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Tales From A Thousand And One Stand-Up Shows

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You could say that most of the live comedy done by young performers in cities around the United States is just one big feeder system for Saturday Night Live, which launched a new season this weekend.

It was an easy bit to miss, but one of the new cast members offered up a brilliant bit on Weekend Update when he played a hack comedian named Bruce Chandler inexplicably invited to offer analysis about the president of Iran. Chandler steered all of Seth Meyers questions back to tired observations about the difference between New York  and L.A, and then fell quiet, let his shoulders slump and confessed, "It ain't an easy business .You get used to people saying no a lot."  Just as abruptly, he righted himself and went back to his stale jokes.  
 

But for a few seconds, Mooney offered huge reveal of the energy that goes into comedy -- even bad comedy -- and the grinding despair behind it. Today, our annual Fall Comedy Special.
 

GUESTS:

  • Jason Zinoman - Comedy Critic for the New York Times, and author of "Searching for Dave Chappelle." 
  • Sammy Obeid? - Comedian who recently completed 1,001 consecutive nights of standup.
  • Colin Mochire - Improv Comic
  • Brad Sherwood - Improv Comic

Leave your comments below, email colin@wnpr.org or tweet us @wnprcolin.

Colin McEnroe is a radio host, newspaper columnist, magazine writer, author, playwright, lecturer, moderator, college instructor and occasional singer. Colin can be reached at colin@ctpublic.org.
Chion Wolf is the host of Audacious with Chion Wolf on Connecticut Public.
Betsy started as an intern at WNPR in 2011 after earning a Master's Degree in American and Museum Studies from Trinity College. She served as the Senior Producer for 'The Colin McEnroe Show' for several years before stepping down in 2021 and returning to her previous career as a registered nurse. She still produces shows with Colin and the team when her schedule allows.
Patrick Skahill is a reporter and digital editor at Connecticut Public. Prior to becoming a reporter, he was the founding producer of Connecticut Public Radio's The Colin McEnroe Show, which began in 2009. Patrick's reporting has appeared on NPR's Morning Edition, Here & Now, and All Things Considered. He has also reported for the Marketplace Morning Report. He can be reached at pskahill@ctpublic.org.

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