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.
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.