O68 You’ve been on TV (SNL and Comedy Central), movies (Trainwreck and Grown-Ups) and Broadway with your own show. Did you always see yourself in the entertainment business and which do you prefer, stand-up
or acting?
CQ I’ve been drawn to stand-up since I first began. I’ve always loved making people laugh and with stand-up, there’s the instant gratification of getting the laugh right away. The growth as a performer comes from getting up there night after night – every show can be a different experience.
O68 How has the stand-up comedy world changed since you first started?
CQ I think it has both evolved and devolved. The path now is somewhat easier. Because of social media, you are the industry, there’s no gatekeeper so – for better or for worse – you can get your material directly out to the public.
O68 In this age where people always seem to be worried about saying things that aren’t politically correct, are there any comedy topics that you personally feel are off-limits?
CQ No, I think all topics can and should be discussed. I think people need to remember that this is the entertainment industry – we are comedians, not politicians or policy makers. If someone doesn’t like what a comedian is saying, they need to keep it in perspective and remember we’re here to entertain and make you laugh. We’re not leading the charge or changing the world with our jokes.
O68 What’s your writing process – do you have writing/comedy colleagues that you collaborate with? What do you think makes good comedy?
CQ No, it’s a pretty solitary experience for me. I think it’s important to keep your material protected. The only way to test it out is in front of an audience. I think good comedy is talking about a topic that people are familiar with, but you make them look at it in a completely new way. Also, there’s a difference between a telling a funny story and doing stand-up. In stand-up comedy, you need that ending, that punchline to define it.
O68 What can people expect from your Colin Quinn: Live show on April 12th at the Ridgefield Playhouse? Bonus question – is it true that you hate sourdough bread?
CQ Obviously, people can expect to laugh. There’s a lot of commentary on social media and how it is negatively affecting society. And yes, I can’t stand sourdough. I was having this delicious meal in San Francisco and the only bread they offered was sourdough – ruined the meal. I’m still mad about that and it was 37 years ago. •
