"Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn" (2002) TV series 2002-2004

Director:

Scott Preston

Writers:

Bruce Cherry (writer)
Nick DiPaolo (writer)

Seasons:

1 | unknown

Release Date:

9 December 2002 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Talk-Show

Tagline:

Comedians with issues.

Plot:

A nightly series in which Quinn and 4 featured comedians tackle social, political, and pop culture issues.

Plot Keywords:

Comedian | Race Relations | Racial Slur | Politics | Irish American

Cast

Amir Darvish	...	Rasheed / ... (2 episodes, 2003-2004)
Jim Florentine	...	Himself (2 episodes, 2003-2004)
Dean Alai	...	Best Case Scenario Guy (2 episodes, 2003)
Antonio D. Charity	...	Nigerian Man / ... (2 episodes, 2003)
Andres du Bouchet	...	Intellectual Actor / ... (2 episodes, 2004)

Runtime:

USA:30 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Trivia:

The show had a unique, two week, eight episode test run from 9- 19 December 2002 on Comedy Central. It was then picked up by the network in January 2003, and began its full 21 week run on 10 March 2003.

Quotes:

[discussing the "What Would Jesus Drive?" commercials]
Jim Norton: Well, I don't know what type of car he'd drive, but I do know that he'd drive an automatic because I'd imagine it's really hard to change gears when you've got holes in your hands.

Movie Connections:

Follows "The Colin Quinn Show" (2002)

Real...

I never liked Colin Quinn, neither on SNL nor in any of his other roles. However, I do very much enjoy 'Tough Crowd'. I think the appealing force of the show was the real comedians and their real exchanges, and the sense of real friends coming together to discuss and ridicule the issues of the day. Real friends, not the hackneyed cardboard cutouts you find on the show 'Friends'. If a fictional sitcom analogy has to be made, then it is more along the lines of 'Cheers'.

I believe this show has little in common with 'Politically Incorrect', although many make the comparison. That program was primarily politically focused, not focused on comedy. 'Tough Crowd' on the other hand, was focused on comedy. Some have made claims about the show being a failed conservative mouth piece, or not a liberal showpiece like P.I., but I watch this type of television for comedy and entertainment, not political advocacy. I happen to believe in freedom, and not leftist socialism or rightist authoritarianism, and I supported neither Bush nor Kerry, but I enjoyed the show regardless, because I enjoyed it on its merits, and did not let political ideology permeate all aspects of my life and prejudice my enjoyment of the program.