Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn
Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn is a comedic talk show which aired on Comedy Central from 2002 to 2004. The show featured host Colin Quinn and a panel of comedian guests, discussing politics, current events, and social issues.
Show history and format
In 2002, comedian Colin Quinn was given his own show on NBC, titled The Colin Quinn Show, which was broadcast live from the Saturday Night Live soundstage in New York City. There were three 30-minute episodes, which aired on Mondays at same., from March 11, 2002 to March 25, 2002. Although NBC chose not to continue with the show, Quinn took a similarly-themed show to Comedy Central later on that year. On December 9, 2002, Tough Crowd With Colin Quinn debuted on Comedy Central with an eight-episode test series, which ran Mondays through Thursdays, until December 19, 2002. The show was picked up in January 2003, and the regular series began its 21-week run on March 10, 2003. The show aired weeknights at 11:30 p.m. ET, immediately following The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.The show was presented as an alternative, unpolished and more accessible political "round-table" discussion/shouting-match program in the manner of CNN's Crossfire, taking cue from Bill Maher's Politically Incorrect. The guests on the panel were usually comedians who had been given topics in advance on which to prepare material. Quinn's regular guests consisted mainly of Comedy Central affiliated comedians from the Comedy Cellar comedy club in New York City. The club was renowned for its postperformance roundtable discussions with comedians in the audience about political issues. These exchanges were the inspiration for Tough Crowd.
The show would open with a monologue by Quinn. Quinn would then stand in front of a pool table, or sit on the edge of it, very often sipping coffee, eating or perusing through a newspaper. Usually, there were four comedians as guests, however, in some episodes there were five comedians, and on very rare occasions, only three comedians. On the episodes which featured five comedians, four of them would be seated in chairs, as was the normal fashion, while the fifth comedian would sit off to the side, on a bench. Whenever one of the four in the chairs told a joke that didn't get a laugh, Quinn would banish that comedian over to the bench, and replace him with the person who was previously on the bench. Quinn would introduce current events that were going on in the news, and would moderate the discussion. Most of the show was the comedians discussing these topics. Near the end of each episode, there was usually a sketch of some sort, followed by each of the guests doing a brief monologue on a particular topic that was discussed earlier in the episode.
Many of the comedians were also close friends, and mutually making fun of each other was a large part of the show. Part of Quinn's highly unusual approach was not to edit out jokes which fell flat, often leading to uncomfortable pauses, which were enjoyed by fans of the Cringe comedy style, but which may have appeared awkward to the mainstream television audience. Quinn also reprimanded guests who attempted to gain cheap applause from the audience. For example, if a comedian made a general blanket statement which wasn't particularly funny, but elicited applause nonetheless, Quinn would berate the comedian for being sanctimonious and pandering. One of the show's running jokes, which occurred in numerous episodes, was that at some point, one of the comedians would insult Quinn over what he was wearing. Very often, the comedians would also insult each other over clothing choices, hairstyles or weight issues. Said Quinn of Tough Crowd's comparisons to Politically Incorrect: "It was a role model for our show. But on my show, we’re all comedians. No experts. We’re not as high-minded. If we don’t agree with someone, we just make fun of their shirt."
The show featured comedians with all ranges of political viewpoints, be they liberal,, conservative,, or moderate,. Tough Crowd did well in the ratings and gained a loyal following; however, Quinn was forced to battle network executives over content issues. The show was placed on an "indefinite hiatus" in October 2004, with what was presumably its final episode airing the Thursday following Election Day in 2004. DiPaolo, Norton and other Tough Crowd alums now make semi-regular appearances on Fox News' Red Eye with Greg Gutfeld, which is a similarly-themed comedic panel show, albeit with a predominantly conservative angle.
Regular guests
The show featured many different comedians, including legends such as George Carlin and Jerry Seinfeld, but the core group that was regularly rotated into the show's panels and often paired together was:On September 26, 2003, Comedy Central aired an hour-long Tough Crowd themed stand-up comedy special called Tough Crowd Stands Up hosted by Quinn and featuring stand-up sets from the show's 5 regulars: DiPaolo, Giraldo, Norton, O'Neal, and Vos.
Episodes
- Some episodes and guest lineups are missing, and many specific dates are unknown.
| Panel | Notes |
| Nick DiPaolo, Greg Giraldo, Jim Norton, Keith Robinson | aired December 9, 2002; 1st of 8 test episodes |
| Greg Giraldo, Caroline Rhea, Rich Vos | aired December 16, 2002; 5th of 8 test episodes |
| Jim David, Nick DiPaolo, Patrice O'Neal, Sarah Silverman | aired December 17, 2002; 6th of 8 test episodes |
| Greg Giraldo, Jim Norton, Sarah Silverman, Jerry Seinfeld | aired in 2002; test episode |
| Sue Costello, Nick DiPaolo, Greg Giraldo, Keith Robinson | aired March 10, 2003; 1st official episode |
| Nick DiPaolo, Janeane Garofalo, Jim Norton, T. Sean Shannon | aired March 11, 2003 |
| Nick DiPaolo, Greg Giraldo, Judy Gold, Kevin Hart | aired March 12, 2003 |
| Nick DiPaolo, Marc Maron, Jim Norton, Sarah Silverman | aired March 13, 2003 |
| Greg Giraldo, Judy Gold, Eddie Izzard, Chris Rock | aired April 1, 2003 |
| Ellen Cleghorn, Nick DiPaolo, Jim Norton, Jon Stewart | aired April 10, 2003 |
| Tough Cuts, Volume 1 | aired May 26, 2003; compilation of memorable moments from the show |
| George Carlin, Nick DiPaolo, Greg Giraldo, Jim Norton | aired June 27, 2003 |
| Tough Cuts, Volume 2 | aired July 21, 2003; compilation of memorable moments from the show |
| Nick DiPaolo, Dom Irrera, Carole Montgomery, Scott Thompson | aired July 23, 2003; featuring Godfrey |
| Ray Garvey, Greg Giraldo, Jim Norton, William Stephenson | aired July 24, 2003 |
| Greg Giraldo, Dom Irrera, Ed Lover, Patrice O'Neal | aired October 29, 2003 |
| Louis C.K., Dom Irrera, Marc Maron, Ken Ober | aired October 30, 2003; featuring Jerry Seinfeld |
| Pat Cooper, Greg Giraldo, Allan Havey, Patrice O'Neal | aired April 28, 2003 |
| Nick DiPaolo, Paul Mooney, Jim Norton, Keith Robinson | aired April 29, 2003; featuring Illeana Douglas |
| Greg Giraldo, Judy Gold, Graham Norton, Rich Vos | aired April 30, 2003 |
| Ross Bennett, Nick DiPaolo, Todd Glass, Rich Francese | aired in November 2003 |
| Lewis Black, Ardie Fuqua, Greg Giraldo, Matt Walsh | aired November 19, 2003; featuring Nick DiPaolo |
| Dov Davidoff, Lea Delaria, Jim Norton, Patrice O'Neal | aired November 20, 2003 |
| Bobby Collins, Sherry Davey, Bobby Slayton, Doug Stanhope | aired in 2003 |
| Kerri Louise, Howie Mandel, Jim Norton, Robert Schimmel | aired in 2003 |
| Nick DiPaolo, Hood, D.L. Hughley, Jim Norton | aired March 24, 2003 |
| Jeff Foxworthy, Greg Giraldo, Patrice O'Neal, George Wallace | aired in 2003 |
| Lewis Black, Bill Burr, Greg Giraldo, Keith Robinson | aired April 22, 2003 |
| Jim Norton, Ken Ober, Patrice O'Neal, Rich Vos | aired April 23, 2003; featuring Nick DiPaolo |
| Nick DiPaolo, Hugh Fink, Greg Giraldo, Macio | aired April 24, 2003 |
| Nick DiPaolo, Jamie Kennedy, Carlos Mencia, Patton Oswalt | aired in 2003 |
| Lewis Black, Greg Giraldo, Dom Irrera, Patrice O'Neal | aired in 2003 |
| Maria Bamford, Jim David, Jim Norton, Scott Thompson | aired November 5, 2003 |
| Greg Giraldo, Todd Lynn, Andrew Maxwell, Patrice O'Neal | aired in 2003 |
| Dave Attell, Lewis Black, Stephen Colbert, Nick DiPaolo | aired in 2003; featuring Jim Norton, Patrice O'Neal, Keith Robinson |
| Greg Giraldo, Jake Johanssen, Lynne Koplitz, Jim Norton | aired in 2003 |
| D.C. Benny, Greg Proops, Keith Robinson, Alexandra Wentworth | aired in December 2003; featuring Greg Giraldo and Modi Rosenfeld |
| Nick DiPaolo, Ray Garvey, Macio, Greg Proops | aired in December 2003; featuring Keith Robinson and Rich Vos |
| Nick DiPaolo, Greg Giraldo, Artie Lange, Lizz Winstead | aired in December 2003; featuring Judy Gold, Jim Norton, Keith Robinson |
| Nick DiPaolo, Hugh Fink, Greg Giraldo, Wanda Sykes | |
| Bob Golub, Cory Kahaney, Greg Proops, Rich Vos | |
| Bill Burr, Nick DiPaolo, Keith Robinson, George Wallace | |
| Dave Attell, Lewis Black, Greg Giraldo, Jim Norton | |
| Sue Costello, Nick DiPaolo, Greg Giraldo, Patrice O'Neal | |
| Nick DiPaolo, Judy Gold, Brian Posehn, Kevin Robinson | aired April 2004 |
| Lenny Clarke, Sue Costello, Greg Giraldo, Denis Leary | aired May 7, 2003 |
| Greg Giraldo, Laura Kightlinger, Jimmy Kimmel, Todd Lynn | |
| Todd Barry, Nick DiPaolo, Jim Norton, Keith Robinson | aired in 2003 |
| Greg Giraldo, Dom Irrera, Keith Robinson, Sarah Silverman | |
| Nick DiPaolo, Judy Gold, Colette Hawley, Sue Murphy | |
| Kevin Meaney, Patrice O'Neal, Gregg Rogell, Rudy Rush | aired May 20, 2003 |
| Dave Attell, Laurie Kilmartin, Jim Norton, Keith Robinson | |
| Greg Giraldo, Cory Kahaney, Maurice, Rich Vos | aired June 2003; featuring Dante Nero, Jim Norton, Keith Robinson |
| Pat Cooper, Pete Correale, Patrice O'Neal, Tom Papa | aired June 2003 |
| Greer Barnes, Stephen Colbert, Greg Giraldo, Jim Norton | aired July 2, 2003; featuring Keith Robinson and Rich Vos |
| Louis C.K., Nick DiPaolo, Paul Mecurio, Keith Robinson | aired August 2004 |
| Flex Alexander, Kevin Hart, Dante Nero, Patrice O'Neal | featuring Jim Norton and Keith Robinson |
| Sunda Croonquist, David Cross, Greg Giraldo, Jim Norton | aired August 2003 |
| Greg Giraldo, Vic Henley, Robert Klein, Keith Robinson | |
| David Alan Grier, Rich Hall, George Wallace, Lizz Winstead | featuring Sarah Silverman |
| Greg Fitzsimmons, Greg Giraldo, Laurie Kilmartin, Patrice O'Neal | |
| Greg Giraldo, Bonnie McFarlane, Jim Norton, Keith Robinson | |
| Dave Chappelle, Nick DiPaolo, Greg Fitzsimmons, Judy Gold | |
| Nick DiPaolo, Greg Giraldo, Judy Gold, Patrice O'Neal | |
| Sue Costello, Greg Giraldo, Keith Robinson, Rich Vos | |
| Sue Costello, Nick DiPaolo, Greg Giraldo, Reggie McFadden | |
| Jim David, Greg Giraldo, Jim Norton, Patrice O'Neal | |
| Jim Norton, Patrice O'Neal, Greg Proops, Jimmy Shubert | |
| Wayne Federman, Greg Giraldo, Kathy Griffin, Scott Thompson | featuring Jim Norton |
| John DiResta, Judy Gold, Ralphie May, Keith Robinson | |
| Pat Cooper, Mitch Fatel, Greg Giraldo, Keith Robinson | |
| Nick Gaza, Judy Gold, Jim Norton, Patrice O'Neal | aired September 2004 |
| Greg Giraldo, Todd Lynn, Greg Proops, Keith Robinson | |
| Richard Jeni, Lisa Lampanelli, Patrice O'Neal, Rich Vos | |
| Nick DiPaolo, Don Gavin, Steve Sweeney, Jimmy Tingle | featuring Keith Robinson |
| Greg Giraldo, Jim Norton, Donnell Rawlings, Keith Robinson | |
| Ben Bailey, Ty Barnett, Nick DiPaolo, Keith Robinson | |
| Todd Barry, Vinnie Brand, Greg Giraldo, Jim Norton | |
| Nick DiPaolo, John Mendoza, Patrice O'Neal, T. Sean Shannon | |
| Dave Attell, Greg Giraldo, Robert Kelly, Patrice O'Neal | |
| Marc Maron, Patrice O'Neal, Barry Weintraub, Alexandra Wentworth | |
| Jim David, Robert Klein, Patrice O'Neal, Tom Papa | |
| Kevin Brennan, Nick DiPaolo, David Feldman, Jim Norton | |
| Dane Cook, Robert Kelly, Howie Mandel, Patrice O'Neal | |
| Bruce Bruce, Greg Giraldo, Keith Robinson, Tim Young | |
| Vinnie Brand, Jim Norton, Patrice O'Neal, Gregg Proops | |
| John Joseph, Jim Norton, Dina Pearlman, Keith Robinson | |
| Judy Gold, Drew Hastings, Laurie Kilmartin, Jim Norton | |
| Goumba Johnny, Patrice O'Neal, Dat Phan, Rich Vos | aired December 2003 |
| Greg Giraldo, Judy Gold, Todd Lynn, Patrice O'Neal | |
| Eddie Brill, Jackie Kashian, Keith Robinson, Rich Vos | aired September 15, 2003 |
| Louis CK, Laura Dinnebeil, Rick Shapiro, Dan Vitale | |
| Becky Donohue, Judah Friedlander, Greg Giraldo, Keith Robinson | aired November 2003 |
| Laurie Kilmartin, Lynne Koplitz, Keith Robinson, Gregg Rogell | |
| Judy Gold, Dave Mordal, Jim Norton, Joe Rogan | aired September 22, 2003 |
| Nick DiPaolo, Todd Glass, Jimmy Martinez, Keith Robinson | aired September 23, 2003; featuring Jim Norton and Keith Robinson |
| Richard Belzer, Greg Giraldo, Rene Hicks, James Smith | aired September 24, 2003 |
| Ian Bagg, Bill Burr, Patrice O'Neal, Gregg Proops | aired July 2003 |
| Greg Giraldo, Todd Glass, Patrice O'Neal, Paul F. Tompkins | |
| Adam Ferrara, Greg Giraldo, Jim Norton, Patrice O'Neal | |
| Greg Giraldo, Ralphie May, Patrice O'Neal, Jeffrey Ross | |
| Sue Costello, Jim Norton, Patrice O'Neal, Pauly Shore | |
| Susie Essman, Jeff Garlin, Rich Hall, Patrice O'Neal | aired January 19, 2004 |
| Kevin Hart, Robert Kelly, John Marshall, Patrice O'Neal | aired October 6, 2004 |
| Nick DiPaolo, Adam Ferrara, Denis Leary, Patrice O'Neal | |
| Mario Cantone, Doctor Dré, Greg Giraldo, Kevin Meaney | |
| Jim David, Vanessa Hollingshead, Jim Norton, Rich Vos | |
| Judy Gold, Jake Johannsen, Andy Kindler, Louis Ramey | aired June 2003 |
| Nick DiPaolo, Marc Maron, Pete Tubbs, Rich Vos | |
| Sherry Davey, Nick DiPaolo, Graham Norton, Gregg Proops | |
| Rick Crom, Dom Irrera, Jim Norton, Keith Robinson | |
| Jim Norton, Ben Stein, ?, ? | |
| Mike Britt, Jim Norton, Patrice O'Neal | |
| Pat Cooper, Kevin Hart, Todd Lynn, Keith Robinson | featuring Nick DiPaolo and Michael Olajide |
| Franklyn Ajaye, Greg Giraldo, Kathy Griffin, Jim Norton | aired November 10, 2003 |
| Nick DiPaolo, Judy Gold, Patrice O'Neal, Keith Robinson | aired November 11, 2003; 100th episode; featuring Rich Vos |
| Andrew Dice Clay, Jim Florentine, Rich Vos, Lizz Winstead | aired November 12, 2003; 101st episode |
| Jim David, Robert Kelly, Jimmy Martinez, Bernadette Pauley | aired November 13, 2003; 102nd episode; featuring Jim Norton |
| Nick DiPaolo, Greg Giraldo, Mo Rocca, T. Sean Shannon | - |
| Susie Essman, Jim Gaffigan, Greg Giraldo, Judy Gold | |
| Nick DiPaolo, Colette Hawley, Keith Robinson, George Wallace | aired October 27, 2003 |
| Marc Maron, Jim Norton, Rich Vos, Mishna Wolff | aired October 28, 2003; featuring Steve Schirripa |
| Ellen Cleghorne, Dane Cook, Nick DiPaolo, Jay Mohr | aired June 18, 2003 |
| Rich Francese, Kathleen Madigan, Jim Norton, Tony Woods | |
| Nick DiPaolo, Scott Thompson, Jim David, Greg Giraldo | aired August 18, 2003 |
| Tough Cuts, Volume 3 | aired January 6, 2004; compilation of memorable moments from the show |
| Judy Gold, Hood, Dan Naturman, Patrice O'Neal | aired in 2004; featuring Jim Norton |
| Nick DiPaolo, Greg Giraldo, Lynne Koplitz, Todd Lynn | aired in 2004 |
| Buddy Bolton, Nick DiPaolo, Greg Giraldo, Lynne Koplitz, Todd Lynn | aired in 2004 |
| Marc Maron, Jim Norton, Keith Robinson, Rich Vos | aired in 2004 |
| Sue Costello, Robert Kelly, Patrice O'Neal, Keith Robinson | aired in 2004; featuring Rich Vos |
| Louis C.K., Paul Mecurio, Graham Norton, Rich Vos | aired in 2004 |
| Jim David, Marc Maron, Patton Oswalt, Rich Vos | aired in 2004 |
| Ross Bennett, Sue Murphy, Jim Norton, Keith Robinson, Hal Sparks | aired in June 2004 |
| Nick DiPaolo, Patrice O'Neal, Fran Solomita, Tony V | aired in 2004 |
| Dave Attell, Louis C.K., Nick DiPaolo, Jim Norton | aired August 25, 2004 |
| Drew Fraser, Cory Kahaney, Kathleen Madigan, Ralphie May | aired in 2004; featuring Nick DiPaolo, Patrice O'Neal, and Michael Walker |
| Greg Giraldo, Judy Gold, Maz Jobrani, Tony V | aired April 12, 2004 |
| Mark Ebner, Greg Fitzsimmons, Cory Kahaney, Keith Robinson | aired April 13, 2004 |
| Nick DiPaolo, Ralphie May, Jim Norton, Jeffrey Ross | aired April 14, 2004 |
| Marc Maron, Jim Norton, Patton Oswalt, Rich Vos | aired April 26, 2004 |
| Pat Cooper, Leighann Lord, Patrice O'Neal, Frankie Pace | aired April 27, 2004; featuring Rich Vos |
| Dave Attell, Greg Behrendt, Greg Giraldo, Tom Papa | aired April 28, 2004 |
| Jim David, Nick DiPaolo, David Feldman, Lynne Koplitz | aired April 29, 2004 |
| Ted Alexandro, Judy Gold, Jim Norton, T. Sean Shannon | aired May 3, 2004; featuring Nick DiPaolo and Greg Giraldo |
| Mike Britt, Pete Correale, Greg Giraldo, Keith Robinson | aired May 4, 2004 |
| Ellen Cleghorne, Nick DiPaolo, Jim Florentine, Penn Jillette | aired May 5, 2004 |
| Tony Camin, Dov Davidoff, Robert Kelly, Patrice O'Neal | aired May 6, 2004 |
| Tough Cuts, Volume 4 | aired May 31, 2004; compilation of memorable moments from the show |
| Nick DiPaolo, Robert Kelly, Patrice O'Neal, Tom Papa, Mike Sweeney | aired June 2, 2004 |
| Ellen Cleghorne, D.L. Hughley, Keith Robinson, Sheryl Underwood | aired June 3, 2004 |
| Jim Florentine, Marc Maron, Carrot Top, Rich Vos | aired June 8, 2004; featuring Jim Norton and Keith Robinson |
| Nick DiPaolo, Susie Essman, Jim Norton, Patrice O'Neal | aired June 9, 2004 |
| Judy Gold, Marc Maron, Graham Norton, Keith Robinson | aired June 10, 2004 |
| Jim Gaffigan, Greg Giraldo, Jim Norton, Frank Santorelli | aired June 14, 2004 |
| Lewis Black, Nick DiPaolo, Bonnie McFarlane, Rich Vos | aired June 15, 2004 |
| Greg Giraldo, Kyle Grooms, Todd Lynn, Jim Norton | aired in 2004 |
| Jeff Cesario, Pat Cooper, Nick DiPaolo, Keith Robinson | aired in 2004 |
| Judy Gold, Chris Murphy, Jim Norton, Keith Robinson | aired in 2004; featuring Rich Vos |
| Nick DiPaolo, Greg Giraldo, Laurie Kilmartin, Al Lubel | aired in 2004 |
| Nick DiPaolo, Greg Giraldo, Scott Thompson, Alexandra Wentworth | aired June 7, 2004 |
| Jim David, Nick DiPaolo, Kevin Hart, Barry Weintraub | aired in 2004 |
| Judy Gold, Kevin Hart, Keith Robinson, Frank Vignola | aired in 2004; featuring Jim Norton |
| Rich Francese, Lynne Koplitz, Patrice O'Neal, Jim Mendrinos | aired in 2004 |
| Marc Maron, Jackie Mason, Jim Norton, Patrice O'Neal | aired March 17, 2004 |
| Steve Byrne, Lenny Clarke, Judy Gold, Jimmy Tingle | aired March 18, 2004 |
| Omid Djalili, Graham Norton, Jim Norton, Patrice O'Neal | aired in February 4th, 2004; featuring Nick DiPaolo |
| Greg Giraldo, Bernadette Pauley, Keith Robinson, Jimmy Shubert | aired in 2004 |
| Karen Bergreen, Marc Maron, Patrice O'Neal, Rich Vos | aired in 2004 |
| D.C. Benny, Laurie Kilmartin, Marc Maron, Patrice O'Neal, Keith Robinson | aired December 13, 2004 |
| Lenny Clarke, Kevin Hart, Jim Norton, Patrice O'Neal | aired July 22, 2004 |
| Ross Bennett, Nick DiPaolo, Greg Giraldo, Rick Shapiro | aired in 2004 |
| Greg Giraldo, Lynne Koplitz, Todd Lynn, Jim Norton | aired in 2004 |
| Nick DiPaolo, Marc Maron, Tim Meadows, Sheryl Underwood | aired September 1, 2004; featuring Patrice O'Neal |
| Tom Cotter, John Fugelsang, Lynne Koplitz, Patrice O'Neal | aired September 2, 2004; featuring Nick DiPaolo |
| Nick DiPaolo, Greg Giraldo, Jim Norton, Patrice O'Neal, Rich Vos | aired July 28, 2004; 200th episode |
| Dave Attell, Greg Giraldo, Judy Gold, Kevin Hart | aired November 1, 2004 |
| Jim David, Nick DiPaolo, Marc Maron, Rich Vos | aired November 3, 2004 |
| Nick DiPaolo, Greg Giraldo, Jim Norton, Patrice O'Neal, Keith Robinson | final episode; aired November 4, 2004 |
Series finale and epilogue
Jim Norton addressed the program's demise on his blog, where he mentioned that Comedy Central would send down notes to the show discouraging the predominant focus on political topics and discussions about race and ethnic issues. The network claimed this was only because they already had scripted/talk programming that addressed these issues, referring to The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and Chappelle's Show, and warned that some of the views expressed on Tough Crowd did not appeal to the demographics at which Comedy Central's current business model was aimed.The last show contained emotional monologues by Quinn, who attacked his detractors as being hypocritical and elitist for their negative reviews. He also defined "comedic integrity" as the ability to critique the hypocrisy of society, but to be honest enough to admit that you are just as guilty of it as anyone else. The implication was that many political comedians spend all their time criticizing society and others, but rarely themselves.