Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn

"Tough Crowd" redirects here. For the book by Graham Linehan, see Tough Crowd: How I Made and Lost a Career in Comedy.

Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn is a comedy talk show that aired on Comedy Central from December 9, 2002 to November 4, 2004. The show featured host Colin Quinn and a panel of comedian guests, discussing politics, current events, and social issues.

Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn
Genre	Comedy, Talk Show
Created by	Colin Quinn
Starring	Colin Quinn Nick Di Paolo Greg Giraldo Judy Gold Jim Norton Patrice O'Neal Keith Robinson Rich Vos
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
No. of episodes	200+
Production
Executive producers	Colin Quinn Liz Stanton Ken Ober
Running time	21 minutes
Original release
Network	Comedy Central
Release	December 9, 2002 (2002-12-09) – November 4, 2004 (2004-11-04)

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. The show only lasted for three episodes. Each of these three episodes aired on successive Mondays from March 11, 2002 to March 25, 2002.

Although NBC canceled 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.^[1] 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.^[2]

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, but sometimes three or five. Quinn would introduce current events and moderate the discussion, which would take up most of the episode. 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.

Regular guests

The show featured many different comedians, including well-known comics such as George Carlin and Jerry Seinfeld and Kevin Hart, but the core group that was regularly rotated into the show's panels and often paired together was:

• Nick DiPaolo
• Greg Giraldo
• Jim Norton
• Patrice O'Neal
• Rich Vos
• Keith Robinson
• Judy Gold

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; featuring Doug Bell
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 March 24, 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 4, 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 (such as The New York Times) 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.