected by a man you would want to protect YOU, Ken Feder, AKA Club Soda Kenny!!! He greeted me by saying, ” Now I know its a party if Jeffrey Gurian is here! That makes it official!” LOL

I brought a picture of me and Bill on my phone from 21 years ago, and Bill liked it so much he put it on HIS phone! So great!!! And he was there with his beautiful wife Nia.

**BILL BURR WITH OUR OLD PHOTO ON HIS PHONE**

BROOKLYN IMPROV IS AMAZING!!!

I don’t get to Brooklyn much cause I have no beard, but when I got a call from Alireza Ghaemian, the CEO of Levity Live in LA that handles so many major comedy stars, inviting me to come see their new club I threw caution to the wind and decided to make the trip! And I’m so glad I did!

Levity Live now owns this club and 25 in all across the country! Great move, and major congrats to Alireza and Judi Marmel the co-founder and President of Levity Live!!!

He connected me to Levity Exec. Italia Carmona and Jayk Burczyk the Director of Operations who made me feel very at home, and made sure that everything went perfectly, and coincidentally the night I went they were doing Subway Takes LIve with Kareem Rahma, so I was psyched to attend. My own Subway Takes has almost 900,000 views. Check it out on my Instagram, ((@jeffreygurian ) and Gilbert Gottfried’s daughter Lily is in it!!!

I even met Summer, in charge of marketing, whose ripped jeans are exactly the thing I talk about on stage , because the truth is that ripped jeans are basically just torn pants, and if you went into a store and saw a sign that said ” Sale Torn Pants”, there’s a good chance you’d pass it up. But if you rip your pants on purpose now it’s time to hit the clubs! I saw a girl last week just wearing pockets! LOL So when I met Summer she was kind enough to let me take pictures of her legs!!! (LOL)

Well I wasn’t prepared for such a beautiful club. It’s huge with different sections, like a separate bar area where you can just hang out, but the show room is like a casino room in Las Vegas. Really beautiful and in a couple of days from when you read this column I will be back for the Grand Opening party! I NEVER miss a party with or without a beard!!!

Kareem assembled a panel of comedians to judge the “takes” of members of the audience which I thought was an interesting spin on the concept. Included on the team was ex-SNL member Ego Nwodim, and comic Jay Jurden who opened the show!

**WITH KAREEM RAHMA AT SUBWAY TAKES LIVE AT THE BK IMPROV**

KEVIN HART ROAST

Having been the main writer for the famed Friars Roasts for 12 years I know a bit about roasting. Kev set the tone with his opening remarks heavy on the “N” word. it just gets tricky when you have too many people performing who are NOT comedians, but are just doing lines written for them by comedy writers. All the comics did great!

**WITH KEVIN WHO STARRED IN MY BENEFIT FOR HAITI**

There’s a distinct difference between just being loud and being funny. Having Tom Brady come out in the beginning was a great move and Tom was very funny, referring to Kevin as a hobbit. What else can they say about a man as successful as Kevin except to make fun of his size.

Shane Gillis was a great host, and did it in a very humble and respectful way, as if he respected the honor he was given to host this celeb packed event. Shane said that all of Kevin’s ancestors came to America in a slave ship in a bottle, and that in Saudi Arabia at the Riyadh Fest they gave him a sword and a shield and he had to fight a scorpion, two great visuals!

Pete Davidson had all his tats removed and looked very neat and corporate. He told Jeff Ross that he looked like the inside of a clam. Hilarious visual. And then he added , ” Like my Dad if he had somehow survived 9/11.” I feel a great affinity for Pete, knowing him since he was a teen and started out performing at The Comic Strip when I was hosting late night with Jordan Rock. Pete would come in with Jordan and work on his material and he was always so kind and respectful. He’s been through so much and I always hope he’s ok.

Almost all the comedians directed gay jokes at Tony Hinchcliffe who has never come out as gay as far as I know, but sometimes where there’s smoke there’s fire, as they say! I’m always grateful to Tony for secretly telling me not to do his show at Skankfest one year. Someone had signed me up but I was not familiar with the format of the show, and Tony came over and said he didn’t think I would like it, and that I shouldn’t do it. After I saw it I was grateful for the advice! (LOL)

**WITH JEFFREY ROSS BACKSTAGE ON BROADWAY**

It was no surprise that Jeffrey Ross, the Roastmaster General would kill. He said about Kevin that he put ” the elf in Philadelphia”! So clever!!!

Great to see Big Jay Oakerson on the dais with the streak of red hair in the front and red nail polish on his middle finger on both hands while the rest of his fingers sported black polish. He told a story about how he and Kev both had the same mentor Keith Robinson, as if Keith was dead, but they flashed to Keith who was in the audience hysterical laughing!

Basketball player Draymond Green took a lot of hits especially when Naim Lynn one of Kevin’s “Plastic Cup Boys”, who I met many years ago when I produced Kevin in a benefit for Haiti, said that Draymond Green “sounds like an ugly paint color. I think I’ll paint my bathroon Draymond Green! ” Draymond almost fell off his seat laughing so hard!

I have to say that Lizzo shocked me. First that she was not in a thong, but that she looked absolutely beautiful and elegant in the dress she wore covered with feathers. Not being a comedian she laughed her way through her set. Other non-comedians who appeared were Regina Hall, and Teyana Taylor who were there I guess as eye candy and because they’re so popular.

And then there were the great surprise guests like Chris Rock who totally roasted Kev, Katt Williams, dressed like a pimp, who previously had beef with Kev, and Kev seemed genuinely shocked that Katt was there, and they made up live on set! And then at the end The Rock, Kev’s co-star in so many films, came out to first make fun of Kev and then to honor him, and people went crazy. Absolutely crazy, and Kev took some potshots at The Rock as well!!! A fun three hours!!!

Also lots of fun peeps in the audience, like Hasan Minhaj, George Wallace, Bert Kreischer and John Stamos!

COMEDY WITH MAURY

When you hear the name Maury you know there’s only one and it’s Maury Povich. So director Ari Rubin is having a conversation with comedy videographer/director The Homeless Pimp ( Mike Lavin), who has directed more than 30 comedy specials, and he says, ” I need someone to play a talent agent in this social media sketch with Maury Povich, someone like Jeffrey Gurian.” And Pimp says, ” Well why don’t I just text Jeffrey Gurian?” which he did and that’s how I wound up on this fun project brought to you by AIR, a company helmed by Tyler Strand, which is described as “a platform that revolutionizes creative operations.”

**HOMELESS PIMP WITH COMEDIAN DAN CARNEY WHO IS ALSO ONE OF THE PRODUCERS OF THE MAURY PROJECT**

**ARI RUBIN MAKING SURE EVERYTHING IS GOING ACCORDING TO PLAN**

More than that I couldn’t tell you but it was a really fun project and I played a talent agent under my own name who interrupts a Maury Povich shoot to offer a singer a recording contract! It’s actually a lot more complicated than that, but that was the bottom line. It was such a fun shoot and then there was the screening party at the AIR offices downtown that brought out hundreds of people including Maury.

I like bringing people photos of us from decades before as I did with Bill Burr in the opening story, so I did the same thing with Maury. I had done Maury’s TV show 20 years ago which he said was more like 30 years ago, and we had a good laugh about it!

DREW LYNCH THE NON-STUTTERING COMEDIAN

SAY is a wonderful organization that stands for Stuttering Association for the Young. It’s headed up by Taro Alexander an actor I met years ago at Naked Angels theater troupe. I went to support because I stuttered badly for many years, from about the age of 6 or 7 through my 20’s and beyond. It took me many years of hard work to cure myself. And as an avocation I work with stutterers all over the world to teach them how NOT to stutter. My criterion is that if you can speak better when you are alone, then my cognitive techniques can help you.

Paul Rudd is often the face of SAY, not because he stuttered but because he played a stutterer in a play, and relates to the difficulty people face who stutter.

**WITH PAUL RUDD AT AN EVENT AT CHELSEA MUSIC HALL**

I was anxious to meet Drew Lynch who is often called “The Stuttering Comedian.” I got to speak with Drew, and shoot a video which I will be posting, who was a really nice guy, and I was surprised to learn that Drew didn’t start stuttering until he was 20 as the result of a brain injury. He was hit in the throat with a baseball, fell and hit his head and got a concussion, which caused him to stutter.

His speech sounds great and I was amazed to see that he used many of the same principles I teach to get better. I was not aware that you could accomplish that with a brain injury but Drew is proof that you can. He was being honored and was there with his family and his producer Lydia Rasmussen, who took photos of us together and promised to send them to me. Lydia if you read this please send them!!! (LOL)

**WITH DREW LYNCH AND YES THAT IS OUR MUTUAL FRIEND JOE GATTO FROM IMPRACTICAL JOKERS** **WHO ALSO ATTENDED THE EVENT**

SHOUT OUT TO FUNNY AF FINALISTS

Major congrats to two NYC homies Reg Thomas and Usama Siddiquee for making it to the Final Four of Kevin Hart’s Funny AF competition. I’ve known them both for a long time, performed on shows with them. and watched them come up in the NY comedy scene and I can attest to the fact that they are both FUNNY AF!!!

And I think that’s more than enough for this issue of Comedy Matters!!! If it goes any longer I’ll have to look for a publisher cause it will be a book! You can follow Jeffrey on IG at @jeffreygurian and on TikTok at @jeffreylgurian.

SEE YOU IN THE CLUBS!!!

Tags: "Comedy Matters TV", "Maury Povich", "Tom Brady", Bill Burr, Celebrity Roast, Dave Attell, Drew Lynch, Duane johnson, Funny AF, Jeffrey Gurian, Kareem, Kareem Rahma, Katt Williams, Keep The Meter Running, Kevin Hart, Kevin Hart Roast, Patrice Oneal, people who stutter, Reg Thomas, Stuttering, Subway Takes, The Rock, Usama Siddiquee, Webbu Awards

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COMEDY MATTERS ROUND-UP WITH GARY VEE, COMEDY AT THE GRAMMYS, COMEDY IN A.C., TRIBUTE TO ERNIE ANASTOS, BROADWAY COMEDY AND MUCH MORE!!!

Posted by Jeffrey Gurian on April 6, 2026

GARY VEE LOVES COMEDY

Growing up there were only three people I ever wanted to meet, Woody Allen, Salvador Dali and The Beach Boys. I got to meet all of them in very meaningful ways. Woody sat with me and read all of my earliest comedy material and encouraged me to make films of my ideas which I eventually did. Each meeting is a story unto itself, but in recent years I added Gary Vaynerchuk, known as Gary Vee to that short list.

SHARING A LAUGH WITH GARY VEE AT VAYNER MEDIA

You probably already know who he is, as he has a massive following. Born in Belarus, he’s an entrepreneur owning Vayner Media, a huge digital marketing agency, a field in which he’s considered a pioneer. He’s a best selling author with 6 N.Y. TImes best sellers, he’s an early angel investor in little known tech companies like Twitter, Uber, Snapchat, Facebook, Venmo, Tumblr and Coinbase, and he’s just a very unique human being , with over 45 million social media followers, who I had the feeling I needed to know.

He’s also a comedy lover and admits to being influenced by Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy and Chris Rock. He curses a lot when he speaks but it’s endearing and genuine. From the heart!

He and his Dad Sasha own The Wine Library, a wine store in New Jersey where I first tried to meet him two years ago. Gary, using his marketing skills, took that business from $3 million to $65 million. I wound up meeting his Dad that day, but the line to meet Gary was too long and I left determined to meet him another way.

On May 9, 2025 I got a notice that he was appearing at Dave and Adam’s card shop on Broadway with his line of trading cards for another company of his, Vee Friends. I was determined to attend. I watched him greeting strangers as if they were family of his. I was amazed at his open heart and generosity of spirit.

WITH GARY VEE THE FIRST TIME WE MET ON FRIDAY MAY 9TH, 2025

When it was my turn to meet him I don’t recall everything I said but the next thing I knew we were hugging and I felt the connection. A kindred spirit. I remember telling him I never met anyone like him. He took my phone and sent himself a message and told me he would call me after the weekend. He said it a couple of times. This was on a Friday. I left on a high.

Monday came and there was no call. I didn’t understand it. I was very surprised and disappointed. Nine months later, on Feb. 18th, 2026 there was another live appearance at Dave and Adam’s this time for his stickers. I decided I would go again, but I wasn’t sure what to say. I was prepared to re-introduce myself.

The place was mobbed and he was greeting people again so warmly on the red carpet and when he saw me he ran over and embraced me and said ” I’m so happy you’re here. I was thinking about you this morning hoping you would come!” I couldn’t believe it. He remembered everything we said 9 months before. He said he was very sorry he didn’t call me. This is a man who probably gets hundreds if not thousands of messages a day.

This time he called over one of his employees, a great guy named Train, and asked him to take my infomation so he could set up a private meeting with me at his office. That meeting happened this past week. I won’t divulge what came out of that meeting because it’s premature, but there’s a very good chance something very cool will be happening soon.

THE VIDEO WE SHOT BEFORE I LEFT GARY’S OFFICE

TRIBUTE TO ERNIE ANASTOS

Ernie Anastos was a legend in the world of news. I considered him a dear friend. Our friendship went back more than 25 years when we met at The Friars, and I first wrote him a speech to deliver at The White House of all places. It went very well and we became real friends.

ERNIE AND I BACK IN 2004

He wasn’t a comedian but he was the King of Positivity, which was something we bonded over. The topics I talk about and write about are Happiness, mindset, overcoming obstacles and changing negative thinking to positive thinking. Ernie had a show on WABC radio called Positively Ernie which I was on a couple of times, and we really enjoyed each other. His loss was a loss to the world and to all who knew him. He was a very special and genuine guy, with such a youthful spirit, and got real joy from spreading a positive message. R.I.P Ernie!

COMEDIANS AT THE GRAMMYS

Lots of POC’s ( People of Comedy) showed up at the Grammys. First, it was ably hosted by Trevor Noah, who did a lot of fun crowd work with the stars. Other appearances were Kumail Nanjiani who presented an award, Billy Crystal who did a tribute to his dear friend Rob Reiner, Marcello Hernandez who came out with Karol G and did a fun thing in Spanish saying he couldn’t help it, and then a group of funny women with Melissa McCarthy, Rose Byrne, Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph and Ellie Kemper presented the award for Best Original Score and Best Sound, an award that everyone was waiting for with baited breath, whatever that is!!! ( Btw, Marcello’s imitation of Sebastian Maniscalco is so on point, it actually makes me laugh out loud, which is not easy to do! LOL)

BILLY DOING HSISTRIBUTE TO ROB AND MICHELLE REINER

BILLY CRYSTAL AND I OUT IN LA POINTING TO HIS TEETH BECAUSE HIS MANAGER, THE LEGENDARY JACK ROLLINS WANTED HIM TO PLAY ME IN A SIT-COM ABOUT A DENTIST IN SHOW BIZ!

GRAMMY HOST TREVOR NOAH

MARCELLO HERNANDEZ AND KAROL G

MELISSA McCARTHY, ROSE BYRNE, KRISTEN WIIG, MAYA RUDOLPH, AND ELLIE KEMPER

FUN GOINGS ON AT BROADWAY COMEDY CLUB

I wound up at three different cool events at Broadway Comedy Club which looks amazing these days. Unfortunately they had to wait till owner Al Martin left the stage to do any remodeling but it looks fantastic.

Atsushi Ogata did a fun show called World Comedy with comics from other countries. If you guessed that he was repping Japan you would be right. I met him recently when he stopped me at a comedy show and told me he saw me performing in Japan. I couldn’t believe it. Someone to actually verify that I performed in Japan! (LOL) That was back in 2019 and it was an amazing experience. They don’t have comedy clubs there like we do, they have tap rooms that offer comedy.

Thash Mose who I had met during the last NYCF, and who has one of the most interesting names I ever saw, was repping Denmark and was blonde enough to be believable! Audrey Mora repped Mexico, and Ellen Feeney repped the USA! And from Norway was one of my personal faves Daniel Simonsen who I try and get on every show I produce.

ATSUSHI OGATA ON STAGE

DANIEL SIMONSEN ON STAGE

Then Cristina Cote did her legendary Hersterical show with Corinne Fisher and Harrison Greenbaum, two of my favorite peeps in the whole, entire world who got together and made a get well video for me with about 50 other comics when I was in the hospital with Covid Double Pneumonia. Cristina does as many costume changes during her show as the hosts do at The Oscars. She’s amazing!!!

CRISTINA AS HERSELF

CRISTINA AS SVETTY

CRISTINA AS AN OLD WOMAN

WITH MY GIRLS CORINNE FISHER AND CRISTINA COTE

HARRISON GREENBAUM ON STAGE

And up and comer Mika Lorenzo is killing it with producing and performing. I’ve watched him progress from the beginning to being a polished performer. He needed a venue and I suggested Broadway for his type of show and it worked out great! Sold out crowd and included Todd Barry and Daniel Simonsen!!! Trust me, I think you’ll be seeing a lot of Mika in the coming weeks and months. Mika making moves!!! (Alliteration, … get it???)

WITH MIKA LORENZO AT BROADWAY COMEDY CLUB

JACKIE MASON DOC

Last month I reported on the Mel Brooks doc. This month Jackie Mason’s daughter is hard at work shooting a doc about her Dad, Jackie Mason, the man who never openly acknowledged that she was his daughter. I was part of Jackie’s entourage for many years and actually wrote a movie script for him, so I was glad to share some stories for the doc.

Sheba and Ian Wehrle who plays Jackie in their Jackie Mason Musical came to the Comedy Matters crib to shoot the interview. We shot for a few hours and it was great. At the end we were joined by comic/producer Laura Slutsky who had a few Jackie stories of her own. They were also interviewing some big name comics out in LA and as I recall Colin Quinn will also be in it. Can’t wait to see the finished product!

WITH SHEBA MASON IN THE COMEDY MUSEUM- COMEDY PHOTOS GOING BACK DECADES

ATLANTIC CITY COMEDY CLUB THANKS TO EMILIO SAVONE

I first met NYCC owner Emilio back around 2008 when I started working on the book ” Make ‘Em Laugh” about the history of The Comic Strip which opened on June 1, 1976 and launched the careers of some comics you may have heard of, … Eddie Murphy, Colin Quinn, Jerry Seinfeld and Chris Rock. Chris wrote the intro to the book besides being interviewed for a chapter.

At the time Emilio was selling tickets through his company Empire Tickets, and now all these years later he took that background, and created his own empire, currenly owning five comedy clubs, one of them being in Atlantic City at The Tropicana Hotel. It’s run by comic/producer Rus Gutin, or Papa Rus as he’s affectionately known, who at one time ran the Comedy Juice shows at Gotham Comedy Club. He’s a great guy and brings energy to the stage almost on the level of Sebastian Maniscalco! ( 2nd Sebastian reference!!!)

I hadn’t been to AC in many years, but I was so glad I went. Rus has an amazing team of people working with him to make sure that each show comes off perfectly. Jeff FN Murray (DM me to find out what the FN stands for!!! ), and Lenny Schafer both made sure that every single detail was taken care of.

Jeff not only manages the club but also runs the main restaurant Wild Honey ( a Beach Boy reference!) and he immediately took me under his wing and made sure I was taken care of. The show was great, the room was great and the audience was great and I can’t wait to go back. Besides Rus who hosted I was on with old friend Phill Hunt and Noah Miller.

They already invited me back in the Spring so I could go out on the boardwalk. This time it was too cold. I couldn’t gamble either cause I couldn’t figure out the machines, which also happened when I went to Aruba, and which you’ll read about below!

WITH PAPA RUS GUTIN

PAPA RUS KILLING IT ON STAGE

WITH JEFF FN MURRAY

JEFFREY G ON STAGE

PHILL HUNT AND NOAH MILLER

RAY ELLIN OWNS ARUBA

Around 14 years ago Ray Ellin had an interesting idea. He was vacationing in Aruba and thought it would be a good place for a comedy club. A year later he made it happen and it’s been thriving ever since. Every place you go in Aruba they know Aruba Ray. The club moved locations a couple of times but these days it’s held in a great space as part of the Eagle Aruba Resort, a truly beautiful resort in Eagle Beach.

I got to check one more thing off my bucket list when Ray invited me down to perform for the week. The week was perfect except for my experience at JFK during the time the TSA workers weren’t being paid. I could do a whole column on just that, but suffice it to say that despite thanking every TSA employee I could find, … and there weren’t many, … they patted me down like I was Osama Bin Laden! Even with TSA pre-check!!!

But my room was awesome, and I got to do shows all week with old friends Tom Cotter, his wife Kerri Louise, and Ross Bennett all of whom I’m friends with for many, many years. Tom and Kerri had two of their three sons with them and their son Harry was amazing and turned out to be such a big help with filming and taking photos. What a great guy!!!

Ray is always so busy but he took a few hours out of his busy day to drive around the island with me, showing me the sights and telling me the stories that led up to the club being the great success it is now. Plus 85 degrees every day, but very windy. which was bad for my hair! (LOL) The crowds were great. Packed room every night. Hope I get to go back.

ON STAGE

LOOK HOW WINDY IT IS!!!

WITH THE MAN, ARUBA RAY ELLIN

ALL OVER THE ISLAND YOU SEE SIGNS FOR ARUBA RAY

(L-R) HARRY COTTER, ( YES THAT’S HIS NAME!!!) TOM COTTER, KERRI LOUISE, RAY ELLIN, YOURS TRULY, ROSS BENNETT, GWEN BENNETT

CHARITY EVENT AT GOTHAM

Chris Mazzilli owner of Gotham should be very proud of how many charity events they do at the club, because he supports so many good causes, and they all run smoothly thanks to Events Manager Kris Alexander. Every detail is taken care of. So when Brett Hess of Rippling contacted me to do a charity event for Access- Supports for Living, a huge charity that for the last 50 years has been helping people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as mental health and addiction issues, … which sounds like a charity for comedians, … I knew exactly where to go!

The event was a HUGE success and came off without a hitch. Great food and drinks, a beautifully set up room, and I have to say I chose a great line-up with Gina Brillon, Bonnie McFarlane, and Derek Gaines to close, cause it’s really hard to follow Derek Gaines! (LOL) I

I was the host, and the people from Rippling, Lockton and Disrupt HR, which at first when I heard the name Disrupt, I was afraid they were an arm of Antifa, (LOL) but they all turned out to be very nice people, and they all felt this would be the first of many comedy shows to raise money for good causes. Laughter carries a great message, and is a very effective way to bring attention to a problem!

HOSTING THE SHOW

WITH THE ALWAYS HILARIOUS BONNIE MCFARLANE

DEREK GAINES KILLING IT ON STAGE

PRAYERS FOR RON BENNINGTON

I hated writing this heading but I couldn’t figure out what else to write. This past week Ron, the long-running host of The Bennington Show, with his daughter Gail, the biggest comedy show on Sirius XM radio, announced that he was diagnosed with colon cancer that spread to other areas.

In a perfect world, people like Ron who bring so much joy to others are not supposed to be seriously ill. The first thing I saw was an Instagram post that showed Ron smiling from a hospital bed with Gail by his side. A day or two later he announced his diagnosis.

When I was in the hospital with my heart attack, back in 2015, I had been with Ron and Deb from The Interrobang, and Chris Stanley the night before partying at Sammy’s Roumanian, where the specialty is bowls of cholesterol, and Ron posted about my illness and asked his listeners for prayers for me. He did the same thing when I was in the hospital with Covid Double Pneumonia back in 2020.

I don’t have his reach, but now it’s my turn to return the kindness. Ron is such a good man and I truly believe in the power of prayer, so please keep him in your thoughts because I believe he can beat this. He’s a tough guy with a good heart, and we need him.

WITH RON WHEN FEZ MARIE WAS STILL WITH US

WITH RON WHEN HE HONORED ME BY BEING MY GUEST ON MY COMEDY MATTERS TV PODCAST, 4 DAYS BEFORE I CAME DOWN WITH COVID DOUBLE PNEUMONIA!!!

FOLLOW JEFFREY ON INSTAGRAM AT @JEFFREYGURIAN AND ON TIKTOK AT @JEFFREYLGURIAN. CONSIDER JOINING HIS PATREON- LINK ON WEBSITE HTTPS://WWW.COMEDYMATTERSTV.COM OR ALSO ON SUBSTACK. SEE YOU IN THE CLUBS!!!

Tags: "America's Got Talent", "Corinne Fisher", "Jackie Mason", "Ron Bennington", AGT, Billy Crystal, Ernie Anastos, Gary Vaynerchuk, Gary Vee, Harrison Greenbaum, Jeffrey Gurian, Kumail Nanjiani, Marcello Hernandez, POdcast with Friends, Rob Reiner, The Gary Vee Audio Experience, The Grammys, Tom Cotter, Trevor Noah, Vayner Media, Vee Friends

Posted in: Celeb Photos, Celebrity Death, Celebrity Passing, Charity Events, Comedians In The News, Comedy, Comedy Clubs, Comedy Events, Comedy Festivals, Comedy Matters, Comedy Thoughts, Comedy Videos, Entertainment News, Jeffrey Gurian News, Podcasts, Red Carpet Events, Social Media, Stand-Up Comedy

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COMEDY MATTERS ROUND-UP WITH NIKKI GLASER AT THE GLOBES, MEL BROOKS DOC, KILL TONY ON NETFLIX, BORSCHT BELT FEST, JACKIE MASON SHOW, COMEDY PARTIES AT NY COMEDY CLUB AND GOTHAM COMEDY CLUB, AND OF COURSE LOTS MORE!!!

Posted by Jeffrey Gurian on January 26, 2026

(L-R) FROM THE ARCHIVES – WITH NIKKI GLASER, RACHEL FEINSTEIN, SOME GUY, AMY SCHUMER, AND MARINA FRANKLIN – THE POWER WOMEN OF COMEDY

NIKKI GLASER KILLS AT AT THE GLOBES … AGAIN!!!

It came as no surprise that Nikki Glaser absolutely crushed at the 83rd annual Golden Globes where she was the host for the 2nd year in a row. I have a feeling she will be the ongoing host from now on! She’s so funny, so well poised, so elegant in all of her 9 changes of outfits, and really commands the room which is not easy to do when you’re facing the biggest stars in the game. But Nikki did it! She made her entrance in a gorgeous red gown fit for a Princess! ( Click the link)

Her lines were so sharp. In particular when she came out said ” There are so many A-listers here, and by A-listers I mean people who are on “A list” that has been heavily redacted!

Then she announced the award for MOST editing goes to CBS News, America’s newest place to “C-BS News!” Such a clever line I wish I had written it myself!

And lastly when she saw Sean Penn who looked kind of wild, with his hair a total mess she said, ” I love you Sean. You’re such an original. Everyone in this town is so obsessed with looking younger, meanwhile Sean is like, ” What if I slowly morph into a sexy leather handbag! Even HE had to laugh!!!

Lots of comics appeared on the show and won awards like Amy Poehler, who won for Best Podcast, for ” Good Hang With Amy Poehler”, while Joe Rogan whose podcast is #1 on Spotify wasn’t even nominated.

AMY POEHLER ON THE RED CARPET FOR ET NETWORK

Kevin Hart was on the red carpet and Judd Apatow presented the award for Best Diirector and joked that he was on a “10-year quiet boycott” after his film Trainwreck lost the Best Comedy award in 2016.

KEVIN HART AT THE GLOBES

JUDD APATOW PRESENTING FOR BEST DIRECTOR

Pamela Anderson and Miley Cyrus presented the award for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy Motion Picture, and I really didn’trecognize Pam Anderson. She looked so different than when I first met her.

THE JACKIE MASON MUSICAL AT RODNEY’S

The Jackie Mason Musical”, is sometimes also known as Both Sides of a Famous Love Affair: The Jackie Mason Musical. It’s an off-Broadway production starring Sheba Mason, the real-life daughter of comedian Jackie Mason. but playing her mother GInger Reiter, who created the concept ,and wrote the dialogue, music and lyrics for the play. An incredible achievement! Jackie Mason is played by Ian Wehrle who is so much like Jackie Mason , he’s absolutely perfect for the role. I had seen it a couple of times but I went to see it again at Rodney’s because it’s so good!

Unfortunately the play is based on a true story, and you’ll see why I say that in a moment. It’s the story of how Jackie was involved with GInger Reiter in a ten year-long affair and had this wonderful daughter but never acknowledged her as his daughter throughout his entire life, despite the fact of a nasty paternity suit, and that she looks exactly like him. A fact she often jokes about!

Sheba’s a great girl and so funny. It’s definitely Jackie’s loss not to have acknowledged her. She and I once did a comedy show at a funeral, which is a crazy story for another time, and I’ve done her show at 3 Monkeys several times.

WITH SHEBA MASON AT HER SHOW AT 3 MONKEYS

Ginger wrote a masterful piece that truly portrays what Jackie was like and I can vouch for that because I was part of his “entourage” for many years. I knew Jackie well for more than 25 years. Jackie was one of the funniest men that ever lived but a very complicated and often stubborn, and very difficult man to get along with, and that’s putting it mildly. What kind of man doesn’t acknowledge his own daughter? Mister, you know what I’m talkin’ about???

I remember how excited my Mom was when I brought her to meet Jackie backstage after one of his 8 one-man shows on Broadway.

JACKIE MASON WITH MY MOM, MARJORIE GURIAN BACK IN 2005

I actually wrote a movie for Jackie which he bought, called “The Detective” in which he played a Jewish ( what else?) bumbling private eye named Harry Snavish, on the syle of Inspector Clouseau, who accidentally becomes a hero, by saving the world from a dreaded “pants virus” that would have destroyed every pair of pants in the country leaving us a nation of men in our underwear. Terororists knew they couldn’t beat us militarily so they wanted to humiliate us in the eyes of the world and Snavish manages to save the day.

THROWING JEWISH GANG SIGNS WITH JACKIE MASON

JACKIE MASON AND I GOING OVER MY SCRIPT

The musical has a really fun talented cast including producer Laura Slutsky and even Mark Yosef the owner of Rodney’s Comedy Club who was up on stage acting and singing his little heart out!

THE CAST OF JACKIE MASON MUSICAL

MARK YOSEF ON STAGE

THE WHOLE CAST WITH LAURA SLUTSKY IN THE PINK TOP

COMEDY COMMUNITY COMES OUT FOR THE PARTIES

Comedy can often feel very lonely because it’s mostly a solo event. You write alone, rehearse alone and you’re usually on stage alone. So it’s a wonderful feeling when the comedy community actually gets together like they do for the holiday parties. Emilio Savone, owner and face of all five New York Comedy Clubs told me that I had the distinct honor of being the ONLY person he texted about the party to make sure I showed up, because as he always kindly says, ” It’s not a party unless you’re there”! (LOL)

It was at the 4th street location and I got there early to get the pizza while it was still fresh. It was already crowded with lots of my favorite people. It was so great to see my pals Joe DeRosa and Brian Quinn from The Impractical Jokers. I almost didn’t recognize Brian because the last time I saw him he didn’t have that huge beard. Joe and I are planning to do another video since the success of Mouth On My Money, and as sick as it sounds, I have been named the official dancer for Joe’s band Salsa Windfall! Besides trying to see him at parties, you can also see Joe featured in the new Kill Tony special on Netflix!

GOTHAM HOLIDAY PARTY

Chris Mazzilli always plans his annual holiday party AFTER New Years which makes it even more special. It’s another amazing event, so well attended with an open bar, and an assortment of hot and cold food, lots of sliders, and platters of sushi. One of the first people I saw was Brian Fischler who has a new seeing-eye dog named Wesley, and when I told him I’m producing a big charity event there on Tuesday 2/24/26 he told me he’s done 18 events at Gotham for his charity “Fight for Sight.”

The party not only drew comedians but also industry as Chris is connected to everyone on both sides of the camera, in particular Conan Smith from the Buchwald Agency, one of the good ones!!! (LOL)

And so glad I got to see Bonnie McFarlane who besides being Rich Vos’s wife is one of the funniest comics in the game and was also one of the writers on The Golden Globes. It was so exciting to see her name in the credits. A well deserved honor! And reuniting with Chris Roach was also cool. I made him sit down for the photo so you’d be able to see both of us, and we were photobombed by Harrison Greenbaum. I never saw Harrison and it was probably one of his amazing magic tricks that he suddenly appeared out of nowhere!

WITH THE AMAZING BONNIE MCFARLANE

WITH CHRIS ROACH AND THE MAGICAL HARRISON GREENBAUM

Also got to reunite with Robin Montague who writes for the daytime Emmy award winning Sherri show starring the great Sherri Shepherd, and Subhah Agarwal who many years ago started on my late night show at The Comic Strip and just moved back to NY from Cali. I saw Subhah again a few nights later when I was performing at the new comedy room Room 52 started by Adam Strauss. A really cool space on East 52nd Street.

WITH ROBIN MONTAGUE WRITER FOR SHERRI

WITH SHERRI SHEPHERD HOLDING ONE OF MY BOOKS

WITH SUBHAH AGARWAL

KOSHER COMEDY ON AND AT BROADWAY

Thanks to Kenny Gluck Jewish comics have something to do on Chistmas Eve and I was so glad to get to do a set at the new and upgraded Broadway Comedy Club on the eve of December 24th. Since it’s founder the great Al Martin left the stage, they really updated the club and made it look much more modern. A really fun show with a great, … I would guess mostly Hebraic crowd!

WITH KENNY GLUCK

ONSTAGE IN THE NEW ROOM

BORSCHT BELT FESTIVAL CONTINUES TO GROW

Alejandro Morales is the comic/producer responsible for keeping the Borscht Belt Festival growing bigger and bigger as time goes on. This past July we celebrated it’s 2nd year with a whole bunch of shows and a special event honoring Robert Klein at the Borscht Belt Museum. So I was very glad when I got the call asking me to be the first headliner of the new year series. I did 45 minutes to a packed crowd at Shadowlands Stages.

WITH MILTON BERLE IN LA CIRCA 1985

WITH JERRY LEWIS AT HIS ROAST CIRCA 1986

I may be the only one around who actually worked with the Borscht Belt stars of yesteryear as well as the stars of today. Milton Berle, AKA Mr. Television was my sponsor in The Friars Club, and I got to write for him, Jerry Lewis, Jackie Mason, Pat Cooper, Joan Rivers, Dick Capri, Morty Gunty, Dick Shawn, Freddie Roman, and so many others who graced the stages of the Borscht Belt, whether it was at Grossingers, The Concord, The Nevele, The Fallsview or any of the other multitude of hotels and bungalow colonies that were up in The Catskills.

One of the weirdest and most fun experiences I ever had was this past weekend, being put into the Honors Haven Resort as literally the only guest on the premises. This huge resort which was once the Fallsview Hotel. now only books groups and somehow there were groups the previous weekend and the following weekend but not the weekend I was there.

Big thank you to Naomi Brill for arranging that for me. I brought my assistant Dave ” The Ironer” who started out ironing people’s clothes at parties and hot clubs in NY, even on the dance floor, if they looked wrinkled. So it was just the two of us in this entire huge, gorgeous resort! So in our downtime we made this little video:

MEL BROOKS THE 99 YEAR OLD MAN

Judd Apatow and Mike Bonfiglio both of whom I have the pleasure of calling friends have Exec. Produced and directed a fabulous 2 part HBO documentary on Mel Brooks called “Mel Brooks – The 99 Year Old Man” kind of a take-off on his 2000 Year Old Man that he did with his dear friend, the late Carl Reiner. It’s a masterful piece of work that must have taken years to create! The editor deserves an award of some kind as well!

And Judd must have been so excited sitting with Mel and doing the interviews,. I know how I felt sitting with legends I saw as a kid, like Milton Berle, Jerry Lewis, Sid Caesar, George Burns, Woody Allen and Jackie Mason. I’m glad he gave himself screentime as opposed to the docs where you just hear the interviewer speaking offfscreen.

WITH THE GREAT MEL BROOKS WHEN HE WAS ONLY 90

The film is filled with sound bytes and video from the comedy greats of yesteryear like Sid Caesar, Milton Berle, and Richard Pryor, several scenes with poor Rob Reiner, as well as the stars of today like Jerry Seinfeld, Nick Kroll. Sarah Silverman, Adam Sandler, Ben Stiller, Dave Chappelle, Ronny Chieng and my friend Nick Brooks one of Mel’s sons. It’s a must see if you like comedy and if you’re reading this column I have to assume you do. I stayed up till 3:30 A.M. watching both parts. I tried to leave to go to sleep but I just couldn’t do it!!! (LOL)

WITH NICK KROLL

WITH NICK BROOKS

In watching the doc I came to realize how much I had been influenced by Mel and Carl in early films I did like interviewing a woman married to a well known busimessman who turned out to be an infant, and an interview with a woman who was robbed by two men disguised as jewelry, the dreaded Masters of Disguise!

MISS BRAZIL DROPS BY THE COMEDY MATTERS CRIB

So nice of comedy fan Gizele ( Miss Brazil) to take time off from her national tour to visit me at the Comedy Matters crib!

OWNING MANHATTAN- THE PARTY

In truth it’s not a comedy, Owning Manhattan is reality TV, the Netflix hit about Serhant Realty and the exciting world of real estate, but a lot of funny stuff goes on and Ryan Serhant is definitely a force. I had met him years ago when he was doing Million Dollar Listing and then he created Serhant Realty and it’s taking over the country! The man sells $60-$100 million of real estate a month. For anyone who doesnt know, … that’s a lot of money!!! Truthfully that’s more than some people make in a year!!!

WITH REAL ESTATE SUPERSTAR RYAN SERHANT

So I got invited to the party for the 2nd season downtown in the beautiful Serhant townhouse that serves as his office. I got to be interviewed in a couple of videos and got to meet my favorite Serhant team member on the show, Genesis Suero a true superstar in the making! Even in this climate of high interest rates,who wouldn’t take out a mortgage to buy something from Genesis???

MIKA LORENZO ON THE RISE

Up and coming comic Mika Lorenzo will be hosting at Gotham Comedy Club on Feb. 4th and just had the honor of introducing Jerry Seinfeld to the Gotham crowd on another night he was hosting. He’ll be doing what he describes as a mini-special on Feb. 28th at Fear City on the Lower east Side, and there’s a good chance that I will be on the show!!! This column has to end somewhere and I think this is a good time for that to happen!

THIS COLUMN WILL ALSO APPEAR ON SUBSTACK AND YOU CAN FOLLOW JEFFREY ON INSTAGRAM AT @JEFFREYGURIAN AND ON TIKTOK AT @JEFFREYLGURIAN AND THANKS TO MANY SUGGESTIONS, COMEDY MATTERS IS NOW ON PATREON AFTER ALL THESE YEARS TO HELP DEFRAY THE COSTS INVOLVED. CLICK ON THE LINK TO SEE THE DIFFERENT TIERS. https://www.patreon.com/c/comedymatterstv/shop?vanity=comedymatterstv

Tags: Alejandro Morales, Borsacht Belt Comedy Festival, Borscht Belt Museum, Brian Quinn, Chris Roach, comedy parties, Emilio Savone, Gotham Comedy Club, Harrison Greenbaum, Impractical Jokers, Jackie Mason, Jeffrey Gurian, Joe DeRosa, Judd Apatow, Mel Brooks, New York Comedy Club, Nikki Glaser, Robin Montague, Sheba Mason, Sherri Shepherd, Subhah Agarwal

Posted in: Celeb Photos, Celebrity Death, Celebrity Passing, Comedians In The News, Comedy, Comedy Central, Comedy Clubs, Comedy Events, Comedy Festivals, Comedy Matters, Comedy Thoughts, Comedy Videos, Entertainment News, Jeffrey Gurian News, New Films, New TV Show, Social Media, Stand-Up Comedy, Unusual News

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COMEDY MATTERS ROUND-UP WITH JEREMY PIVEN, CHRIS DISTEFANO, JEFF ROSS, JOE LIST, MARK NORMAND, CORINNE FISHER, NYCF, GROSSINGERS DOC PREMIERE AND SO MUCH MORE!!!

Posted by Jeffrey Gurian on November 24, 2025

JEREMY PIVEN – THE ONLY ACTOR WHO CAN REALLY DO STAND-UP

I’ve been a fan of Jeremy Piven since he created the iconic role of Ari Gold on Entourage. We met when he was performing stand-up at the old Stand Up NY club on West 78th Street. I went expecting to hate it because for some reason many actors and social media influencers think that just because they’re used to being on stage or seen in public, that will automatically translate to them being funny on stage! Couldn’t be further from the truth. Most of them are HORRIBLE!!!

I was invited as a guest of a friend to attend a show recently where a social media influencer was headlining, and I would never mention her name, but she was so bad that the owner of the venue called people the next day to apologize. Fortunately they had a real standup comic open for her which kind of saved the show.

In any case that night at Stand Up I was blown away by Jeremy’s performance, and stage presence. He was a natural and I was so pleasantly surprised I had to tell him when he got off stage, and we’ve been friends ever since. So when I heard he’d be performing at Sony Hall I knew I had to be there.

It was a packed house and I was seated next to my old friends Ice-T and his amazing wife Coco Austin. We were all pleasantly surprised to see each other. Sean Millea a comic I knew from Gary Vaynerchuck’s Vayner Media was one of Jeremy’s openers, and he did great. Although I asked him afterwards how he was able to do certain jokes he chose to do with his mother in the audience! (LOL) I could NEVER with my Mom!!!

JEREMY PIVEN WITH ICE-T AND THE BEAUTIFUL COCO AUSTIN

Anyway Jeremy did not disappoint. He’s really so funny and so likable on stage, and he does amazing impressions. His impression of Stallone was truly incredible. Many people lined up after the show to meet him and he’s exceptionally gracious to all of his fans.

We hung out backstage and shot a little video and talked about our respective Moms who we both loved and miss greatly. He’s basically the exact opposite of Ari Gold, which shows you what a good actor he is! But he’s a great stand-up too!!! ( And I’m glad to call him a friend!)

CHRIS DISTEFANO INVITES ME TO PERFORM AT THE CELLAR

November 11th was a very special day for me. Aside from the fact that it was 11/11 which is a very mystical and magical combination of numbers, it was the day I got to perform at the legendary Comedy Cellar at the invitation of Chris Distefano, whose career gets more huge with every passing day. I was with him when he made comedy history by selling out Radio City Music Hall on a Friday night and the very next night sold out MSG Theater! James Mattern, one of the best hosts, and Chris’s usual host was the host that evening and we had a blast! And right from there I ran to perform on Laura Slutsky’s amazing cancer benefit you’ll read about below!

ONSTAGE AT THE CELLAR

WITH MY MAIN MAN, CHRIS DISTEFANO

SOHO INTERNATIONAL FILM FEST CELEBRATES SWEET 16

Hard to believe it’s been 16 years since Jorge Ballos created the Soho International Film Fest run by the incredible team of Sibyl and Carlos Santiago, and I make sure to attend every year and do red carpet interviews! Filmmakers and stars come from all over the world, and this year I even got to moderate one of the films, a comedy film called ” A Cell Phone Movie” created by a talented guy named Will Sterling who wrote, produced, directed and starred in the film shot entirely on a cell phone. And the nighttime parties, as well as the closing party were totally awesome!!! Film people definitely know how to party!!! Already looking forward to year 17!!!

WITH MULTI-TALENTED WRITER/ACTOR/DIRECTOR WILL STERLING

CORINNE FISHER IS GROWING UP

I first met Corinne Fisher when she was a little girl! At least it seems that way! LOL We worked together for a year when she was new in comedy. And it’s been so fun watching her become the big star, and classy lady she has become. So for her birthday at a really cool place called Pinky Swear she only invited 219 of her closest friends and I think that every single one of them showed up… and more!!!

THE BIRTHDAY GIRL GETS HER CAKE!!!

I know I did, and it was the best time! It was sandwiches from Joe DeRosa’s place Joey Roses, and a kick-ass band called the Up All Nighters which was truly amazing and got everybody going with their high energy and great musical choices!

WITH CORINNE FISHER, … AND THAT GREEN LIGHT IS HER HEART LIGHT CAUSE SHE HAS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL HEART!!!

TAMMY PESCATELLI AT THE TRIAD WITH AN AFTER PARTY AT GOTHAM

I’ve known Tammy Pescatelli for a very long time but I’ve known her husband comedian/actor Luca Palanca even longer! So I was really psyched when Luca called me to tell me that Tammy was coming to NY to tape a special, at The Triad Theater one of my favorite places, which will appear again later in this column. I wouldn’t swear to it but I think Tammy told me her special will be called ” Tammy The Bull.”

(L-R) WITH LUCA PALANCA AND BRIAN HOLTZMAN

WITH TAMMY PESCATELLI AT GOTHAM

The show was great, packed crowd, and the after-party was in the downstairs lounge at Gotham where I got to meet Brian Holtzman, a wild man who Luca said was the funniest guy he ever met, and who has his own show at Joe Rogan’s Mothership, a club I must get to! His show is called Holtzman and Friends and is on every Thursday night.

LAURA SLUTSKY’S CANCER FUNDRAISER AT THE TRIAD

Since I already mentioned The Triad, I may as well do the piece on producer Laura Slutsky’s show in honor of a man named Ryan Dwars, who beat pancreatic cancer. Laura met him and his wife by chance, took a liking to them, and told him if he could get to the point where he was in remission she’d produce a show in his honor. I guess that was an incentive to him, cause he beat the cancer and Laura produced the show, a 3 hour show with amazing talent and Ryan and his wife traveled up from down South to attend. I was honored to perform.

(L-R) BOB GREENBERG, DAVE KONIG, SANDY EHLERS, AND YOU KNOW WHO!!!

NEW YORK COMEDY FESTIVAL IN IT’S 21ST YEAR

The New York Comedy Festival can finally vote and drink legally now since it’s 21 years old! (LOL) I’m pretty sure I’ve been covering it every year, and even got to perform in two shows there the last weekend before it closed after 30 years, thanks to Jeffrey Ross who invited me to do a set on his last show.

Major congratulations to Caroline Hirsch and Andrew Fox as well as their hard-working team of Louis Faranda, Carolyn Gitomer and Greg Charles. I could easily do an entire column on just the shows I saw at the fest, and all the parties I attended but I’ll try and give you a taste of what it was like.

Maybe I’ll just summarize the talent I got to see and where I got to see them, which might make it a bit easier. I was excited to meet Ban Bankas who’s from Canada and came down to do an awesome show at The Gramercy Theater. Ben’s comedy is very much out there, brave, courageous and done in good spirit, where he laughs at himself sometimes, as if he can’t believe what he just said, but you can tell he’s a great guy who loves people. And as someone who had a Chinese girlfriend for many years, I can attest to the fact that his Chinese accent is on point!!! We exchanged info and I hope to see him again!

WITH THE GREAT BEN BANKAS

Joe List and Friends was also held at The Gramercy, … another sold out show, … and as I walked in to the green room I was greeted by Joe, his wife comedian Sarah Tollemache, Mark Normand, Sam Morril, comedy exec Maureen Taran, Liz Furiati who runs The Cellar, and who always calls me “Gurian”, Kerryn Feehan, and Matt Salacuse who was filming the backstage action. The show was amazing, the backdrop named Joe List as ” The Man of the Year” and back stage there was a delicious chocolate cake with that very inscription. Someone couldn’t wait to taste it before I got the pic, and it wasn’t ME!!!!

WITH JOE AND SARAH

MARK NORMAND GIVING ME A HAND

WITH JEFF ROSS SANS WIG

Right after this show Mark Normand and Matt Ruby did their own show “Shtick or Treat” where they came out dressed as Saudi princes and comics came out in different get-ups doing other comedian’s material. Jeff Ross came out with a wig as the late, great Richard Lewis! Joe and Sarah were on their way to SkankFest in Vegas!!!

Some stand-outs for me at the fest were Gastor Almonte, who has such a unique delivery coupled with clever material, Nacya Marreiro from LA, who came with her dog Oslo, and Richard Villa who were all part of a Latino show at New York Comedy Club. The backstage area was like a party with these fun people, and it was so good to re-connect with Richard who remembered me from when I was out in LA and showed up at the Refried Comedy Show. In the video we shot outside in the street he was mobbed by audience members who needed to tell him how much they loved the show and I left it in the video!

GASTOR ALMONTE AT NYCC

WITH NACYA MARREIRO AND OSLO

WITH RICHARD VILLA OUTSIDE OF NYCC INCLUDING RAVES FROM THE AUDIENCE

Then I got to see a club I hadn’t been to before , the new and very special Highline Comedy Club run by Tom Luciano, who I told that if the club stayed as successful as it is, they’d call him Lucky Luciano! Great show with Gary Vider, Andy Fiori my pal from Sirius XM days, Meghan Hanley who was a great host, and J.P.McDade. All very funny which is perfect for a comedy show! Really nice room with a huge green room restaurant on the floor above.

(L-R) ANDY FIORI, GARY VIDER, MEGHAN HANLEY AND J.P. MCDADE

Another new club I was glad to check out is owned by another guy with only two initials as his first name, my buddy P.J. Landers, who opened the new two story Comedy Village on West 44th Street. Beautiful club. P.J.showed me around and I even tried out the stage!

Speaking of new venues, major congrats to Cris and Paul Italia at The Stand who are making the Chelsea Music Hall into The Stand West. It’s a great space. I’ve been on that stage several times including Seth Herzog’s Sweet shows, and these Italia guys really know how to build a successful club. I got to see Daniel Bridge-Gadd there, hosting the Ed Bassmaster show. Daniel is an ex-football player who transitioned into comedy and is very funny.

DANIEL BRIDGE-GADD ON STAGE AT THE STAND WEST

(L-R) WITH PAUL ITALIA AND LOUIS FARANDA THE HUMBLE LONG-TIME HEAD OF THE NYCF

Daniel describes himself as a “white-talking Black Jewish guy” which basically covers all the bases, and which explained why he was able to get away with using the “N” word. He’s really light-skinned. As for me, I’m so politically correct I don’t even take the “N” train!!! (LOL)

The Stand East had one of the hottest NYCF parties and lots of fun peeps showed up.

(L-R) COMEDY EXECS JODI LIEBERMAN, AND ZOE FRIEDMAN

WITH T.J.MILLER

WITH SEATON SMITH

And the Hard Rock was the main base of operations where I got to see a bunch of new faces and one of the best shows was hosted by Ryan Long, who I hadn’t seen in a long time!

WITH RYAN LONG AT THE HARD ROCK HOTEL SHOWROOM

PERIEL AND FRIENDS AT WEST SIDE COMEDY

Comedian Periel Aschenbrand put together a great show at West Side Comedy Club, with Dan Naturman, who she does the Comedy Cellar podcast with, Olga Namer and the incredible Matt Friend. I say “incredible” because on one of his Instagram posts where he literally turns into Rami Malek my comment on his amazing ability to transform himself already has over 1850 likes and climbing every single day.

I have worked with several legendary impressionists in the past like Rich Little, Frank Gorshin, Fred Travalena, and the great political impressionist and my old friend Jim Morris, and Matt Friend is up there with the best of them. It’s uncanny to watch him morph into the person he’s imitating, especially when he does Mitch McConnell! After all my years in comedy, very few things make me laugh out loud. That does!!!

WITH RICH LITTLE AT A FRIARS ROAST-80’S

MATT FRIEND ON STAGE

WITH PERIEL ASCHENBRAND

WORLD PREMIERE OF “WE MET AT GROSSINGERS”

A world premiere of any film is always exciting, but even moreso when you’re in the film!!! The tremendous success of the Netflix hit ” The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” spurred a renewed interest in that time period, the 1950’s when the Borscht Belt in upstate New York, had gorgeous hotels like Grossingers, The Concord, Kutcher’s, The Nevele and lots more. Grossingers stood out as it had it’s own airport, a ski slope where they brought in artificial snow so you could ski in the summer, an ice skating rink, indoor and huge outdoor pools, and all the biggest comedy talent of the time.

I was at Grossingers at two different points in my life. As a child.from 10-13, singing solo in the Samuel Sterner choir, that performed there on the High Holy Days, and as an adult writing for the major comedians who performed at the hotel like Milton Berle, who was my sponsor in The Friars Club, Jerry Lewis, Allen and Rossi, Dick Capri, Freddy Roman and tons more.

ME AT 10 YEARS OLD AT GROSSINGERS WITH MY MOM AND DAD DRESSED TO SING FOR THE HIGH HOLIDAYS ( FROM THE ORIGINAL PHOTO PACKET!!! REMEMBER THOSE ???)

That’s why I was honored to be included in this wonderful film that focussed on the life of Jennie Grossinger. Jennie, who always came out to greet me as a child, was the only woman who owned and ran such a huge hotel and was known world-wide for her hospitality, hosting heads of state as well as famous athletes like Jackie Robinson. Jackie broke the color barrier not only in sports but in hotel stays at Grossingers.

Thanks to Harris Salomon of Atlantic Overseas Pictures, who came up with the idea, and Bobby Friedman from Bungalow Entertainment, and especially thanks to award-winning director Paula Eiselt the film is a masterpiece and a very important film for our time, showing the tremendous contribution of the Jewish people to our society, and how they worked hard to include the Black community in places where they were previously not allowed. This film is a “Must See.”

PROMO PHOTO FOR WE MET AT GROSSINGERS

WITH AWARD-WINNING DIRECTOR PAULA EISELT

WITH PAULA EISELT AND PRODUCER BOBBY FRIEDMAN FROM BUNGALOW ENTERTAINMENT

A PANEL WE DID FOR THE FILM AT THE BORSCHT BELT FESTIVAL IN ELLENVILLE, NY–HARRIS SALOMON IS IN THE REAR

Then a few days after the premiere there was a huge party and comedy show at Mr. Purple, a very hip downtown space co-hosted by Patricia Heaton from Everybody Loves Raymond, and comic Judy Gold! And I got to sit with my old pal Robert Klein who was being honored with an award, and who told me he was not planning on performing, but wound up performing anyway due to popular demand!!!

COMEDY MATTERS GIRL OF THE MONTH

HERE’S TO KATY FOR HER LOVE OF COMEDY AND SUPPORT OF THE COMEDY SCENE

And with that I thank you all for indulging me with this very long column, but there was just so much to see and do since the last one. I had so much more, it could have been even longer!!!

Until next time, follow Jeffrey on Instagram at @jeffreygurian and on TikTok at @jeffreylgurian and we’ll see you out in the clubs!!! AND PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SHARE THIS WITH A FRIEND WHO LIKES COMEDY!!!

Tags: "Comedy Cellar", "Comedy Matters TV", "Corinne Fisher", "New York Comedy Club", "New York Comedy Festival", "NY Comedy Festival", Ari Gold, Ben Bankas, Chris Distefano, Entourage, Gotham Comedy Club, Gramercy Theater, Jacob Williams, Jeff Ross, Jeffrey Gurian, Jeffrey Ross, Jeremy Piven, Joe List, Mark Normand, Matt Friend, Nacya Marriero, NYCF, Richard Villa, Ryan Long, Sam Morril, Soho International Film Festival, T.J>Miller, The Stand NYC, Triad Theater, West Side Comedy Club, Wild 'n Out

Posted in: Celeb Photos, Charity Events, Comedians In The News, Comedy, Comedy Central, Comedy Clubs, Comedy Events, Comedy Festivals, Comedy Matters, Comedy Thoughts, Comedy Videos, Entertainment News, Film Festivals, Jeffrey Gurian News, Red Carpet Events, Social Media, Stand-Up Comedy

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COMEDY MATTERS – SPECIAL EDITION WITH JEFFREY ROSS ON BROADWAY, CHRIS DISTEFANO AT THE THEATER AT MSG, AND NATE BARGATZE AT THE EMMY’S!

Posted by Jeffrey Gurian on September 15, 2025

JEFF ROSS BRINGS A BANANA TO BROADWAY

I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Jeffrey Ross for more than 20 years, and there’s nothing better than seeing a friend do well, except maybe seeing YOURSELF do well! (LOL) I was at the Roast they did of Jeff Ross back in the day, when my pal uber-manager Barry Katz, who managed Dave Chappelle, Bill Burr, Tracy Morgan, Nick Swardson, Wanda Sykes and so many more, owned the Boston Comedy Club down in the Village! Below are just some of the photos of me and Jeffrey taken over the years!

WITH JEFFREY IN 2005

WITH JEFFREY IN 2006 AT A FRIARS ROAST

WITH JEFFREY IN 2007

As a member of The Friars Club for so many years, ( humble brag – Milton Berle was my sponsor! LOL) and as the main writer for the legendary Roasts for 12 years under producer Bob Saks, I was thrilled to watch Jeff climb to the honored position of RoastMaster General. He kind of took over for Milton as being the Roast Master and could always be counted on to absolutely destroy the crowd with such sharp material.

WITH COMIC STRIP OWNER RICHIE TIENKEN WHEN WE DID JEFF’S INTERVIEW FOR MY BOOK “MAKE ‘EM LAUGH“

AT JOAN RIVERS’ FUNERAL- JEFF LOOKS LIKE AN MMA FIGHTER

WITH JEFF AT GOTHAM COMEDY CLUB

WITH JEFF IN 2014

WITH JEFF IN 2015

So it was very exciting for me to see Jeffrey attain the honor of having a one-man show on Broadway, which only a handful of other comedians have done, like Jackie Mason and Mike Birbiglia. Other comics like the great Dick Capri, the very first comedian I ever wrote for, were stars in an ensemble like Catskills on Broadway which was still a HUGE honor, but doing it all by yourself is truly a rarity.

“Take A Banana For The Ride” is not only funny but the very touching story of Jeffrey’s life, having lost both of his parents at a very early age, and basically being raised by his maternal grandfather Jack, who he affectionately called “Pop Jack” and who Jeffrey credits for giving him the incentive to be in comedy. As a young man his grandfather would give him a few bucks and told him to “take a banana for the ride” referring to the bus ride from New Jersey to Manhattan where Jeffrey would perform in clubs.

No one outside of comedy knows the struggles you have to face and the obstacles you have to overcome to become known in comedy. It’s truly amazing that anyone ever makes it at all! Besides the personal struggles, which were huge, Jeffrey fortunately overcame a battle with colon cancer, the story of which he makes part of the show, revealing that they had to take 9 inches off of his colon, leaving him with just a “semi-colon”, a great joke that only a true comedian could come up with.

The show is much more than a “performance”, because a performance can feel just that, … like a performance, … like it’s contrived. Jeff speaks from his heart, as if you were with him one on one. It’s very personal. There were moments that It moved me and many people to tears. It needs to have an extended run!!!

WITH JEFF BACKSTAGE AT THE NEDERLANDER THEATER

Backstage after the show I had the opportunity to congratulate Jeff personally and reminisce about some special times we shared. Like the time in Montreal at the JFL Festival, when he and I were having lunch together, and a man came over to the table and apologized for interrupting our lunch but told Jeffrey to stay another day, because his film Patriot Act had won the top award! I never forgot that and neither did Jeff!

Then there was the time he lost his phone in an Uber, which is a very traumatic thing, and we were outside of a comedy club in Manhattan, and I felt so bad for him that instead of going inside to watch the show, I stayed with him and we used my phone to track down his phone and actually got it back!

THANK YOU TO STAND-UP COLORING BOOK!

Every once in a while I get contacted by some talented artist who gifts me with something special. This time it was Christian of Stand-Up Coloring Books on Instagram that created this little cartoon thingy for me promoting the new video about me, shot and directed by @TheHomeless Pimp, which you can see below if you are so inclined!!!

NOEL LEON AT EASTVILLE COMEDY

Noel Leon, comic/actress/influencer did a show at Eastville Comedy Club out in Brooklyn and people know that basically the only way to get me out to Brooklyn is to put me on the show, so she did! (LOL) Last year we had done a little film together called “A Walk In The Park” which she described as “an homage to Woody Allen” who was my comedic inspiration. He actually read my earliest material, and encouraged me to go further with it. Also I find it hard to go to Brooklyn because I have no beard!

Noel’s show is more like a performance piece, which would be great in a theater, as she does characters, mixed in with the jokes. She had Kate Robards as the host, with Mickey Gooch, who was there with his family including his Mom, but didn’t let that stop him from doing his material, and the always funny Corinne Fisher from her hit podcast “Guys We F***ed” dropped by to do a guest spot. Always special to see Corinne! Little did I know that I’d have the pleasure of seeing her again the following week backstage at Chris Distefano’s show at The Theater at MSG, which you’ll be reading about next! Totally fun night out in Brooklyn, … even with no beard! !

PROOF THAT I WAS THERE!!! ((NO BEARD!)

NOEL LEON ON STAGE

CORINNE FISHER ON STAGE

CHRIS DISTEFANO KILLS IT AGAIN AT MSG THEATER

Everybody loves Chris Distefano. There’s just something about the guy. You gotta love him! And talking about how long I know someone. I know Chris Distefano through his transformation from an infant when he was my guest on Sirius XM’s Ron and Fez show back in 2014 to the rock star he looks like now!

CHRIS D AS AN INFANT WITH ME ON SIRIUS XM

CHRISSY D LOOKING LIKE THE ROCK STAR HE IS!!!

So when his manager Emilio Savone, owner of 5 NY Comedy Clubs told me that he would be back at the Theater at MSG for the second time, I told him to save me two seats!

Of course Chris had his main guy James Mattern hosting the show. James opens for Chris all over the world. And I think it’s safe to say that nobody brings the energy like James Mattern, … and the guy doesn’t even need a mic! He could be whispering and you’re like ” James, tone it down!” LOL He gets the audience psyched and won’t even let Chris come out ’til they are at a fever pitch!

“Aruba Ray” Ellin flew in from Aruba … where he spends half the year performing at his own comedy club, … to be the first comic to entertain after James warmed up the crowd. Ray is reliably funny and takes self-deprecating humor to another level. Every audience loves self-deprecating humor cause it males them feel like they’re ok, but when Ray does a thing about his hair that makes him look like certain historical figures, the audience is screaming with laughter.

I’ll never forget the first night I met Ray, many, many years ago at The Comic Strip. I don’t even know if he remembers this. I started Comedy Matters 25 years ago and it was fairly new when this happened, but Ray saw me taking notes at his show, and didn’t know I was writing a column. He thought I was copying down his jokes, and when he found out the truth we both had a good laugh about it, and have been friends ever since.

He even hosted a diabetes fund-raiser for me at The Strip and starred in a little film I wrote for YouTube star Lauren Francesca, who played a character known as Besame Mucho, the best kisser in the world, and Ray had to kiss her in the film. I think he still owes me for that! (LOL)

( Well, … he did invite me down to Aruba this coming March, so that’s something!!! )

Then James announced a very special guest and Colin Quinn came out to thunderous applause. Colin and I go back probably even before I started writing Comedy Matters, to the days he was doing MTV’s Remote Control, and I was writing for MTV’s Friday Night Video Fights! We were both children, and MTV was in it’s infancy! LOL

WITH COLIN IN 2010

WHEN COLIN WAS MY VERY FIRST GUEST ON SIRIUS XM WITH RON AND FEZ-2014

WITH COLIN IN 2018 WHEN WE SHOT AN EPISODE OF HBO’S CRASHING AT THE COMEDY CELLAR

Colin was my very first guest on Sirius XM with Ron Bennington and Fez Whatley back in 2014. I knew him before he had any facial hair. Then we did an episode of Crashing together at The Comedy Cellar back in 2018 and in December of 2023 I got to open for him at the Vermont Comedy Festival and we had a blast hanging out and running around Vermont for the weekend. Then we drove back to NY together. It’s ALWAYS great to see Colin!

WITH COLIN QUINN BACKSTAGE AT THE THEATER AT MSG AFTER CHRIS D’S SHOW-9/11/25

After the show we all got to hang out backstage which as I always say is the fun part for me. It’s the part that most people never get to see! But that’s why you read this column! (LOL) Here’s a sneak peek for you guys, starting with the ovation Chris got after the show!

WITH MY MAN CHRIS D AT THE THEATER AT MSG

THE PROGRESSION OF NATE BARGATZE

No one can ever tell me I don’t have a good eye for talent. When I brought Nate Bargatze on Sirius XM as my guest back in 2014, I knew he’d be big, but had no idea HOW big! Highest grossing comedy performer in Boxscore history in 2024, when his “The Be Funny Tour” brought in 82.2 million buckaroos! In 2023 his special “Hello World” on Amazon Prime became the platform’s most-streamed original comedy special in its first 28 days of viewership, and this Sunday he Exec. Produced and hosted The Emmy awards on CBS at the Peacock Theater in LA. I think that’s a pretty big thing! And he looks like a different person! Success does that for people. It allows you to become who you were meant to be!

WITH NATE AT SIRIUS XM – 2014

WITH NATE AT JFL-2015

WITH NATE AT THE RICH VOS ROAST 2017

And this is how he looks now hosting The Emmy’s!!!

NATE BARGATZE HOSTING THE 2025 EMMY’S

Sorry but that’s it for this issue! More coming soon, but I wanted to get the Jeffrey Ross story out asap to encourage the powers that be to extend the show!

Make sure to follow Jeffrey on IG at @jeffreygurian and on TikTok at @jeffreylgurian and of course on YouTube when you watch the videos in this column!!! Bye for now!!!

Tags: backstage interview, backstage passes, celebrity interview, Chris Distefano, Comedy, Comedy Matters TV, Frairs Roast, Friars Club, Jeff Ross, Jeffrey Gurian, Jeffrey Ross on Broadway, Nate Bargatze, Noel Leon, RoastMaster General, Ron Bennington, Sirius XM radio, Sold Out Show, Stand Up Comedy, Take a Banana For The Ride, The Emmy Awards, The Theater at Madison Square Garden, TV host, vip access, VIP interview

Posted in: Breaking News, Broadway Show, Celeb Photos, Comedians In The News, Comedy Central, Comedy Clubs, Comedy Events, Comedy Festivals, Comedy Matters, Comedy Videos, Film Review, General Information, Jeffrey Gurian News, Nightlife Events, Red Carpet Events, Sketch Comedy, Social Media, Stand-Up Comedy, TV Show

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COMEDY MATTERS ROUND-UP WITH NICK KROLL, MARC MARON, JIM GAFFIGAN, MIKE BIRBIGLIA, HASAN MINHAJ, JIM GAFFIGAN, JEFF GARLIN, BORSCHT BELT COMEDY AND LOTS MORE!!!

Posted by Jeffrey Gurian on August 25, 2025

MIKE BIRBIGLIA AND HASAN MINHAJ AT 92Y TALKING ABOUT MIKE’S LATEST HIT SPECIAL “THE GOOD LIFE”

92NY KILLING IT ON THE COMEDY SCENE

In this issue of Comedy Matters alone there are three killer events at the 92nd Second Street Y! So kudos to 92NY!!! As for the first event, let me say that there are very few comics who can pull off solo shows. And even less ones who can turn them into films. Mike Birbiglia is one of those guys who can!

I’ve known MIke since the early 2000’s and have the photos to prove it! ( See below) And I’ve been a big fan of his ever since I saw his first one-man show “Sleepwalk With Me”, back in 2008 at the Bleecker Street Theater. It was presented by Broadway star Nathan Lane, and it was a huge hit! Thanks to Mike, I have’t been able to get word “jackal” out of my consciousness for the last 17 years. If you saw the show, you’ll get it.

WITH MIKE BACKSTAGE SOMEWHERE EARLY 2000’S

WITH MIKE BACKSTAGE AT THE BLEECKER STREET THEATER FOR SLEEPWALK WITH ME–2008

The sight of what he thought was a jackal in his bedroom, while sleep-walking, caused him to leap out the window in order to escape it. Thank G-d he survived because he’s done five more solo shows since, that people needed to see, and I believe I’ve seen them all. My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend, Thank G-d for Jokes, The New One, The Old Man In The Pool, and currently The Good Life which they played at the 92Y before Mike took the stage for a conversation with Hasan Minhaj,another great comic story-teller. Putting them together on the stage was a masterful choice.

WITH MIKE BACKSTAGE AT THE CORT THEATER FOR “THE NEW ONE”–CIRCA 2018

MIKE AND HASAN ON STAGE

ALL THE THANK YOU’S

Mike has a way of tackling difficult topics like his Dad’s stroke, and making it touching and funny at the same time. He also talked a lot about fatherhood in a way you can tell how happy he is to be a Dad. It’s always interesting to me personally cause I knew all these guys when they were single and now they’re Dads! LOL The show is definitely a must-see, and is streaming on Netflix, his 4th Netflix special.

I had gotten a taste of it when Mike did a guest spot on Judd Apatow’s show at The Beacon Theater last November during the New York Comedy Festival. And when I went backstage to see Mike we talked about his Dad’s stroke and how he was doing at the time.

Hasan’s latest special, his third on Netflix is called “Off With His Head” . I’ve been at all of his other two specials as well, the first being “Homecoming King” back around 2016, and then “The King’s Jester” in 2022. Doing a one-man show is such a different medium. I too had always wanted to do a one man show, but I could never figure out who that one man should be!!! Just a few of my Hasan memories!!!

FROM MY DANCING WITH COMEDIANS SERIES-1/8/16

AT JFL MONTREAL- PHOTOBOMB COURTESY OF TREVOR NOAH-7/24/15

BACKSTAGE AT THE CHERRY LANE THEATER FOR HOMECOMING KING-1/8/16

After the show as I always do, I went backstage to say hi and congratulate them both. Mike was running out to an event but kindly took a moment to run over for a quick hug, and then I got to see Hasan!

JEFF GARLIN REPS OLD JEWISH MEN

Old Jewish Men is a popular site on Instagram and for the second spectacular 92NY comedy event, Jeff Garlin agreed to be placed in that category in conversation with Noah Rinsky, the young Jewish man who wrote the book “The Old Jewish Men’s Guide to Eating, Sleeping, and Futzing Around” moderated by a real Rabbi, Rabbi David Ingber, who I’m not sure got all the jokes, since Rabbi’s are rarely known for their sense of humor!

When it comes to Judaism they have it down pat, but the number of Rabbis doing stand-up is probably very small, although I actually did see one at the Borscht Belt Fest, and more on that later on in this column!

Jeff told a funny story about his Bar Mitzvah, and how he put on a happy face for his Mom, but the truth was the only good thing about it in his estimation was the cake! And Jeff must have lost about a hundred pounds in recent years, so the memory of that cake may be the only cake he gets these days!

JEFF GARLIN ON HIS BAR MITZVAH

MARC MARON AND JIM GAFFIGAN PANICKED

The third 92NY comedy event was with Marc Maron in conversation with Jim Gaffigan, another amazing coupling of talent. It was part of the Newmark Civic Life Series at 92NY, and in each of these events I’ve known these guys for many years and I recall being at Marc’s show ” Scorching The Earth” back in 2008, mostly about his break-up with his second wife Mishna, who I also knew well.

That show left an indelible impression on me that has never left. I actually recall where I sat, 17 years ago, because I think I was traumatized by the honesty of his performance, and our traumas are deeply engrained in our consciousness. I didn’t know that anyone could be that vulnerable on stage or would want to be that vulnerable. I know I couldn’t do it!

In “Panicked” the opening was very political leading into studies of his anxieties, and relationships. like the one with his father who has dementia, and the theme of aging, all through Marc’s unique perspective. At the 92Y you get the opportunity to fill out question cards before the show, and I was wondering if I wrote something personal to both him and Jim whether they’d read it out loud, or possibly roast me in front of the entire audience so I chose not to do it!

I did get to say “Hi” afterwards when Marc stayed on the stage for a few minutes greeting fans. I had sent JIm an e-mail before the show to let him know I was coming, but he wrote back to me the next day to apologize that he didn’t see it till the day after! Oh well! ( The photos below show how long I know these guys!!! And NONE of us have aged one bit!!! LOLOLOL)

WITH MARC AT SCORCHING THE EARTH-2009

MARC IN 2002

WITH MARC AT 92Y FOR SWORD OF TRUST FILM-2019

WITH JIM GAFFIGAN-JUNE 2001

WITH JIM AT THE COMIC STRIP-2009

WITH JIM AMD JEANNIE GAFFIGAN AT CAROLINES-2015

NICK KROLL IN FREE SHOW AT MADISON SQUARE PARK

New Yorkers got a special treat on one of the hottest nights of the year both literally and figuratively. It was 95 degrees and Nick Kroll brought his talents and his close comedy friends Rachel Feinstein, Ricky Velez, Sam Jay, and Jason Mantzoukas to do a free show for 1500 people spread out on the lawn of the beautiful Madison Square Park where Nick’s wife Lily Kwong created the beautiful installation known as “The Gardens of Renewal.”

She worked in collaboration with the Madison Square Conservancy to transform the park into a living artwork with special plantings, including a beautiful Meditation Garden and an interactive Children’s Garden. Lily was there as well.

The weird thing for me was that I was due at the same time at an event out on Staten Island which is an hour trip, but I didn’t went to miss seeing Nick perform. so I went there first knowing I could not stay for the whole thing. There was heavy security and metal stanchions closing off the space where Nick was hanging out “backstage” in kind of a tent with Jason Mantzoukas who I even recognized from the back! Some people, … like myself, … seem to be easily recognizable even from far away! (LOL)

NICK AND JASON MANTZOULAS IN THE TENT

NICK ON STAGE

THE AUDIENCE

You had to sign in with people in order to get to the area where Nick was hanging out, but I planned to watch the show from outside the metal stanchions so hopefully I could leave without disturbing anyone. That worked until Nick spotted me loitering at the gates and yelled out something like ” Let Jeffrey Gurian in” which I was very grateful for. So I went in and took a seat on the ground with everyone else, and got to see Rachel and Nick perform before I had to leave. A commitment is a commitment! But seeing Nick perform even for a few moments is always worth it to me!

Nick led the 1500 person audience in a guided meditation and issued an unusual challenge!!!

MARCUS RUSSELL PRICE AND THE HOMELESS PIMP BOTH VISIT THE COMEDY MATTERS CRIB

Not together but at separate times two of the most celebrated photographers and videographers on the comedy scene honored me with a visit to the Comedy Matters crib to check out my Comedy Museum, and shoot fun stuff with me! It would be hard to find a major comedy event where you wouldn’t see Marcus running up and down the aisle shooting pix of the action, and then again backstage. Even backstage at shows at places like City Winery like a recent show where Nick Kroll did a guest headliner spot!

WITH MARCUS RUSSELL PRICE IN FRONT OF ONE OF THE WALLS OF THE COMEDY MATTERS MUSEUM

Both of these guys also shoot and direct comedy specials, and Marcus has also produced shows, some of which I attended at Lincoln Center! ( Classy guy!!!) I think Pimp told me he directed 30 comedy specials already.

I got to experience Pimp’s talent when he filmed me on Chris DiStefano’s podcast, and for Joe DeRosa’s music video “Mouth On My Money.” He did such an extraordinary job of adding hilarious special effects, like where there was about 100 of me on the screen all doing different moves.

I neglected to say that my part was dancing like a maniac to the song played by Joe’s group Salsa Windfall. I keep meaning to ask Joe how he chose that name! When I agreed to do the part I had no idea I’d be dancing alone! (LOL) It was one of the most fun things I’ve ever done and I totally challenged myself to do it! You can see it here! ( Above!) Btw, Joe just got to perform on a Dave Chapelle live show!

Anyway I had a blast with both Marcus and Pimp. We shot lots of video, … even of me playing the piano, … which is still being edited by both of them. but which you will be seeing very shortly!!! Personally I can’t wait!!! This is a little video I shot with Pimp!

PODCAST KING COMES TO VISIT

It was truly a month for people visiting, shooting videos and recording podcasts at the Comedy Matters crib. Radio legend Buzz Knight, who produces the podcast Music Saved Me, through his company Buzz Knight Media, now also produces two other podcasts including “Takin’ A Walk” and the one most pertinent to readers of this column ” Comedy Saved Me.”

The “Music Saved Me” podcast, as well as “Comedy Saved Me” is hosted by Lynn Hoffman, a superstar radio and TV celeb interviewer, known for the intimate depth of her interviews, and It explores music’s healing and transformative power by featuring personal stories from musicians who have been impacted by their art. Now they’re doing comedy, and I was honored to be a guest! And strictly by coincidence the podcast came out this morning!

WITH BUZZ KNIGHT IN FRONT OF TWO OF THE WALLS OF THE COMEDY MATTERS MUSEUM

ON ZOOM WITH BUZZ AND THE AMAZING LYNN HOFFMAN

When Buzz came by to see the famed “Comedy Museum” with photos going back decades, he decided we should also tape an interview for “Takin’ A Walk”, which included an in-depth interview of my long history in comedy. Will be out very soon and the link will be posted!!!

BORSCHT BELT FEST A BIG SUCCESS

The tremendous success of Netflix’s The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel has led to a resurgence of interest in that time, … the 50’s, when hotels like Grossingers, The Concord, and The Nevele were the place to be seen.

The Catskill mountains resorts were known as The Borscht Belt because many of he early immigrants who built the hotels and came to stay were Eastern European Jews who ate borscht. Not sure if I ever had any , but it was a soup made from beets. I may not have had any borscht but I certainly frequented the Borscht Belt. It’s where many comedians performed before the days of comedy clubs. I was there as a child, singing solo in a choir and also as an adult, meeting and writing for the various comedians that performed there.

I was recenly in several scenes of a new documentary called ” We Met At Grossingers” Exec-produced by Harris Salomon of Atlantic Overseas Pictures and Bobby Friedman of Bungalow Entertainment, and directed by award-winning director Paula Eiselt. They had their LA premiere on July 9th.

WITH DIRECTOR PAULA EISELT AT GOTHAM COMEDY CLUB

It’s the 4th doc on comedy I’ve been in and we shot my scenes at Gotham Comedy Club, where I was interviewed by Paula and Bennett Elliot and where I brought some photos from back in the day as well as postcards I collected as a child from Grossingers, which are still in pristine condition. The other films I was in were a doc on Robin Willams, which I think was called ” Robin Wiliams- Come Inside My Mind”, “The Business of Comedy”, and “Eat, Drink and Laugh- The Story of The Comic Strip.”

Harris and renowned writer Alan Zweibel, the man who gave me my start in comedy, have created a scripted series called “The Mountains” of which you’ll be hearing a lot about in the near future.

Now in Ellenville, NY there is a Borsct Belt Museum and for the third year in a row they sponsor the Borscht Belt Comedy Festival over a weekend at the end of July. There was an opening night party on Friday night, and a lot of fun shows over Saturday and Sunday culminating in a street fair on Sunday afternoon.

SOME KIND PERSON POSTED THIS PHOTO OF ME ON STAGE

)L-R) WITH JEFF CAPRI AND SANDY HACKETT

Robert Klein was honored with an event at the museum, where there were posters of Milton Berle, Jerry Lewis, Joan Rivers and all the other people I had the honor of working with. One of the highlights for me besides headlining two of the shows on Saturday and Sunday was finally meeting comedian Jeff Capri, the son of the very first comedian who ever hired me to write for him, the great Dick Capri ,who left us so recently at 93 years of age. I also got to re-connect with Sandy Hackett the son of the legendary Buddy Hackett. He and Jeff were doing a show together.

VINTAGE POSTER IN THE BB MUSEUM

ROBERT KLEIN LEANING ON THE WALL AND WATCHING HIS DOC WITH EVERYONE ELSE

It was a great time and I’m sending a big shoutout to Robin Kauffman from the Borscht Belt board, and comic/booker Alejandro Morales, who just announced that he’s moving to Chile!

PICK UP ON THE PICK UP WITH PETE DAVIDSON, EDDIE MURPHY AND KEKE PALMER

Next time you’re home with nothing to do, and you wanna see Pete Davidson be hilariously funny in a starring role opposite Eddie Murphy and Keke Palmer, just go to Amazon Prime and look for The Pickup. It’s an action-comedy heist film where Pete and Eddie play two mismatched armored truck drivers who get involved in a crazy, wild, dangerous situation when a routine cash pickup goes awry thanks to Keke Palmer, who plays a very interesting role. Especially in the opening! So great to see Pete doing so well and on his way to becoming a Dad!!!

I’ve known Pete since he was a teen and used to come do my late night show at The Comic Strip, when I was co-hosting with Jordan Rock. I did Sunday and Monday nights, and Jordan did Tuesday and Wednesday! Pete would come in with Jordan and was funny from the jump. Then he got taken under Nick Cannon’s wing, and wound up on SNL for 8 seasons. He’s always been a great guy, and I’ll never forget when he introduced me to someone important to him by saying, ” This is Jeffrey Gurian, a guy you can trust!!!” To me that’s the most important thing someone can say about you!!!

The film also features Eva Longoria playing Eddie’s wife and Andrew “Dice” Clay playing the armored car owner/dispatcher! I hold the honor of being one of the only people ever to write for “Dice” and he says it openly cause he’s that kind of guy!!!

WITH PETE AT THE STRIP 12/20/11

PETE AND JORDAN ROCK
-3-26-12

WITH PETE AT THE PAUL VIRZI SPECIAL HE PRODUCED WITH BILL BURR-8-13-17

WITH THE AMAZING KEKE PALMER

TAKING AWAY A HEADACHE FROM “DICE” OUT IN LA IN 1998 AT THE ICONIC MEL;S; DINER

WITH“ “DICE” UP AT SIRIUS XM HOLDING THE PHOTO OF US FROM 1998

PLAYING A BAD MAGICIAN

I got hired to play a failed magician in an online commercial! Luckily I had a moustache collection and a derby, … cause you never know when you might need such things!!! Click the link to watch!

I think that’s enough for this column. More coming soon. In the meantime follow Jeffrey on Instagram at @jeffreygurian and on TikTok at @jeffreylgurian and I’ll see you out there Iin the clubs!!! And if you have any fun ideas or would like him to be in your show or project, you can reach Jeffrey at jeffrey@jeffreygurian.com

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Comedy Matters Round-Up With Highlights of NY Comedy Fest, Judd Apatow, JB Smoove, Jiaoying Summers, Gilbert Tribute and so much more!!!

Posted by Jeffrey Gurian on November 26, 2024

WITH JUDD APATOW AT HIS SHOW “JUDD APATOW AND FRIENDS” AT THE BEACON THEATER

I have to start this column with a shout-out to “The Queen of NY Comedy” Caroline Hirsch and Andrew Fox for this amazing 20th year of the New York Comedy Festival. Over 100 shows in 5 boroughs. They actually ran out of boroughs or there would have been more!!!

Next I have to thank their amazing hard-working team, namely Louis Faranda, head of booking, who’s been with Caroline the entire time, Greg Charles long-time head of publicity, and Carolyn Gitomer and Jonny Moran who work with Louis to make sure that everything runs smoothly. And it does!!!

CHRIS DISTEFANO – NEW YORK’S NEXT MAYOR?????

In the order of shows I attended, I started with Chris DiStefano’s “Hat Trick” which kicked off the festival’s first night. Chris did three shows in a row at each of New York Comedy Club’s venues. Six P.M. for the first show on East 4th Street, 7 P.M. for the 2nd show on 24th Street, and 9:30 at the new location on the West side where Stand Up NY used to be. I love their huge green room cause it’s big and they always have candy!

MY INTERVIEW WITH NEW YORK’S NEXT MAYOR

Owner Emilio Savone is amazing and now has five locations! We often reminisce how he started out as a ticket seller at The Comic Strip when I was writing the book on that legendary venue, that features a foreword by Chris Rock. I have some amazing news about Chris D. that I promised to keep secret until they’re ready for the world to know. So don’t even ask cause I won’t tell. But I do think he’ll make a great Mayor!!! ( Watch the video above!)

I’m good at keeping secrets. I kept a secret for Jerry Seinfeld for three months when he was doing his Netflix special at The Comic Strip. He asked me not to write about where he was doing it, and it would have made a great scoop but I don’t do things like that! I would never ruin a relationship for a scoop! Not even for Jason Scoop!!! (LOLOL)

WITH YOU KNOW WHO!!!

LOTS OF GARBAGE AT CHELSEA MUSIC HALL!!!

There were so many shows to choose from it was really hard to make a choice but the next night I went to see Are You Garbage, an audience participation show at one of my favorite venues, Michael Ginsberg’s Chelsea Music Hall where Seth Herzog does his Sweet shows. It was H. Foley, and Kevin Ryan with guests Sam Morril, and Mike Cannon. There may have been more but I had to leave to catch Judd Apatow and Friends at the Beacon Theater.

(L-R) Sam Morril, Kevin Ryan, and H.Foley in “Are You Garbage?”

JUDD APATOW AND FRIENDS SELL OUT THE BEACON

It was absolutely no surprise that the show was sold out for the man I refer to as “The King of Hollywood”, but with my All Access Pass I was able to hang backstage until luckily one single seat happened to open up. What’s special about Judd is that with all of his success people who have never met him will be glad to know he’s still a humble guy! Success has not gone to his head!

He opened up with a really strong probably 20 minute set, brought out the always funny Ricky Velez, who has a Judd-produced special, then he introduced Loudon Wainwright Jr. who did about 5 songs, and then Mike Birbiglia who I caught up with backstage and who did pieces from his new show “The Good Life” which he’ll be performing this coming March! Can’t wait! Mike has done more one man shows than anyone I know since Jackie Mason!

THIS SPEAKS FOR ITSELF

JUDD SENT ME THIS PHOTO LABELED “HANDSOME MEN”! LOL

Among other things Mike talked about his Dad’s stroke, which was made even more difficult because his Dad is a neurologist, so he knows everything they are doing for him, and maybe even more than they do. When I first met Ricky and Mike they didn’t have kids. Now Mike has a 9 year old daughter and Ricky has a six year old son! And speaking of kids, Judd’s daughter Iris was there and brought a ton of her friends! So special for a Dad. That’s the kind of stuff I like to talk about. There was a professional photographer backstage that got great photos of everyone. I on the other hand did the best I could! (LOL) Don’t judge me! (LOL)

JUDD AND FRIENDS ON STAGE

JUDD AND FRIENDS BACKSTAGE

Judd made it extra special for me by agreeing to participate in a really big project looming on the horizon that I’m involved with, along with D.L. Hughley, Jeffrey Ross, J.B. Smoove who also said “Yes”, Chris DiStefano, Colin Quinn, Mark Normand, Joe List and several more big names!

IRIS APATOW IS SECOND FROM LEFT

MIKE BIRBIGLIA AND RICKY VELEZ

WITH MIKE BIRBIGLIA

WITH JUDD APATOW

KATIE BOYLE ROCKS NYCC

Next on my journey was Katie Boyle’s special taped at New York Comedy Club on 24th Street. I love her accent and as you’ll see in the video below, … the audience did too!

NATALIE ORTEGA IS WICKEDLY FUNNY

Natalie Ortega’s Funny Girls was another stand-out performance for me again back at Chelsea Music Hall. It was an all women’s show but Natalie really stood out for me. She’s a natural and a real multi-talented comedy force. She has a role as Nessa Rose in Wicked on Broadway but she told me her great love is stand up comedy and she’s really good. She brings a level of excitement to the stage that’s palpable. I was so impressed I couldn’t wait to tell her. And I waited till right after her original song titled ” I Want To F**k Pete Davidson”! That’s really the name of the song. It’s not a cover. It’s original! I asked her if she knew him and she said “Not yet!” I can’t wait to tell Pete!

NATALIE ORTEGA ON STAGE

CLASSY NATALIE IN A GOWN

BEFORE WE GET STARTED

Ryan Reiss had a big honor during the festival. It was one of the main shows at The Hard Rock Hotel which was the base of operations for the festival. Six years of hard work led to a documentary film in which he starred called “Before We Get Started.” It was about the world of warm up comics. At one special point in the film Ryan gets to pitch his idea for a TV show to Howie Mandel, which was a long time dream of his. You actually get to see it happen on camera!

RYAN REISS AND PETE DEMAS

RYAN REISS PITCHING TO HOWIE MANDEL

Every TV show has a warm up comic. It’s a very different form of comedy than just coming out and doing your act for 15 minutes. The star of the show depends on you to get the audience psyched and ready for their appearance. Ryan and producer Pete Demas showed the film to a packed, sold-out room at The Hard Rock, and it was fantastic! A must see for anyone who loves and appreciates how hard it is to do comedy. And long time warm-ups like Tom Kelly, Gary Cannon, and Joey Kola, currently with the Drew Barrymore Show, who’s doing it for 31 years were all in the audience.

COMEDY GIVES BACK LUNCHEON

Back in 2011, Zoe Friedman, Amber J. Lawson and Jodi Lieberman did a wonderful thing in creating Comedy Gives Back. It’s a non-profit that is basically the safety net for the comedy community by providing financial crisis relief, mental health and chemical dependency treatment. Many comics are struggling to make ends meet and the ladies held a luncheon at Gotham Comedy Club, which thanks to Chris Mazzilli always makes itself available for a good cause, to spread the word about their work.

(L-R) ZOE FRIEDMAN, AMBER J. LAWSON, AND JODI LIEBERMAN

ZOE WITH ALAN ZWEIBEL

WITH ALAN ZWEIBEL

I got there early and had a chance to shmooze with the ladies and partake of their complimentary pizza lunch, until we were joined by Alan Zweibel, the man who gave me my start in comedy while he was a main writer up at SNL in the earliest days of the show. To this day he says he can’t get the image of “creamcheese on the ankles of elderly women who wore their stockings rolled down like bagels” which was a little film I made starring my grandmother that I brought up to SNL. It’s a story that has been told in the little doc they made about me in 2020. Some of the past recipients of CGB’s generosiyy were there to sing their praises. I also got to re-connect with Joanna Briley who once gave me the honor of being the opening act for the 2nd night of the Martin Luther King Comedy Fest in Bed-Stuy Brooklyn, a true honor for me!

THE LOVE FOR GILBERT GOES ON

One of the other big events of the festival was the tribute to Gilbert Gottfried at the Hard Rock. It was called “Celebrating Gilbert” and the screen said “Still Screaming”. HIs wife Dara hosted the sold out event and there was no chance I would miss this since Gilbert and I were friends since probably the late 70’s or early 80’s. We had a long fun history and I really loved that guy! In the early days at Carolines, he literally made me laugh until I was in physical pain with his squid material and absurd references! He would proudly claim that no one had more squid material than he did, as he tore a napkin into strips like the tentacles of a squid!!!!

CAROLINE HIRSCH ADDRESSING THE PANEL (L-R) FRANK SANTOPADRE, DARA GOTTFRIED, JUDY GOLD, SUSIE ESSMAN, AND RICHARD KIND

MY EARLIEST PHOTO WITH GILBERT CIRCA 80’S

DANCING WITH GILBERT 1992

GILBERT WEARING THE GLASSES I MADE FOR HIM FOR A FILM I WROTE FOR TV THAT HE STARRED IN!

It was a spectacular event with people sharing stories of Gilbert and how unique he was, and also his reputation for being cheap. Truthfully the most exciting part for me was meeting his kids Lily and Max. I remember when they were born and now Max is 15 and Lily is 17. I knew Gilbert so long I was with him in the hospital when his appendix burst back in the early 90’s. I used to drive him home when he lived with his Mom. I once asked him if she “got him”, … if she knew he was “Gilbert”, … if she had any idea who he was, and he said “No!” To her he was just her son Gilbert!

After everyone on the panel shared their stories Frank Santopadre went out in the audience to speak to people like Chevy Chase, Robert Smigel, and other people who had known and worked with Gilbert. I was sitting in the very last row and I was dying to tell one of my many Gilbert stories. I didn’t know how I was going to get their attention though, and my heart was pounding.

I told myself if I didn’t do this I would never forgive myself and never get another chance, so I started nervously walking down the aisle towards the stage, and two women came up behind me encouraging me to share my story. I think they were from the festival. As I got close to the stage I got up the nerve to call out ” Frank, can I tell a story?” And Frank said “Jeff Gurian, ladies and gentlemen, and handed me the mic.” The story I told is below and Chevy Chase was sitting right in front of me as you can see in the video thanks to videographer Bob Sweeney, who filmed the whole event!

At the end of the event something very special happened. Bruce Hills who ran JFL Montreal for so many years came down with Nick Brazao who currently runs the programming at JFL to present Dara, Lily and Max with a huge sports jersey that says Gottfried 55! Not sure why it was so huge, but 55 is the year Gilbert was born!

WITH LILY GOTTFRIED

DARA, LILY AND MAX GOTTFRIED

DARA, LILY, BRUCE HILLS, NICK BRAZAO, AND MAX GOTTFRIED AND THE JERSEY!!!

And the proverbial icing on the cake was when it came out on Page Six in the NY Post! ( With my photo no less!!! LOL)

VINNY GUADAGNINO BRINGS IT AT THE STAND

I went to Vinny’s show truly not knowing what to expect. Many actors and people on TV think they can do stand-up comedy just because they’re used to being on camera. Most of the time it doesn’t work. Stand-up comedy is an art form all unto itself. It does not translate.

VINNY G ON STAGE

WITH VINNY GUADAGNINO

JIAOYING SUMMERS ON STAGE

I was pleasantly surprised. Vinny is funny and I got a chance to tell him so after the show. He had no idea who I was so I don’t know if it meant anything to him, but I like to tell people when I think they’re doing something good. Creative people need to be re-affirmed! Also on the show was Jeffrey Asmus, and Jiaoying Summers who I also saw a couple of nights later at her own show at the Laurie Beechman Theater!

NEW FACES AT THE HARD ROCK

Most of the big industry shows were held at The Hard Rock. Lots of new and not so new fun talent. I walked in when my friend Soo Ra was on stage. Also Natalie Cuomo was a stand-out who’s soon to be married to Dan LaMorte, but the winner of the NY’s Funniest was Jamie Wolf who I picked as well. I just hope he doesn’t seriously injure his neck doing the airline crashing thing! ( Inside joke!)

SOO RA ON STAGE

NATALIE CUOMO ON STAGE

WINNER JAMIE WOLF ON STAGE

J.B. IS DEFINITELY SMOOVE

Hadn’t seen JB Smoove in a while but he’s definitely one of my faves, so when I saw he was going to be at Town Hall I put it on my list of “Must-See” shows, and he definitely brought “the ruckus” as he’s prone to do! This was my final big show I covered at the festival!

I got there early with my assistant Jake Rothwell, and went right up to his dressing room. Backstage at Town Hall is huge and very difficult to navigate. To this day I always find it fascinating to see what goes on backstage. Maybe it’s because most people have no idea what it’s like. His dressing room was full of people and he was reviewing some notes when I came in. I had texted him to let him know I was coming because I don’t like to just show up with no notice.

He greeted me warmly and introduced me to his lovely wife, and then because he was busy prepping, I split to let him get ready, and told him I’d see him afterwards. He does such an entertaining show and the audience really loves him. I told him he brings joy to the stage, which is very special. Lots of people are funny but not everyone brings joy to the stage. We talked about his new game show on Amazon Prime called “Buy It Now” that just launched on Oct. 30th, where entrepreneurs get a chance to pitch their products, and the differences between that and Shark Tank.

We also reminisced about the loss of our mutual friend Richard Lewis, his cast-mate from Curb Your Enthusiasm, and JB’s great book ” The Book of Leon.” I was at the book launch with JB and Fifty Cent!

HAVING A BITE TO EAT WITH JB SMOOVE AT JFL MONTREAL 2010

WITH JB AND FIFTY CENT FOR THE BOOK OF LEON (SEE IF YOU CAN SPOT ME! LOL)

It was so great to see the festival back again! Can’t wait for next year to do it again! That’s it for this column, but the next column is coming soon! If you liked it feel free to let me know at jeffrey@jeffreygurian.com

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! I hope you all have lots to be thankful for!!! Follow me on Instagram at @jeffreygurian and I’ll see you in the clubs!!!

Tags: "Alan Zweibel", "J.B. Smoove", "JB Smoove", "Jersey Shore", "New York Comedy Club", "New York Comedy Festival", "Ricky Velez", "The Beacon Theater", "Town Hall", Chris Distefano, Gilbert Gottfried, Gotham Comedy Club, JFL, Jiaoying Summers, Judd Apatow, Just for Laughs Montreal, Jusy Gold, Ryan Reiss, Sam Morril, Susie Essman, The Stand Comedy Club, Vinny Guadagnino

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COMEDY MATTERS SUPER ISSUE CELEBRATES 25 YEARS, WITH NIKKI GLASER, KEVIN HART, CHRIS DISTEFANO, D.L. HUGHLEY, SETH HERZOG, KRYSTYNA HUTCHINSON, PAUL RUDD, ALEX MOFFAT AND SO MUCH MORE!!!

Posted by Jeffrey Gurian on October 3, 2024

COMEDY MATTERS 25th ANNIVERSARY

It may sound strange, but it wasn’t until I started writing about Seth Herzog’s 20th anniversary of his show Sweet, and acknowledging what an amazing achievment that was that I started wondering how long I’ve been doing Comedy Matters, and realized that I had started it in 1999, which made 2024 it’s 25 year anniversary of covering the comedy scene.

It’s been a few months since my last post and if you read on you’ll see why, so I’m going to briefly fill you in on what’s been going on in NY comedy thru the eyes of Comedy Matters.

TOM BRADY ROAST IS HUGE FOR NIKKI GLASER

Everyone totally crushed on the Tom Brady Roast. Kevin Hart was an amazing host and Roastmaster General Jeffrey Ross added to the hilarity with his never-fail killer jokes. That’s why he’s the Roastmaster General! Tony Hinchcliffe, Andrew Schulz, Tom Segura, Bert Kreischer, every single one of them killed. (Sorry if I left anyone out!!!)

But as a result of Nikki Glaser’s incredible performance roasting Tom at the very non-politically correct Roast on Netflix, she’ll be hosting the 82nd Golden Globes coming up on January 5th on CBS. I remember going to the premiere of the Nikki and Sara Live show on MTV back in 2013, when she had her own show with Sara Schaefer, and it’s so cool to see her reach superstardom. Nikki is a force. Her latest special on HBO, “Some Day You’ll Die” is up for an Emmy. She hosted and Exec. Produced F-Boy Island for three seasons which led to her hosting and Exec. Producing the spin-off “Lovers and Liars.” So major congrats to Nikki!

(L-R) BERT KREISCHER AND TOM SEGURA TEAM UP ON THE BRADY ROAST

WITH SARA SCHAEFER AND NIKKI GLASER AT MTV BACK IN 2013

GROSSINGERS DOC DUE FROM BUNGALOW ENTERTAINMENT AND ATLANTIC OVERSEAS PICTURES

The popularity of the Netflix hit The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel had led to a resurgence of interest in that era, the 1950’s and particularly about what was known as The Borscht Belt which were the incredible hotels in upstate New York like Grossingers, The Concord, The Nevele, The Raleigh and so many more.

Bobby Friedman the head of Bungalow Entertainment is producing a documentary on Grossingers, along with co-Exec.Producer Harris Salomon of Atlantic Overseas Pictures. It features owner Jenny Grossinger who paved the way for powerful women in the entertainment business. Grossingers was one of the best known hotels, that even had it’s own airstrip to fly in the big stars that performed there. I was interviewed for the doc because I was at Grossingers at two different points in my life, … as a kid singing solo in a famous Hebrew choir that sang at the hotels for the High Holidays, and again as an adult writing comedy for many of the big stars that performed there.

My interview was to be held at a comedy club which turned out to be, where else but Chris Mazzilli’s Gotham Comedy Club where so many amazing things take place. Judd Apatow was just there doing a special show about a week ago. The doc is being directed by award winning director Paula Eiselt who interviewed me, with the assistance of Bennett Elliot and Catherine Rierson from Bungalow Entertainment. Can’t wait for it to come out!

WITH AWARD WINNING DIRECTOR PAULA EISELT AT GOTHAM COMEDY CLUB

UCB IS BACK WITH ASSSSCAT BETTER THAN EVER

In a never-ending list of things lost to Covid, UCB was one of them. Fortunately it’s back in a killer new location on 14th Street. Amazingly huge space. I attended the grand opening on Sept. 13th, and was pleasantly surprised to see Sasheer Zamata, Chris Gethard, and Zach Cherry among the improvisers. The host that night was James Austin Johnson from SNL. Improv may not be as reliable in terms of laughter as stand-up, but it may be the hardest thing in the world to do and they totally have my respect!

(L-R) Sasheer Zamata with a shaved head, James Austin Johnson in front and Zach Cherry in the rear with the glasses. Other names unfortunately are unknown to me! Send them in if you know!!!

CELEB PHOTOG MARCUS RUSSELL PRICE PRODUCING SHOWS

Marcus Russell Price is at every major comedy event shooting photos at the request of whoever is headlining the event. And it’s because he’s that good! I will always be indebted to him for shooting the two photos that appear below, at the exact second that I walked through the door at Carnegie Hall to congratulate Nick Kroll on his sold-out show, only to find out that due to Covid, they blocked everyone but me from coming backstage to see Nick, … even his family!

NICK KROLL FILMING ME AS I ENTERED HIS DRESSING ROOM AT CARNEGIE HALL WITH MIKE BERKOWITZ LAUGHING HYSTERICALLY!

MIKE BERKOWITZ REACTING TO SEEING ME ENTER NICK KROLL’S DRESSING ROOM

Nick thought it was so funny that he took out his phone and filmed it for Instagram. The only other person with him was uber-agent to the stars Mike Berkowitz of WME fame who was laughing hysterically at the fact that they didn’t let anyone in but me! When it comes to super agents you would be hard pressed to find a comedy superstar not repped by Mike. To name just a few, … Bill Burr, Hasan Minhaj, Nick Kroll, John Mulaney, Amy Schumer and John Oliver! To see Nick’s reaction when I walked into his dressing room click the link below!

So when I heard that Marcus was actually producing comedy shows at Lincoln Center there was no chance I was not going to attend. I was almost expecting him to perform but he just introduced the evening and each of the comedians. Both shows were great and sold out and I hope he decides to do more this coming year.

(L-R) MARCUS RUSSELL-PRICE, JOEY DARDANO, JORDAN ROCK, ROSEBUD BAKER AND THAT SAME GUY!

NEW YORK COMEDY CLUB TAKES OVER STAND UP NY LOCATION

Emilio Savone and Scott Lindner are killing the game. I think this makes five New York Comedy Club venues, and Emilio always makes sure that I get to attend every special event he does. They totally renovated the old Stand Up NY space on West 78th Street and had a grand opening. I particularly appreciated the huge green room they created downstairs where offices used to be. It’s always nice to have a cool place to hang before going up.

It was a star-studded line-up including two of my faves, Chris Distefano and Corinne Fisher who I absolutely love! Always so glad to see how well she’s doing. Her comedy partner in crime, Krystyna Hutchinson will appear in this column a bit further down. And I just got word as I’m writing this that Chrissy scored a Hulu special! Well deserved Chris!!!

WITH CHRIS DISTEFANO WHO JUST GOT A HULU SPECIAL

WITH CORINNE FISHER

WITH CHRISSY D AND EMILIO

COMEDY TIDBITS

I’m involved in something that could be HUGE thanks to the two guys you see standing with me below. No more can be said, but if it happens it will involve many of my big-time comedy friends so when D.L. Hughley was at Levity Live in Nyack, I made sure to stop off and ask him in person if he would be kind enough to participate. He said I didn’t even have to ask and that of course he’d be involved! A true friend!!!

We reminisced about the time he took me out to dinner to make sure I ate!

I was at Sheba Mason’s show one night at Three Monkeys waiting to go on when I heard them announce a comedian to the stage and I thought maybe I heard wrong. I was pretty sure I heard them say Greg Giraldo Jr. What a nice surprise to find out it was Greg’s son. I’m sure he knew already, but I got to tell him what a great, talented guy his Dad was and afterwards sent him some photos of his Dad and I from back in the day!

WITH GREG GIRALDO JR. A VERY FUNNY YOUNG GUY

We lost a great actor and dear friend Tony LoBianco and at the funeral service at St. Patrick’s I ran into two other old friends, comedy legend Joe Piscopo and radio legend Frank Morano!

WITH TONY LOBIANCO

WITH JOE PISCOPO AND FRANK MORANO

Wound up on one of Victoria Arnstein’s shows with Mae Planert and saw what her husband Mark Normand did to her! (LOL) Such a nice girl! Major congrats to the expecting parents! I keep telling him how great it is to be a Dad!

WITH THE VERY FUNNY MAE PLANERT WHO IS “WITH CHILD” THANKS TO MARK NORMAND!

Got on an AA flight to Minneapolis to be a Keynote Speaker to 500 doctors on Happiness and as I boarded the flight, the main flight attendant yelled out, ” Hey Jeffrey!” Turns out it was Soo Ra a very funny comedian who’s in my new TV pilot “The Raw Side of Comedy.” I knew she was funny but never knew she was also a flight attendant for the past 7 years! I made her take photos on the plane!!!

WITH SOO RA THE COMEDIAN/FLIGHT ATTENDANT

Zeuses Muses an entertainment company hired me to do a show with funny comic Anna Manis at The Red Room above New York Comedy Club’s 4th Street location. It’s like a speakeasy, and it was part of a national tour. Very fun show!

ON STAGE AT THE RED ROOM WITH ANNA MANIS

“A Walk In The Park” the Woody Allen-ish type film I co-starred in with writer/director Noel Leon was chosen as an official selection for the NY Shorts International Film Fest slated to be shown on Oct. 14th, at the Cinema Village Theater, and if I’m lucky I’ll even get to see the final version beforehand! It’s a really sweet film about an unlikely friendship!

xr:d:DAFxoXJb-KY:13,j:2726210195446358814,t:23101918

HOLISTIC COMEDY

Everyone’s heard the saying that laughter is the best medicine. Well because of my double career as a doctor (20 years on the Board of The Assoc. for Spirituality and Psychotherapy, 12 years on staff at NYU in Oral Medicine and Oro-Facial Pain, and 25 years as a Cosmetic Dentist) and an Amazon best-selling author with 8 books, three on Happiness, mindset and changing negative thinking to positive thinking, I’m getting asked to speak at holistic-type events bringing comedy into the mix.

In July I was the Keynote Speaker in Minneapolis at the Minneapolis Convention Center to about 500 doctors and the topic they gave me was ” Surviving A Career in Dentistry Using Positive Thinking and Humor”, and about a week ago I led a weekend workshop at the prestigious Omega Institute for Holistic Studies where Deepak Chopra speaks. Big honor! The topic they gave me was ” Heal Your Heart With Humor.” The middle photo below shows the line going out the door of people wanting to say hi and have me sign a book for them. I guess what I had to say resonated with them! (LOL) ( Humble brag!!!)

To help promote the event I went on WABC radio with my buddy Frank Morano on his hit show “The Other Side of Midnight”, i-Heart Radio with the amazing Xen Sams on her hit show “A Moment of Xen”, and had the honor of being the very first guest on Krystyna Hutchinson’s new podcast “The Voices In Our Heads” in her amazing new studio, and produced by my old pal Mike Coscarelli who’s producing a bunch of podcasts now. Krystyna of course is still doing “Guys We F**ked” with her comedy partner Corinne Fisher!

WITH FRANK MORANO

WITH KRYSTYNA HUTCHINSON IN HER BRAND NEW STUDIO

Even better Krystyna asked me to release her TMJ cause she’s been getting jaw pain from grinding her teeth from stress, and that just happened to be my specialty at NYU.

Got to exchange “best-selling” books with Mick Jagger’s girlfriend Melanie Hamrick and tell her my Mick Jagger story!

SWEET CELEBRATES 20 YEARS

I swear, … this is the last item. I can’t write anymore! Sweet is almost old enough to vote! Seth Herzog has achieved the impossible and kept a comedy show running for two decades. In next month’s column I will do a deep dive into the two shows he did at Chelsea Music Hall with owner Michael Ginsberg, but suffice it to say that both shows were amazing. I’m excited to say I’ll be doing Seth’s Halloween show on Oct. 22nd also at Chelsea Music Hall telling the scary story of my heart attack!

One show was on a Sunday night and the other was on the following Tuesday night. Huge crowds, and interviews were done for an upcoming documentary. Got to re-connect with Michael Ian Black, Todd Barry, who always makes me laugh hard with his sarcastic point of view, Jeaneane Garofalo who opened her set by giving away three pair of pants from a Target bag, and Richard Kind who improvised a song about people in the audience with Seth and Michael Ian Black. Michael and I co-wrote the very first interactive film for Sony back in 1992 called “I’m Your Man.”

In the Tuesday show it was Alex Moffat, Mark Normand, Paul Rudd, Justin Theroux, Richard Kind and more and I got to re-connect with the great Dave Hill who told me he loved my performance in Joe DeRosa’s video “Mouth On My Money”! Dave’s new one man show at the Soho Playhouse is called “Dave Hill-Caveman In A Spaceship”! Gotta see it real soon!!! Those photos in the next column coming very soon!!!

MICHAEL IAN BLACK AND SETH HERZOG

TODD BARRY

JANEANE GAROFOLO AND HER BAG OF PANTS

RICHARD KIND MID-SONG

IF YOU’RE NOT TOO TIRED AFTER READING THIS WHOLE BLOG POST YOU CAN FOLLOW JEFFREY ON INSTAGRAM AT @JEFFREYGURIAN AND ON TICKTOK AT @JEFFREYLGURIAN SEE YOU SOON!!!

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COMEDY MATTERS ROUNDUP WITH BILLY CRYSTAL, JIM GAFFIGAN, BUPKIS, 92NY, HAMPTONS COMEDY, CITY WINERY, GRISLY PEAR AND LOTS MORE!!!

Posted by Jeffrey Gurian on June 4, 2023

BILLY CRYSTAL POINTING TO HIS TEETH AND YOU KNOW WHY!!!

JIM GAFFIGAN’S DREAM WAS TO PLAY SMEE

The 92NY has been absolutely killing it with comedy related events. And luckily for me I get to cover them all! So when I heard that Jim Gaffigan would be interviewed by MTV’s Josh Horowitz, about his co-starring role as Smee, in the new Peter Pan and Wendy movie, I knew I had to attend.

Jim and I go back to his very earliest days in comedy in NY, and I’ve seen him go from one incredibly successful project to the next. I was at the premiere of the sit-com he did with Christine Baranski called “Welcome To New York.” He was also one of the very special interviews I did back in 2008 for my book “Make ‘Em Laugh” on the history of The Comic Strip.

WITH JIM IN 2001

WITH JIM AT THE STRIP-2009- AFTER HIS INTERVIEW FOR MAKE ‘EM LAUGH

WITH JIM AND JEANNIE AT CAROLINES-2015

So after the event at the 92Y I went backstage to congratulate Jim and catch up! I got to show him the cover story about me in Sutton Place Magazine where the first few words say, ” Growing up my idol was Peter Pan”, and Jim told me that growing up he always wanted to be Smee! (I got it on video!) Most kids can’t wait to grow up but I always wanted to stay a kid. My inner child is my best friend!

Jim told me this great story of how he got the part. Years earlier he was in an indie film and one of the producers was James Johnson. Somehow they got to talking about Peter Pan and Jim told James he would make a great Smee! Years later James Johnson was one of the producers on this new Peter Pan film and he remembered what Jim said! #Magic

Jim is playing Smee to Jude Law’s Captain Hook. Smee is Captain Hook’s right hand man, and I told Jim it would be more appropriate if he was his left hand man, since it was his left hand that Hook lost to the crocodile!

Jim was about to set off on a European tour where he was hitting several countries and major cities like Helsinki, Amsterdam, Berlin and Paris, all within about a week and a half, and mostly in countries where he blends right in!!! (LOL)

COMEDY SPOTLIGHT WITH CHRIS MILLHOUSE

I dropped by City Winery which is also killing it with their comedy line-up to see Chris Millhouse’s Comedy Spotlight show with Regina DeCicco hosting and a heavy duty line-up with Mark Normand, Joe List, and Charles McBee in a guaranteed hit show.

CHRIS MILLHOUSE ON STAGE

JOE LIST FAST ASLEEP, MARK NORMAND, CHARLES MCBEE, AND CHRIS MILLHOUSE BACKSTAGE

(L-R) REGINA DECICCO, MARK NORMAND, CHRIS MILLHOUSE, YOURS TRULY AND JOE LIST

Joe List is in the process of editing his new special which will be coming out on You Tube. It’s called Enough for Everyone and he shot it at The Village Underground this past February. Matt Wayne opened for him and you can expect to see it this summer, probably sometime in August!

Regina DeCicco is so used to warming up the audience for The View which is such a huge thing that when I asked her what she had going on she had to think about it for a minute! She’s been doing it since the Fall of 2018, which is nothing like the fall of the Roman Empire, but it just shows you that people get used to everything! No matter how big it is!!!

Charles McBee was waiting for the WGA strike to settle so he can get back to being the head writer and on-air personality for Comedy Central’s Hell of a Week with Charlamagne tha God!

Mark Normand is being repped by UTA, and he and Joe List have been doing their podcast Tuesday with Stories for 10 years now, … and I still haven’t been on! Mostly because they don’t have guests, … but that’s no excuse!!! Mark’s new special Soup to Nuts will be dropping on Netflix on July 25th! Be there!!!

COMEDY AT THE EXPO WAS A BIG HIT

So I’m at this new food market in Chelsea with the weird name of Olly Olly, and this young guy comes over, who turns out to be the manager, and says ” Are you Jeffrey Gurian?” I admit to it and HE admits to being a big fan of what we did on the Black Phillip Show when I was Patrice O’Neal’s co-host.

As the result of that meeting, I got to bring an awesome comedy show to their event space which they refer to as The Expo. It was Aaron Berg, Raanan Hershberg, Drew Dunn, who I met last year up at JFL in Montreal and told him that some day we would be doing something cool together, Andre Kim, and Jeff Arcuri who only has 270,000 followers on Instagram! Poor guy!

(L-R) ANDRE KIM, JEFF ARCURI, YOURS TRULY, RAANAN HERSHBERG, AND DREW DUNN- PHOTO COURTESY OF JEFF SMITH

We had over 100 people in the audience and it was a big success! So much so that we might even do it again.

And to promote the show I went up to Sirius XM studios to be on with Ron and Gail Bennington and joined Bobby Kelly who was also a guest that day, and then I got to do WABC radio with Frank Morano who has the highest rated overnight show on A.M. radio called The Other Side of Midnight with Frank Morano. Frank is one of the best and most knowledgable hosts on the air and it’s always so fun to be on with him. Plus they have an amazing candy room and he lets me take as much as I want!

BOBBY KELLY, GAIL BENNINGTON AND RON BENNINGTON

WITH FRANK MORANO UP AT WABC

What made it even more special was the surprise guest spot from my pal Derek Gaines one of the funniest, and most unpredictable on stage guys in the game! I love seeing Derek in Pete Davidson’s new show Bupkis on Peacock with Joe Pesci playing Pete’s grandfather, and Edie Falco playing his Mom! And Dave Sirus is writing on the show!

WITH MY BUDDY DEREK GAINES

ANTHONY DEVITO’S DAD WAS DEFINITELY NOT DANNY DEVITO

About ten years ago Jordan Rock and I were chosen by Richie Tienken, owner and founder of The Comic Strip, to be the first and only hosts for “late night” where new comics get a chance to perform after the last show. In the early days of the club that could have been 2 or 3 A.M. When we did it it started at 11.

Not just any new comics but new comics who had to pass an audition process and showed major promise.

Anthony Devito was one of those young comics along with comics like Sam Morril, Joe Machi, and Subhah Agarwal, all of whom have gone on to do great things. So I was so glad to be able to see Anthony Devito perform his one man show “Danny Devito Isn’t My Dad” at the Soho Playhouse after debuting it at the 2022 Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland.

The show must be a real catharsis for Anthony because he lost his Dad as an infant of only 7 weeks old and was raised by his Mom who worked very hard to give him the best childhood she could, while keeping the secret of who his Dad really was.

When he reached 18 his Mom finally told him the truth about his Dad. He found out that his Dad had been a hit man for a major crime family and had killed many people in the course of his career. He was even portrayed as one of the main characters in the movie Goodfellas.

Understandably this would be a lot to handle for anyone but because Anthony was blessed with a good sense of humor he was able to turn this into a poignant and funny one man show. I give him a lot of credit for doing so, because it’s a very courageous thing to do to make yourself so vulnerable on stage. Especially when you’re Italian! (LOL) After the show we got to reminisce about the old days at The Strip!

WITH ANTHONY DEVITO AT THE SOHO PLAYHOUSE

STICKS AND STONES WILL MAKE YOU LAUGH

Kudos to producer/filmmaker and now comedy club owner Abby Russell who’s opening a new comedy club in Southhampton later this month on June 30th. It’s called Sticks and Stones and it’s located in the Southampton Cultural Center. Abby will be doing this with comedy club producer Lynn Kaplan, a veteran comedy and TV executive, who worked with both Louis C.K. and Conan Oâ€™Brien.

Opening weekend will feature national headliner Carmen Lynch and my buddy Jordan Rock who can also be seen in Pete Davidson’s new show “Bupkis.” And as I’m writing this I just got the news that I will also be on both shows with headliner Jordan Rock on Saturday July 1st.

WITH MY PAL JORDAN ROCK

Abby and I go back more than 20 years to when she produced the original Hamptons Comedy Festival back in 2000 and brought me in as a co-producer. It was the fund-raising arm for Comedy Fights Cancer and it was a big success.

I remember being interviewed by none other than Countess LuAnn De Lesseps of RHONY fame who in those days, pre-RHONY, was doing interviews for a local TV network. I think it was for Plum TV!

In more recent years Abby and I worked together again when she produced the documentary film on the legendary comedy club The Comic Strip. At the time I was working on the book, and I was also a producer on the film. It was called “Eat, Drink and Laugh” and we debuted it at the Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal. I went up with owner/founder Richie Tienken and at the premiere were some of the comics who came out of The Strip and went on to become big stars like George Wallace, Judy Gold, Paul Provenza and Robert Wuhl!

(L-R) BRENT STERLING-NEMETZ, ABBY RUSSELL, JUDY GOLD, PAUL PROVENZA, RICHIE TIENKEN, YOURS TRULY, AND IN THE BACK GEORGE WALLACE AND ROBERT WUHL.

There hasn’t been a comedy club in The Hamptons since the 80’s when famed comedy manager Rick Messina was then running the East End Comedy Club. And Judd Apatow’s Mom Tami actually worked as a hostess at the club. Judd was only 14 and got to hang out there and meet a lot of the comedians he loved.

Abby moved back from LA to raise her daughter Aria on the East coast, and to be near her family, and now lives in the Hamptons full time.

It was actually Aria who chose the name Sticks and Stones and it was seconded by Eddie Brill who will be performing at the club one weekend as well. The club will present national headliners year round but will also be producing comedy, special events, and wellness programming as well. I’ve been offered to participate and perform and truthfully I can not wait to do so!!!

CHANEL OMARI BRINGS LAUGHS FOR CITY HARVEST

Kenny Warren and Gabe Dorado, the powers behind The Grisly Pear both downtown and the new space in midtown had worked really hard to make The Grisly Pear the success that it is, which is why I was pretty surprised to learn that they’re no longer involved. I had performed in the downtown club many times which they made very comic-friendly by covering the walls with posters of each comic that performed there.

I hadn’t had the opportunity to perform in this new club on West 54th Street until comic/producer/host of the popular “Chanel In The City” podcast on iHeart Radio, (which is about the only podcast I have not been on yet! LOL) and former reality TV star Chanel Omari invited me to perform in a fundraiser for City Harvest, a charity that provides food for the poor and homeless.

Chanel opened the show, and arranged for a great line-up including my pal Josh Adam Meyers, the creator of Goddam Comedy Jam, Natalie Cuomo who I was so glad to finally get to meet in person, Che Durena, who I had been hearing so much about, Shaun Murphy and Jeff Quintana.

Josh Adam Meyers had some exciting news to share. He’ll be touring with musical superstar Jelly Roll, hosting his shows in 44 arenas across the country from July 28th to Oct. 15th. It came about when Jelly Roll saw him performing at Skank Fest in Las Vegas and said he never saw anyone combining music and comedy the way Josh does. They were on stage performing together, and I’m pretty sure he told me that Shane Gillis and Big Jay Oakerson were performing as well. A classic example of being in the right place at the right time.

INTERVIEWING JOSH ADAM MEYERS AT THE LAS VEGAS COMEDY FESTIVAL

I was glad to finally meet Natalie Cuomo, not only because she’s funny, but because she’s engaged to my buddy Dan Lamorte and between them they have enough tattoos to open an art museum and give tours of their bodies! (LOL) They often work the road together! And they both got signed to APA this very week.

WITH CHANEL OMARI

(L-R) NATALIE CUOMO, THAT SAMEGUY, CHANEL OMARI

JOSH ADAM MEYERS, CHANEL OMARI AND THAT SAME GUY AGAIN!

It was a packed room, everybody killed and I wound up going up right after Chanel ably warmed up the crowd. She’s there on the regular and I’m looking forward to coming back!

BILLY CRYSTAL IS MR. EVERY NIGHT

My history with Billy Crystal goes back to the 80’s when the legendary comedy manager Jack Rollins, who managed Woody Allen and produced all his films, and was managing Robin Williams and Billy at the time brought me down to his office to meet Billy who he thought should play me in a sit-com about a dentist who wanted to be in show biz.

Billy was too busy at the time so I suggested a new comic I had seen named Paul Reiser who I thought would be perfect. I called Paul and asked his permission and he said “Sure” but almost immediately he got a huge role in what I recall to be the film “Diner.”

Billy was the first comic to hit the stage on June 1, 1976 when The Comic Strip opened and he’s in my book “Make ‘Em Laugh”. The photo above where he’s pointing to his teeth is because he remembered how we met!

When The Friars dedicated the ground floor bar to Billy as The Billy Crystal Bar I was there and took this photo of Billy, with Catch a Rising Star owner Rick Newman and Richard Belzer both of whom left us in recent months, only one day apart!!!

(L-R) RICK NEWMAN, BILLY CRYSTAL, AND RICHARD BELZER AT THE FRIARS CLUB

I never got to see Mr. Saturday Night, Billy’s Broadway masterpiece so when the 92NY notified me of an event where it was being shown in it’s entirety as a musical, where Billy was being interviewed by Bette Midler, even though I HATE musicals I knew I had to attend.

I hate musicals because it always seemed weird to me that right in the middle of some piece of business happening in the story suddenly everybody starts singing and they all know the words. It take me out of it.

But in this case Billy was so good as was his cast of characters that I totally enjoyed it. And in the production he referenced so many people I knew, as well as during the interview with Bette Midler.

He talked about Robin Williams being like his brother, especially after they did HBO’s Comic Relief together in 1986, ( I was there!), and he said they both had problems sleeping and would often call each other at 2 A.M. for long talks. He also said that when he did “Scat” which is a jazz thing you do with your voice, it was an homage to Sid Caesar who had a great talent for making believe he spoke many languages.

He said that over the 8 years of doing Comic Relief they raised over 72 million dollars for the homeless. We could sure use another Comic Relief right now!

Billy is also a master impressionist and did impressions of Mohammed Ali, Howard Cosell. Robert Deniro and Joe Pesci!

And he said that in the classic scene in “When Harry Met Sally” , when Rob Reiner’s mother Estelle uttered the classic line ” I’ll have what she’s having” the room exploded with laughter and he and Rob wound up holding hands! Funny what people remember!

I know for me I will never forget this!

TAKEN IN BILLY’S OFFICE IN BEVERLY HILLS

And now it’s time for me to go because if this column gets any longer it will no longer be just a column but a book! (LOL) Hope to see you in the clubs! Please feel free to leave comments and to contact me at jeffrey@jeffreygurian.com

Tags: "Comedy Matters TV", Billy Crystal, Comedy Matters, Jeffrey Gurian

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