Issue 16 March/April 2005 twodrinkmin.com $3.95($4.99 CAN) Rockstars of Comedy \ NY Comedians Coalition Remembering Johnny \ Masters of Merch CONTENTS 14 ������������������ Comedian Ryan Riess, 2DM Publicity Director Editorial Director Julie Seabaugh Rich Vos Spotlight on... Ryan McCormick and Colin Quinn and Colin Quinn 14. Rockstars of Comedy Throw your Super Fingers in the air and wave ‘em like you just don’t care as Two Drink Minimum gets its mosh on with the current crop of rockin’ comics. 22. Birth of a Salesman Tenacity? Check. Talent? Perhaps. But a gimmicky t-shirt? No performer worth their custom message board should hit the road without one. 30. The New York Comedians Colin Quinn Th e Lengendary Joe Franklin Rich Vos Coalition Money. Stage time. Comics. Owners. A-Listers. Barkers. Questions. Answers. The defi nitive exploration of the divisive issues at the historic undertaking’s center. Cover illustration by Edgar Sanchez 22 2DM Columnist Jim Mendrinos Leighann Lord Host Mike Siscoe On Jan. 26, Two Drink Minimum celebrated its print launch with a show at New York City’s Laugh Lounge. Th e comedic marathon included sets from 2DM Columnist Jim Mendrinos, Steve Hofstetter, Leighann Lord and Colin Quinn, who spent his set skewering the likes of Greg Giraldo, Jim Norton, Patrice O’Neal and even fellow performer Rich Vos, who purchased a brand- new Prada shirt as well as a pair of jeans off of eBay especially for the occasion. Steve Hofstetter Jamie Kahnis Photos by Allison Breen March/April 2005 Two Drink Minimum 1 CONTENTS 4. Heckles YAAY!!! Two Drink Minimum has got mail!!! Devoted readers – not to mention a few apathetic Editorial Director ones – respond with feedback on our previous Julie Seabaugh issues. Art Director 5. Parting Shots Dan Tylkowski For three decades, Johnny Carson took unknown comedians and turned them into stars. Though Designer he’s no longer “Heeere,” he will never be forgotten. Laura Konrad Copy Editor 6. Opening Lines Marijane Leonard News on Jamie Foxx, Todd Lynn, George Carlin, Laurie Kilmartin, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Gallagher, Eating It, Chappelle’s Show News Editor and more. Tasha A. Harris Columnist 11. Lineup Jim Mendrinos Here’s what’s coming up and going down in the world of comedy these next two months, all packaged in one easy-to-use, calendarial form! Contributing Writers Michael Balla, Brian Baumley, Emily Epstein, Tasha A. 12. Riffing with... Harris, Conor Hogan, Ryan ��������������� Former lawyer and chronic sitcom developer Greg ��� Giraldo sends shout-outs to Colin Quinn, Geraldo McCormick, Lisa Panzariello, Rivera and his homeboy Jesus. Don Sill Staff Photographer 34. Double Takes Seth Wenig Reviews of Rodney Dangerfield, Ant, Ben Bailey, Please send all correspondence and review materials to: Jim Gaffigan, Todd Barry, Bobby Mitchell, The Julie Seabaugh, Editorial Director Marijuana-Logues and The Next Big Thing. Illustrators Two Drink Minimum Rafael Hernandez, Tara 66-42 Fresh Pond Rd. Lopez, Paul Rubison, Carlos Box 1011 40. The Joel Sinclair Show Ruiz, Edgar Sanchez Two comics by Carlos Ruiz chronical the life of Ridgewood, NY 11385 Joel Sinclair, L.A.’s hottest sit-down standup. Advertising Director E-mail: [email protected] Lauren Giunta Web: www.twodrinkmin.com 42. Monologue [email protected] Columnist Jim Mendrinos remembers the sitcom greats, plus he gets all Dr. Phil on our asses To subscribe, visit www.twodrinkmin.com or send a check Publicity Director or money order for $19.95 (one year/six issues) to the above to answer questions about relationships and Ryan McCormick realizing personal potentials. address. [email protected] An Instant Gratification Publication 44. Closer Jim Carrey and Jamie Foxx are latecomers: Carol Burnett was one of the first to explore comedy vs. © 2005 Instant Gratification Publications drama. An illustration by Paul Rubison. Two Drink Minimum Magazine is published bi-monthly by Instant Gratification Publications. Reproduction in whole or in part without prior written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited. 2 Two Drink Minimum March/April 2005 March/April 2005 Two Drink Minimum 3 Heckles Parting Shot: Johnny CarsoN I picked up a copy of your magazine at the Cellar last night! Congratulations – it looks great! The article about the Arab Comedy Festival is great as well. Thanks so much for covering it; we are sincerely honored to be included in the magazine. We will update our press clippings on our comedy fest website to include it. Best wishes for even more success. Dean Obeidallah I saw the magazine for the first time last night and I must say I was impressed; it really looks good. I received my magazine yesterday. It is Congrats. really glossy and pretty. Maybe that is not the Ben Bailey correct word; how about “eye-catching?” I haven’t had time to really read it yet. Actually, I remember when you were just it will probably be in my travel bag next week a little Uproar, and now you’re a big when we go to Mississsippi for a [hot] rod Illustration by Paul Rubison Two Drink Minimum going to print. run. That is when I do all my journal and Congrats and good luck. magazine reading when I can’t keep up, which Bobby Mitchell has been the modus operandi lately. I love seeing your name at the top of the he comedy world lost its patriarch when My name is Matt Welch, amateur personnel column. I am very proud of you. Tformer Tonight Show host Johnny Carson comedian. And when I say “amateur Who is this Rich Vos who uses the F-word passed away at his California home on Jan. 23 What was ultimately revealed comedian,” dude, I ain’t lying. Last three times in a two-sentence tirade? Do all due to complications from emphysema. He when Carson had a comic on was show I did, the only applause I got these people talk like that? Are their brains so was 79. the joy he experienced when seeing was when I left the stage. So yeah, I small they can’t be funny without those kinds Carson, who retired in 1992, spent his last someone who was funny. He didn’t just wanted to say that I think your of words? And that is my tirade for the day! few years in relative seclusion, a stark contrast engage in one-upmanship, although magazine, Two Drink Minimum, is a Anyway, congratulations on your launch. I to the time he spent behind the Tonight Show he had the ability and skill to do so really good idea. I think it rocks that hope you are a huge success. desk as possibly the most-recognized man on if he wanted. Instead, he would set you want to help all up-and-coming Editorial Director Julie Seabaugh’s Aunt Jane television. it up so a comic could knock it out comics! Much has been written about his humble of the park. The result was a career- Keep on rocking! Oh, and I was so start, roots in magic and pioneering efforts making vehicle that has never been glad to hear that my hero Richard during the early days of television. There are replicated on television. One good Pryor was voted the best stand-up also volumes on the common-man image spot on Carson, and a star was born. comic ever [Comedy Central’s 100 that made everyone who sat on his couch Carson’s cool delivery and pointed Greatest Standups of All Time]; he comfortable. What must also be talked about is sense of humor were throwbacks completely deserves it!!! the fact that for three decades in television, the to his idol, Jack Benny. He could get Matt Welch Two Drink Minimum welcomes feedback gold standard of success for a stand-up comic laughs with the simplest look on his England from our readers. Please send all comments was doing well on Carson’s stage. very expressive face. He was and is to [email protected] with the Carson was generous when it came to the driving force in American comedy, subject line “Heckles,” or write to: comedians. He could take an unknown such as and his contributions will reverberate Julie Seabaugh, Editorial Director Freddie Prinze, Steve Martin or David Letterman, for many years to come. Two Drink Minimum and just by flashing an “Okay” sign or making a - Jim Mendrinos 66-42 Fresh Pond Rd. “Funny stuff” comment at the end of the set, he Box 1011 could – and did – anoint that performer into the Ridgewood, NY 11385 fraternity of great comedians: Carson Comics. Include your name, e-mail address, city and state. Messages may be edited for clarity. 4 Two Drink Minimum March/April 2005 March/April 2005 Two Drink Minimum 5 Opening LInes ON A (HONOR) ROLL: Oscar favorite Jamie Foxx won his first Golden Globe, for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy, for his portrayal of musical legend Ray Charles After a holiday-sales boost, the first three seasons of in the biopic Ray. He was also nominated for Best Supporting Actor Seinfeld became the highest-selling TV series DVD of all for Collateral and Best Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries for time with four million units sold, beating out Chappelle’s Redemption. Robin Williams received the Cecil B. DeMille Award for Show: Season One Uncensored, which took the honors Outstanding Contribution to Entertainment at the same ceremony. from The Simpsons: The Complete First Season last year. The cast of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart’s bestseller, America Bernie Mac (The Bernie Mac Show) (the Book): A Citizen’s Guide to Democracy Inaction was named and the cast of Everybody Loves Book of the Year by Publishers Weekly.