It was a fun night at the Comedy Cellar at 117 MacDougal Street in New York City on Tuesday. You may know this comedy club from the television show “Louie†and from the way it looks outside, there is really not all to brag about. It is what it looks like, a huge beaming sign that is plastered over a basement, as you go down the stairs. After the first look at the many autographed pictures of the famous comics who performed there, you feel a certain type of energy and anticipation that you know laughter will come your way. As you are seated at your table though, it is a bit uncomfortable, due to minimal space. This is the only negative part of the place. As the show begins however, and the comics do their bits, you quickly start to appreciate the talents they provide as well as the cozy setup that a comedy club should be; you feel right at home.
The first comedian who took to the stage on Tuesday was Lenny Marcus. Known from his previous gigs at the Great American Comedy Festival, the Montreal Comedy festivals, and MTV, his style of comedy is simple. His delivery could have been better, as he seemed a bit out of rhythm at first, but then settled in and caught the crowd. Marcus drew many laughs with his bits about his ugly nephew, the weird people who take the bus and how boring the Jewish new year is.
The next comedian who performed was a very funny man, Nick Griffin. He is known for his appearances on the David Letterman show, and Half Hour Comedy Presents. Griffin’s personality is what makes him so likeable. His style of comedy portrays him to be a loner with a miserable life. His bits about women, dating, and the need to sleep was what drew him to the crowd and made him stand out. His joke about how men are wimps if they cry and how they try to hold back their tears and curse while they cry was hysterical. Overall, Griffin’s performance was great.
Next in line was Dave Attell, who was the star of Comedy Central’s Insomniac, he’s also appeared on Dave Letterman, IFC’s , Z ROCK, and Tough Crowd. Attell, from start to finish, was hilarious. The crowd couldn’t stop laughing from the moment he stepped on stage until he got off. What was so funny about his performance was that he went on several rants mostly involving women, tiaras and the Jewish New Year. What makes Attell so great is he says it how it is and holds nothing back.
Marina Franklin was the next performer. She is known from her works as the comedy correspondent on the Jay Leno Show, Last Comic Standing, Tough Crowd and The Chapelle Show. Franklin had a solid performance as she drew many laughs. Her bits about her weight, her Caucasian boyfriend and her cat were absolutely hilarious; her up beat and smooth sense of humor is what makes her great and really seems to connect with the crowd.
Other than his loud attire that has Champion of The World written all over it, Judah Friedlander, known from 30 Rock, drew many laughs with his blunt style of Comedy, as he used his witty humor to steal the crowd. His bit involved several audience members in which he asked them for questions, while he shared his take on what issues need to be resolved in the world, if he was president, was creative. It showed why he is on top of his game.
Garry Gulman , a 6 foot 6 Jewish comedian, known for his work on Dane Cooks Tourgasm, Dave Letterman, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and Last Comic Standing was next. Gulman’s delivery was extremely hilarious. His impression of his mom was classic, as he nails down the Jewish accent. In the end, his performance was outstanding.
The final performer of the night was a comedian by the name of Godfrey, known from his appearances on Louie, 30 Rock, The movie Soul Plane, Zoolander, NBC’s 3rd watch and IT factor. Godfrey’s performance had you laughing so hard you were either in tears, or out of breath. Although he lost the crowd at times due to his long performance, his bits were creative and in a league all by themselves. His impersonations were spot on as he mimicked Samuel L. Jackson, Jason Stratham, and Denzel Washington. He also impersonated people with British accents as well. His performance was excellent; however it went on way too long. If he would’ve cut out a few bits it would have been a perfect performance. But overall it was very solid.
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