1 00:00:01,120 --> 00:00:10,959 Speaker 1: Podcastling Gown. Hi, my name is John Tobin from John 2 00:00:10,960 --> 00:00:14,400 Speaker 1: Tobe Presents and Laugh Boston and several comedy clubs around 3 00:00:14,400 --> 00:00:17,720 Speaker 1: Massachusetts and the rest of the country, and I'm taking 4 00:00:17,720 --> 00:00:21,720 Speaker 1: a walk with Buzznight. Welcome to Taking a Walk, an 5 00:00:21,800 --> 00:00:25,640 Speaker 1: excursion to converse, connects, and catch up at a cool 6 00:00:25,680 --> 00:00:28,760 Speaker 1: location with some of the most interesting people you can find. 7 00:00:29,520 --> 00:00:33,320 Speaker 1: Here's Buzznight. I'm so excited on this edition of Taking 8 00:00:33,320 --> 00:00:36,680 Speaker 1: a Walk to be in the glorious Boston Seaport area, 9 00:00:37,159 --> 00:00:41,880 Speaker 1: a wildly cool and active place that was way different 10 00:00:42,120 --> 00:00:45,400 Speaker 1: back in the early nineties when my guest was working 11 00:00:45,479 --> 00:00:49,040 Speaker 1: away in this area. His name is John Tobin, former 12 00:00:49,120 --> 00:00:53,080 Speaker 1: Boston City councilor. He's currently Vice president of City and 13 00:00:53,120 --> 00:00:57,360 Speaker 1: Community Engagement at Northeastern. But he's also a man with 14 00:00:57,480 --> 00:01:02,960 Speaker 1: a passion and history for radio and comedy. He's part 15 00:01:03,000 --> 00:01:06,280 Speaker 1: of the ongoing history of comedy in Boston and his 16 00:01:06,480 --> 00:01:11,160 Speaker 1: John Tobin Presents is a live comedy production company that 17 00:01:11,360 --> 00:01:15,840 Speaker 1: produces and operates comedy shows in and around Boston and 18 00:01:16,160 --> 00:01:20,440 Speaker 1: all over the country too, including Laugh Boston. Let's go 19 00:01:20,560 --> 00:01:25,760 Speaker 1: take a walk with John Tobin. John, it is so 20 00:01:25,920 --> 00:01:29,040 Speaker 1: great to see you, to be taking a walk, JT. 21 00:01:29,200 --> 00:01:32,040 Speaker 1: Can I call you j T? Called a lot worse? 22 00:01:32,160 --> 00:01:40,200 Speaker 1: What else have you been called? Les? Never buy potential 23 00:01:40,240 --> 00:01:44,399 Speaker 1: prom dates? There you go, Well, thanks for taking a walk. 24 00:01:44,440 --> 00:01:46,800 Speaker 1: So set the scene where we're taking a walk here, 25 00:01:46,840 --> 00:01:49,360 Speaker 1: because I know there's a little bit of history for you, 26 00:01:49,520 --> 00:01:52,520 Speaker 1: and it kind of winds into how you got where 27 00:01:52,520 --> 00:01:57,240 Speaker 1: you are. Yeah, we're on the concourse in between Deanna 28 00:01:57,320 --> 00:02:01,040 Speaker 1: Channel here on the Boston Habor across from the Teapot Museum. 29 00:02:01,760 --> 00:02:05,480 Speaker 1: Did you say Harper? I think I did. Yes, He'll 30 00:02:05,520 --> 00:02:07,680 Speaker 1: never leave. And then that's Trovay widen get it. Never 31 00:02:07,680 --> 00:02:10,840 Speaker 1: got a job in broadcasting leading up to the mottin 32 00:02:10,919 --> 00:02:14,680 Speaker 1: Richard Park and the children Museum over here, which I 33 00:02:14,720 --> 00:02:16,720 Speaker 1: was a member of when I first opened My Family 34 00:02:17,040 --> 00:02:20,680 Speaker 1: and next to us it's not there anymore, was a 35 00:02:20,680 --> 00:02:23,840 Speaker 1: boat called light It was a restaurant called Lightships, and 36 00:02:24,240 --> 00:02:26,880 Speaker 1: it had two floors, and on the bottom floor Dick 37 00:02:26,960 --> 00:02:30,800 Speaker 1: Daugherty who had had his you know problem but you know, 38 00:02:30,880 --> 00:02:33,840 Speaker 1: legendary comic obviously in Boston Cape Cod in the sixties 39 00:02:33,880 --> 00:02:38,359 Speaker 1: and seventies. He had had a tough eighties and made 40 00:02:38,360 --> 00:02:41,760 Speaker 1: a recovery and started open up comedy club. So he 41 00:02:41,880 --> 00:02:45,160 Speaker 1: came in to do Maddie Siegal show on Kiss. Went 42 00:02:45,200 --> 00:02:48,880 Speaker 1: to wait and my job was in addition to playing, 43 00:02:51,000 --> 00:02:53,919 Speaker 1: the music came up of satellite from Los Angeles, the 44 00:02:54,000 --> 00:02:56,680 Speaker 1: Music of Life, fourteen thirty big band music. Oh my god, 45 00:02:56,880 --> 00:03:01,600 Speaker 1: Oh my god. I get in there full midwork, midnight 46 00:03:01,639 --> 00:03:04,720 Speaker 1: to six of midnight to eight am. And after the 47 00:03:04,760 --> 00:03:09,400 Speaker 1: fourteenth Tommy Dorsey song came on, I was luggage and 48 00:03:10,200 --> 00:03:12,560 Speaker 1: I need the woo. Ginsburg was my boss, and he 49 00:03:12,800 --> 00:03:15,120 Speaker 1: surely there after relieve me of my duties. But I 50 00:03:15,160 --> 00:03:17,239 Speaker 1: had a great time there, and I had to open 51 00:03:17,280 --> 00:03:19,120 Speaker 1: the door for guests coming onto Maddie show if I 52 00:03:19,160 --> 00:03:21,520 Speaker 1: was doing the front desk, and I'd sit in the 53 00:03:21,600 --> 00:03:24,239 Speaker 1: with the jocks overnight in the in the like Lisa 54 00:03:24,240 --> 00:03:27,519 Speaker 1: Lips was. She was a sweetheart, and she was relegated 55 00:03:27,600 --> 00:03:34,960 Speaker 1: to overnights and Ed McMahon and JJ Wright, Kid David 56 00:03:34,960 --> 00:03:37,600 Speaker 1: and just hang out there and they'll and sit and 57 00:03:37,600 --> 00:03:41,840 Speaker 1: talk with him. Vinnie Peruzzi what names. Yeah, And I 58 00:03:41,880 --> 00:03:43,280 Speaker 1: just felt like I was a pot of like I 59 00:03:43,360 --> 00:03:46,680 Speaker 1: just had been just parachuted into into my radio, into 60 00:03:46,680 --> 00:03:49,760 Speaker 1: my own radio. I'm working, I'm here with legends, so 61 00:03:49,920 --> 00:03:51,880 Speaker 1: I don't open the door for all Maddie's guests, and 62 00:03:52,480 --> 00:03:54,440 Speaker 1: Dick Darty came in to be on Maddie Show to 63 00:03:54,480 --> 00:03:56,400 Speaker 1: talk about his new comedy club he's opening up. So 64 00:03:56,400 --> 00:04:00,480 Speaker 1: I just introduced myself to him. I loved comedy, and 65 00:04:00,600 --> 00:04:02,080 Speaker 1: I said, my parents to go see you all the 66 00:04:02,080 --> 00:04:06,720 Speaker 1: time when they were dating, first married. And of course 67 00:04:07,360 --> 00:04:09,560 Speaker 1: now I realized someone who was older. When someone says, oh, 68 00:04:09,600 --> 00:04:11,520 Speaker 1: my parents hung around with you, I'm like, man, I'm 69 00:04:11,520 --> 00:04:15,320 Speaker 1: really old. Dick said, how would you like to work 70 00:04:15,320 --> 00:04:19,719 Speaker 1: in my club? And I said, yeah, in a heartbeat, 71 00:04:19,760 --> 00:04:24,200 Speaker 1: I'd worked there, and Hank Mosse was he got me 72 00:04:24,240 --> 00:04:26,960 Speaker 1: the job. It kiss and then Hank and I ended 73 00:04:27,040 --> 00:04:29,880 Speaker 1: up working here at Light Chips on the Boat, and 74 00:04:29,920 --> 00:04:33,320 Speaker 1: I was, you know, the's a first time I saw 75 00:04:33,400 --> 00:04:36,120 Speaker 1: live comedy was in nineteen eighty six, my junior year, 76 00:04:36,120 --> 00:04:40,320 Speaker 1: a Catholic memorial at Nick's Comedy Stop, and it was 77 00:04:40,480 --> 00:04:46,080 Speaker 1: Kevin Knox, DJ Hazard and Don Gavin who we grew 78 00:04:46,160 --> 00:04:48,279 Speaker 1: up on the same street in West Roxbury. But I 79 00:04:48,279 --> 00:04:50,880 Speaker 1: didn't know him, but I knew he was a legend already, 80 00:04:51,600 --> 00:04:56,240 Speaker 1: and it was and Steve Sweeney came off the street 81 00:04:56,880 --> 00:04:59,360 Speaker 1: and did a guest set and me and my buddy 82 00:04:59,400 --> 00:05:01,440 Speaker 1: Gary Day, who was still one of my best friends 83 00:05:01,440 --> 00:05:04,680 Speaker 1: of this day. We love comedy. We have never forgotten 84 00:05:04,680 --> 00:05:07,320 Speaker 1: that night and that changed us forever, just to see 85 00:05:07,320 --> 00:05:11,360 Speaker 1: that live in front of you know, these I mean 86 00:05:11,640 --> 00:05:14,640 Speaker 1: these mad men just making people. I've never laughed so 87 00:05:14,680 --> 00:05:18,360 Speaker 1: hard before my life, and so Gary and I every 88 00:05:18,480 --> 00:05:21,240 Speaker 1: date for the next four years we'd go to Knix 89 00:05:21,320 --> 00:05:24,520 Speaker 1: Comedy Stop. We'd cut We'd take you know, two girls 90 00:05:24,520 --> 00:05:26,599 Speaker 1: to Knicks Comedy Stop, the be four of us, and 91 00:05:26,680 --> 00:05:29,200 Speaker 1: we'd before that, we'd cut the four do all off 92 00:05:29,279 --> 00:05:33,600 Speaker 1: coupons off in the Herald, and the girls that going 93 00:05:33,600 --> 00:05:34,840 Speaker 1: to the desk we say, well, no, we'll go. I said, 94 00:05:34,880 --> 00:05:36,560 Speaker 1: no, no no, you you ladies wait here. We didn't want 95 00:05:36,760 --> 00:05:39,279 Speaker 1: them to see us that we were getting reduced prices 96 00:05:39,279 --> 00:05:41,560 Speaker 1: with the coupons so we could afford, you know, the 97 00:05:41,560 --> 00:05:44,720 Speaker 1: two dollars beers that we're in there, right, So it 98 00:05:44,800 --> 00:05:46,359 Speaker 1: was like every first day you've really got to know 99 00:05:46,440 --> 00:05:49,360 Speaker 1: somebody as opposed to a movie, you got really got 100 00:05:49,400 --> 00:05:51,280 Speaker 1: to know what their likes were and dislikes were, from 101 00:05:51,320 --> 00:05:55,479 Speaker 1: watching a from watching a comedy show. The bug bit you, 102 00:05:56,279 --> 00:05:58,560 Speaker 1: Oh yeah, I mean I was My father would My 103 00:05:58,600 --> 00:06:01,720 Speaker 1: parents would always encourage me to watch comedy. You know, 104 00:06:01,720 --> 00:06:05,600 Speaker 1: I'd watch Mash with my father. I mean every single episode, 105 00:06:05,680 --> 00:06:10,040 Speaker 1: probably fifteen times. Are your parents still alive? My dad 106 00:06:10,080 --> 00:06:14,080 Speaker 1: passed away six years ago. My mom's still alive. But 107 00:06:14,160 --> 00:06:16,680 Speaker 1: they would always they'd always encourage you. Like they had 108 00:06:16,680 --> 00:06:18,480 Speaker 1: a Steve Martin album. They used to have parties down 109 00:06:18,480 --> 00:06:22,240 Speaker 1: in the converted garage with Shay competing, you know, these 110 00:06:22,279 --> 00:06:25,000 Speaker 1: seventies parties with people, And because I wasn't allowed to 111 00:06:25,040 --> 00:06:28,240 Speaker 1: be up there, did they have the Red Fox party records? 112 00:06:28,320 --> 00:06:32,360 Speaker 1: They had? Red Fox they had, they had Steve Martin 113 00:06:33,080 --> 00:06:34,480 Speaker 1: was the one that you know, but I wasn't allowed 114 00:06:34,520 --> 00:06:36,760 Speaker 1: to listen to because swears on them. Yeah, that was 115 00:06:36,800 --> 00:06:38,599 Speaker 1: what I was going to explain. Yeah, the Red Fox 116 00:06:38,680 --> 00:06:42,200 Speaker 1: party records for those listening, you know, maybe those that 117 00:06:42,279 --> 00:06:45,920 Speaker 1: are Czechoslovakian audience. As an example, Red Fox was this 118 00:06:46,960 --> 00:06:51,760 Speaker 1: filthy African American comedian and he put these records out 119 00:06:51,800 --> 00:06:54,599 Speaker 1: that pretty much laid everything out there. They were like 120 00:06:54,640 --> 00:06:58,680 Speaker 1: dirty secrets that were done underground, weren't they They really were. 121 00:06:58,880 --> 00:07:00,640 Speaker 1: And you know, he was a leg into at the 122 00:07:00,680 --> 00:07:02,760 Speaker 1: comedy store, and every time I go to the comedy 123 00:07:02,760 --> 00:07:05,719 Speaker 1: He's Red Fox is one of the four Neon faces 124 00:07:05,720 --> 00:07:07,719 Speaker 1: in the Comedy Store, in the main room at the 125 00:07:07,760 --> 00:07:10,680 Speaker 1: Comedy Store. And in a lot of ways he was 126 00:07:11,040 --> 00:07:15,040 Speaker 1: He was kind of like he had this persona on television, 127 00:07:15,120 --> 00:07:19,600 Speaker 1: but this I mean dirty, filthy but funny off you know, 128 00:07:19,840 --> 00:07:22,560 Speaker 1: on stage at a private club, kind of like you know, 129 00:07:22,880 --> 00:07:26,760 Speaker 1: the recently deceased Bob Saggot. Sagot you know, is a 130 00:07:26,800 --> 00:07:30,920 Speaker 1: you know, dad persona. And then he'd make you going 131 00:07:30,960 --> 00:07:32,320 Speaker 1: to see him at a comedy club, you'd make you 132 00:07:32,320 --> 00:07:35,600 Speaker 1: a hair curl. You had Bob at your club a 133 00:07:35,600 --> 00:07:39,280 Speaker 1: few times, didn't you. I never did produce Bob Sagga show. 134 00:07:39,280 --> 00:07:42,800 Speaker 1: I met him a few times, just a just in passing, 135 00:07:42,960 --> 00:07:45,720 Speaker 1: really good person. In fact, I just had a couple 136 00:07:45,760 --> 00:07:47,600 Speaker 1: of comedians in at lat Boston who are really good 137 00:07:47,600 --> 00:07:51,040 Speaker 1: friends with him, and uh and you were telling great 138 00:07:51,080 --> 00:07:55,880 Speaker 1: stories about him and his generosity and just really had 139 00:07:56,200 --> 00:07:59,200 Speaker 1: friends wherever he went. But made time for people, not 140 00:07:59,280 --> 00:08:02,080 Speaker 1: a diva quality about him. He actually liked being famous. 141 00:08:02,520 --> 00:08:06,200 Speaker 1: He enjoyed that his death touched a lot of people, 142 00:08:06,320 --> 00:08:10,160 Speaker 1: obviously because of the suddenness of it, for sure, and 143 00:08:11,040 --> 00:08:13,120 Speaker 1: you know, all the joy that he brought to so 144 00:08:13,200 --> 00:08:15,280 Speaker 1: many people, right, Yeah, he brought a lot of and 145 00:08:15,280 --> 00:08:17,000 Speaker 1: that's he brought a lot of joy to people. That's 146 00:08:17,240 --> 00:08:19,560 Speaker 1: to me, that's what comedians do, is they bring joy 147 00:08:19,600 --> 00:08:22,119 Speaker 1: to people. You think about going to a comedy club 148 00:08:22,120 --> 00:08:26,240 Speaker 1: and he got a tough job. Maybe you get a 149 00:08:26,280 --> 00:08:30,200 Speaker 1: tough family situation, maybe a medical issue, kids are bothering you. 150 00:08:31,040 --> 00:08:33,640 Speaker 1: But you go out and you just you watch this 151 00:08:33,679 --> 00:08:36,839 Speaker 1: comic on stage and they make your problems go away 152 00:08:36,880 --> 00:08:38,800 Speaker 1: for an hour and a half two hours? Is that 153 00:08:38,880 --> 00:08:41,679 Speaker 1: amazing thing? Now? Were your parents funny or are you 154 00:08:41,679 --> 00:08:44,560 Speaker 1: your mom still a lot? Yeah? They were in different ways. 155 00:08:44,559 --> 00:08:47,640 Speaker 1: My father was really on the on the construction site, 156 00:08:47,760 --> 00:08:51,920 Speaker 1: was really the prank guy, and you know, but he 157 00:08:51,960 --> 00:08:54,080 Speaker 1: could back himself. He was a big guy. I'm not 158 00:08:56,000 --> 00:08:57,880 Speaker 1: my mother, but that was my as a little kid. 159 00:08:58,240 --> 00:09:00,880 Speaker 1: My mother is ten years old younger than my father. 160 00:09:02,360 --> 00:09:04,360 Speaker 1: She loved puns and so we do the pun thing 161 00:09:04,400 --> 00:09:06,880 Speaker 1: back and forth and you know, go. But I was, 162 00:09:06,960 --> 00:09:09,480 Speaker 1: I was. I was born in August thirty first, so 163 00:09:09,559 --> 00:09:13,880 Speaker 1: I made my grade by literally fourteen hours. My mother 164 00:09:13,920 --> 00:09:15,840 Speaker 1: always wished he kept me back because every grade I 165 00:09:15,920 --> 00:09:18,079 Speaker 1: was in until I was a senior in high school, 166 00:09:18,080 --> 00:09:21,720 Speaker 1: I was the smallest, the shortest, the tiniest. So my 167 00:09:21,800 --> 00:09:26,080 Speaker 1: defense mechanism against bullies and people was humor. Was fending 168 00:09:26,120 --> 00:09:29,240 Speaker 1: him off with jokes and humor. You know, most oft 169 00:09:29,240 --> 00:09:32,839 Speaker 1: the time that worked, but sometimes it didn't work, but 170 00:09:33,480 --> 00:09:35,320 Speaker 1: I used it. That was kind of my that was 171 00:09:35,320 --> 00:09:38,000 Speaker 1: my defense thing. So back to the ship. So did 172 00:09:38,000 --> 00:09:40,199 Speaker 1: you do the door at the ship? I did the door. 173 00:09:40,920 --> 00:09:44,400 Speaker 1: I sat people, and then a couple weeks in, Dick 174 00:09:44,480 --> 00:09:47,199 Speaker 1: calls me up. He says, I'd like you to start 175 00:09:47,200 --> 00:09:51,240 Speaker 1: introducing the comics. Okay, what And so it was a 176 00:09:51,240 --> 00:09:53,360 Speaker 1: Saturday night. It's gonna be my first night inducing the comics. 177 00:09:53,440 --> 00:09:56,520 Speaker 1: Of course, I told my parents and I still lived 178 00:09:56,559 --> 00:10:00,560 Speaker 1: at home. I was like twenty one, and so I 179 00:10:00,600 --> 00:10:03,319 Speaker 1: went out and bought a I can still see it, 180 00:10:03,360 --> 00:10:07,080 Speaker 1: like a powder blue blazer, right, and new pants and 181 00:10:07,120 --> 00:10:09,200 Speaker 1: a new shirt. It's all I mean. I think the 182 00:10:09,440 --> 00:10:10,959 Speaker 1: I think the shirt the blazer came in the same 183 00:10:11,000 --> 00:10:14,400 Speaker 1: package with each other. And I get up, and my 184 00:10:14,679 --> 00:10:18,000 Speaker 1: parents came, and a couple of my aunts and uncles came. 185 00:10:19,080 --> 00:10:21,400 Speaker 1: So here I am taking money from people and there's 186 00:10:21,400 --> 00:10:24,439 Speaker 1: no credit card. It's all cash. And then I'm seating 187 00:10:24,440 --> 00:10:27,200 Speaker 1: people it's sad. About one hundred people maybe, And it 188 00:10:27,240 --> 00:10:29,000 Speaker 1: was a beautiful room because I looked right out over here, 189 00:10:29,000 --> 00:10:31,000 Speaker 1: over the boats from the harbor. It was great into content. 190 00:10:31,080 --> 00:10:32,760 Speaker 1: It wasn't he None of us was here. So I 191 00:10:32,840 --> 00:10:34,320 Speaker 1: just had a kind of a wide view of you know, 192 00:10:34,360 --> 00:10:39,600 Speaker 1: downtown Boston. And so I now it's showtime. My heart 193 00:10:39,640 --> 00:10:42,680 Speaker 1: is beating out of my chest. It's it is beating 194 00:10:42,760 --> 00:10:46,000 Speaker 1: out of my chest. And I get up on stage 195 00:10:46,040 --> 00:10:49,920 Speaker 1: and I grabbed the microphone and I'm so nervous. I'm 196 00:10:49,920 --> 00:10:53,440 Speaker 1: holding onto the back curtain with my hand. And I 197 00:10:53,480 --> 00:10:57,400 Speaker 1: heard two things. I heard. My aunt Mary was to 198 00:10:57,480 --> 00:11:02,280 Speaker 1: cease now say, oh, look at him, he's adorable. I 199 00:11:02,320 --> 00:11:04,480 Speaker 1: hear that before you get a word out of my mouth. 200 00:11:04,559 --> 00:11:07,200 Speaker 1: And then and then a guy I left says to 201 00:11:07,280 --> 00:11:09,360 Speaker 1: know one, probably to his wife, and it was he says, 202 00:11:10,000 --> 00:11:11,800 Speaker 1: is this the kid who just sat us? You know, 203 00:11:11,920 --> 00:11:13,880 Speaker 1: like just petrified that I'm gonna go up and start 204 00:11:13,880 --> 00:11:15,880 Speaker 1: doing comedy? You know? So I just had to go 205 00:11:15,960 --> 00:11:17,960 Speaker 1: up and choose the comics. And I couldn't get off 206 00:11:18,000 --> 00:11:21,160 Speaker 1: that stage quick enough. Did you do some some jokes? Though? 207 00:11:21,200 --> 00:11:24,480 Speaker 1: I mean no. As I got more comfortable through the years, 208 00:11:24,480 --> 00:11:26,440 Speaker 1: at clubs, you go up and Dick could have you 209 00:11:26,440 --> 00:11:29,319 Speaker 1: go up in between the feature and the headliner and 210 00:11:29,480 --> 00:11:32,800 Speaker 1: promote the dinner and show package. So you're throwing your 211 00:11:32,800 --> 00:11:35,320 Speaker 1: little jokes here and there, you know, and you get booed. 212 00:11:35,559 --> 00:11:40,439 Speaker 1: But I I love telling jokes and sometimes I'm my 213 00:11:40,480 --> 00:11:43,400 Speaker 1: own best audience. I love when people don't laugh. I 214 00:11:43,440 --> 00:11:47,800 Speaker 1: find that to be hilarious. There's something crazy about it. Yeah, 215 00:11:47,800 --> 00:11:52,120 Speaker 1: I think it's great. Yeah, But you never, even though 216 00:11:52,120 --> 00:11:56,359 Speaker 1: you had this and still do obviously this incredible appreciation 217 00:11:56,640 --> 00:12:00,480 Speaker 1: for comedy and the bug bit you, but you never 218 00:12:00,559 --> 00:12:03,640 Speaker 1: really set your sights truly to be a stand up 219 00:12:03,640 --> 00:12:05,880 Speaker 1: and make a living that way. Right. Oh god, No, 220 00:12:05,960 --> 00:12:07,760 Speaker 1: I couldn't even because I just at an early age 221 00:12:07,760 --> 00:12:11,120 Speaker 1: I realized how hard these people worked, like just you know, 222 00:12:11,120 --> 00:12:12,800 Speaker 1: they might be at lightships one night, but the next 223 00:12:12,880 --> 00:12:15,360 Speaker 1: night they're driving the headliner up to you know, bangor 224 00:12:15,480 --> 00:12:19,120 Speaker 1: Maine for gas money, you know, to get five minutes 225 00:12:19,160 --> 00:12:20,920 Speaker 1: on stage or ten minutes on stage. It just seemed 226 00:12:20,920 --> 00:12:24,200 Speaker 1: to me like what an incredible amount of work to 227 00:12:24,320 --> 00:12:27,160 Speaker 1: make to realize their dream and to make it happen. 228 00:12:27,240 --> 00:12:30,360 Speaker 1: So and to me, it's like being the door person. 229 00:12:31,600 --> 00:12:33,800 Speaker 1: I was right there, and I got to work with 230 00:12:33,840 --> 00:12:36,840 Speaker 1: different people every single night, and it was secure. I 231 00:12:36,840 --> 00:12:40,240 Speaker 1: got the same paid regardless. And you know, of course 232 00:12:40,320 --> 00:12:42,719 Speaker 1: back in those days, and you know, in the early 233 00:12:42,840 --> 00:12:45,000 Speaker 1: nineties in Boston, there was always a concern. It was 234 00:12:45,240 --> 00:12:46,880 Speaker 1: it was a jump ball where the cow would still 235 00:12:46,880 --> 00:12:50,480 Speaker 1: be across the street. That was probably my biggest concern, 236 00:12:50,720 --> 00:12:55,040 Speaker 1: you know. But you know, so you're working with you're 237 00:12:55,080 --> 00:12:59,600 Speaker 1: working with Gavin and Sweeney, and there were certain guys 238 00:12:59,600 --> 00:13:01,920 Speaker 1: whouldn't work for Dick whatever a photo for the reason. 239 00:13:02,520 --> 00:13:06,079 Speaker 1: But Mike Donovan and Frank Santarelli, and then you get 240 00:13:06,080 --> 00:13:07,960 Speaker 1: this whole you know, you get the people who just 241 00:13:08,040 --> 00:13:10,800 Speaker 1: had just left Boston and you know Mac Marin and 242 00:13:11,400 --> 00:13:14,000 Speaker 1: Nick DePaulo in the in the late eighties, you know, 243 00:13:14,040 --> 00:13:15,959 Speaker 1: to go to New York. But none of this new 244 00:13:16,000 --> 00:13:21,640 Speaker 1: crop of people came in. Bill Burr, Paterse O'Neil, Greg Fitzsimmons, 245 00:13:22,240 --> 00:13:25,559 Speaker 1: Carry Louise and just this whole list of these people 246 00:13:25,640 --> 00:13:27,560 Speaker 1: came in and now there's some of the best comedy 247 00:13:27,679 --> 00:13:31,320 Speaker 1: comedians in the in the country. But they learned the 248 00:13:31,320 --> 00:13:35,840 Speaker 1: Boston way. So why though Boston as such a hub 249 00:13:35,880 --> 00:13:39,720 Speaker 1: of comedy, I mean, is it the misery that the 250 00:13:39,760 --> 00:13:42,640 Speaker 1: inhabitants have to go through on a regular basis with 251 00:13:43,080 --> 00:13:46,720 Speaker 1: traffic and weather conditions. So is it all of that 252 00:13:46,720 --> 00:13:50,880 Speaker 1: that drove this appetite and drives this appetite for comedy? 253 00:13:50,920 --> 00:13:53,760 Speaker 1: What is it about the psyche? I think it's all 254 00:13:53,760 --> 00:13:56,480 Speaker 1: those things. I think it's the weather, the politics. It was, 255 00:13:56,600 --> 00:13:59,960 Speaker 1: you know before, before the advent of bush and sports, 256 00:14:00,000 --> 00:14:01,840 Speaker 1: you know, twenty years ago, it was the sports teams, 257 00:14:01,880 --> 00:14:04,840 Speaker 1: the misery and you know, the lovable losers and just 258 00:14:04,880 --> 00:14:07,560 Speaker 1: down to the dumps, there was a gigantic I believe, 259 00:14:07,800 --> 00:14:09,920 Speaker 1: strongly believe until the Yank till the Red Sox beat 260 00:14:09,960 --> 00:14:12,880 Speaker 1: the Yankees and O four that there was a gigantic 261 00:14:12,920 --> 00:14:16,120 Speaker 1: inferiority complex in Boston about New York. Sure that has 262 00:14:16,120 --> 00:14:18,920 Speaker 1: since dissipated. I think larger good because of the success 263 00:14:18,920 --> 00:14:22,400 Speaker 1: of the sports teams, which is so funny, but those 264 00:14:22,640 --> 00:14:25,240 Speaker 1: people love to complain. And also traditionally in the city 265 00:14:25,320 --> 00:14:29,680 Speaker 1: that there were people from big families. In order to 266 00:14:29,680 --> 00:14:32,440 Speaker 1: be heard, you had to speak up, you know. And 267 00:14:32,640 --> 00:14:35,680 Speaker 1: but it's also a thing. You think you're a you 268 00:14:35,720 --> 00:14:37,960 Speaker 1: think you're you're something else. In a big family, a 269 00:14:37,960 --> 00:14:43,120 Speaker 1: big Irish or Italian family, a big African American family. 270 00:14:43,840 --> 00:14:47,560 Speaker 1: You think you're you think you're something big, and no 271 00:14:47,600 --> 00:14:50,480 Speaker 1: one will cut you down quicker than your own siblings. 272 00:14:50,480 --> 00:14:52,120 Speaker 1: So you have parents, you think you're you may be 273 00:14:52,120 --> 00:14:54,480 Speaker 1: a big shot on the outside, but you come down. 274 00:14:54,560 --> 00:14:58,600 Speaker 1: It's like past the gravy. You know, you're you're down 275 00:14:58,720 --> 00:15:02,280 Speaker 1: to their level and like there's no superiority, you know, 276 00:15:02,480 --> 00:15:04,920 Speaker 1: it's just like, no, it's a good it's a good 277 00:15:04,960 --> 00:15:09,520 Speaker 1: check on people. Oh, certainly it still is. So I 278 00:15:09,680 --> 00:15:13,240 Speaker 1: moved here in the early nineties. So was this uh, 279 00:15:13,360 --> 00:15:18,040 Speaker 1: this big monstrosity, this hood monstrosity. Was it here and 280 00:15:18,200 --> 00:15:20,520 Speaker 1: describe that for people? It was? It was not the 281 00:15:20,760 --> 00:15:22,960 Speaker 1: not the condition is in today. It was like it 282 00:15:23,000 --> 00:15:25,720 Speaker 1: was peeling away. It's kind of like the It's kind 283 00:15:25,720 --> 00:15:29,520 Speaker 1: of like the sit go sign of the of the 284 00:15:29,600 --> 00:15:32,880 Speaker 1: harbor in a lot of ways, right, the Ciculo sign 285 00:15:32,960 --> 00:15:35,240 Speaker 1: was not in good shape. It was not well lit up, 286 00:15:35,320 --> 00:15:37,920 Speaker 1: the bulbs were out. Nobody could you know. And then 287 00:15:37,920 --> 00:15:39,480 Speaker 1: all of a sudden, if he became this you know, 288 00:15:39,600 --> 00:15:42,680 Speaker 1: this thing, this thing and the milk bottle, I guarantee 289 00:15:42,680 --> 00:15:44,200 Speaker 1: you if they announced that they were going to remove 290 00:15:44,240 --> 00:15:47,080 Speaker 1: the milk bottle. They'd be a protest down here, well, 291 00:15:47,120 --> 00:15:49,640 Speaker 1: five hundred people chaining themselves to it. We'd be lined up, 292 00:15:49,720 --> 00:15:52,400 Speaker 1: you'd be lined up. You're not taking a milk bottle away? Yeah, 293 00:15:52,400 --> 00:15:56,120 Speaker 1: of course that's I'd probably just give its history. I 294 00:15:56,160 --> 00:15:58,120 Speaker 1: probably would be too, you know, you probably buy it, 295 00:15:58,200 --> 00:16:00,560 Speaker 1: bring it up. But yeah, yeah, exactly, that's what you'd 296 00:16:00,560 --> 00:16:02,720 Speaker 1: probably do. If if Dick was still running comedy clubs, 297 00:16:02,720 --> 00:16:07,240 Speaker 1: you'd have a club inside there. You know, that's really funny. 298 00:16:07,480 --> 00:16:10,680 Speaker 1: Oh that is that is beautiful. So just going back 299 00:16:10,720 --> 00:16:13,800 Speaker 1: a second, So you did the radio stuff? Was radio 300 00:16:13,920 --> 00:16:16,120 Speaker 1: something because I know you're a big fan of radio 301 00:16:16,200 --> 00:16:20,800 Speaker 1: club today? So was radio ever something you really thought 302 00:16:20,840 --> 00:16:23,560 Speaker 1: of as a career and and and then how did 303 00:16:23,560 --> 00:16:27,280 Speaker 1: you wise up? Yeah? Well I was wisened up. I'm 304 00:16:27,480 --> 00:16:30,840 Speaker 1: you know, I love radio, you know, listen to used 305 00:16:30,880 --> 00:16:33,760 Speaker 1: to listen to W I. T. S And Glenn Roadway 306 00:16:33,840 --> 00:16:37,080 Speaker 1: and Cliff and Claff and Doctor Joy Brothers and some 307 00:16:37,120 --> 00:16:39,280 Speaker 1: shows I probably should have been listening to. And but 308 00:16:39,360 --> 00:16:42,520 Speaker 1: I just love that medium and just listen to the radio. 309 00:16:42,600 --> 00:16:46,600 Speaker 1: And I'd listen to Overnight. I listened to uh to 310 00:16:47,040 --> 00:16:49,840 Speaker 1: Norm Nathan speaking to you live from the plush but 311 00:16:49,880 --> 00:16:54,640 Speaker 1: not overly ostentatious studios of WBZ, and it was it 312 00:16:54,680 --> 00:16:56,720 Speaker 1: was so And then Stephen Wright would stop into his 313 00:16:56,800 --> 00:16:59,640 Speaker 1: show overnight, just pop in. Stephen Wright come on the 314 00:16:59,640 --> 00:17:01,880 Speaker 1: Norman Them Show from two to three o'clock in the morning, 315 00:17:02,200 --> 00:17:04,840 Speaker 1: just riffing and talking, and so I just loved it. 316 00:17:06,240 --> 00:17:09,360 Speaker 1: So I decided, in the middle of my nine year 317 00:17:09,440 --> 00:17:12,760 Speaker 1: journey through ums bust and I decided to I was 318 00:17:12,800 --> 00:17:14,919 Speaker 1: just paying as I went and working part time jobs, 319 00:17:14,960 --> 00:17:18,520 Speaker 1: and it was an interesting time in my life and 320 00:17:18,640 --> 00:17:21,240 Speaker 1: I so I just I it was just kind of 321 00:17:21,280 --> 00:17:23,600 Speaker 1: meandering through, and so I decided to go to broadcasting 322 00:17:23,640 --> 00:17:28,399 Speaker 1: school Dick Robinson, the Collecticets a little broadcasting in Wellesley Hills, 323 00:17:28,600 --> 00:17:31,960 Speaker 1: and so I went. And so I actually Jordan Rich 324 00:17:32,160 --> 00:17:34,520 Speaker 1: was one of my instructors, and I'm still in touch 325 00:17:34,520 --> 00:17:38,200 Speaker 1: with Jordan to this day. But everybody there they said, 326 00:17:38,960 --> 00:17:40,480 Speaker 1: they said I was pretty good. I didn't know how 327 00:17:40,520 --> 00:17:42,280 Speaker 1: to cut tape, you know, you to do a grease pencil. 328 00:17:42,280 --> 00:17:45,720 Speaker 1: And the thing I never really mastered that My father 329 00:17:45,800 --> 00:17:49,159 Speaker 1: was a construction worker and I inherited exactly none of 330 00:17:49,160 --> 00:17:52,439 Speaker 1: his skills. I have like a I have like a 331 00:17:52,680 --> 00:17:54,879 Speaker 1: mallet and some masking tape in my toolbox. You know, 332 00:17:54,880 --> 00:17:56,159 Speaker 1: I don't know how to do any of that stuff 333 00:17:56,200 --> 00:17:58,520 Speaker 1: more than I have. But I was good, Yeah, I was. 334 00:17:58,680 --> 00:18:00,560 Speaker 1: I was. I guess I was pretty good on the 335 00:18:00,560 --> 00:18:02,240 Speaker 1: air and could do the talk up to the record 336 00:18:02,280 --> 00:18:05,040 Speaker 1: and do the news and stuff like that. But they 337 00:18:05,040 --> 00:18:09,240 Speaker 1: told me, they said, John, you know your excent is 338 00:18:09,320 --> 00:18:10,919 Speaker 1: you're going to change that thing. It was kind of 339 00:18:10,920 --> 00:18:12,800 Speaker 1: like Rudolph with his red nose, you know, just sort 340 00:18:12,800 --> 00:18:15,639 Speaker 1: of like you could do something. But as I think, 341 00:18:15,720 --> 00:18:17,600 Speaker 1: we said, you know, your first job, you got to 342 00:18:17,640 --> 00:18:20,560 Speaker 1: go up to cover eighth grade girls volleyball, you know, 343 00:18:20,680 --> 00:18:23,399 Speaker 1: up in Augusta, Maine, you know, And how much no 344 00:18:23,400 --> 00:18:26,920 Speaker 1: one's gonna understand me. You know, who's gonna get a translator? Yeah, 345 00:18:27,359 --> 00:18:29,040 Speaker 1: you know, And I remember, you know, back in TV, 346 00:18:29,800 --> 00:18:31,840 Speaker 1: you know, back in the seventies, and you know the 347 00:18:31,880 --> 00:18:34,159 Speaker 1: reason why they say Carson and perhaps even let him 348 00:18:34,160 --> 00:18:36,760 Speaker 1: and I. In addition to being hilariously funny and talented, 349 00:18:37,280 --> 00:18:39,679 Speaker 1: but they were not threatening. They had that kind of 350 00:18:39,720 --> 00:18:43,760 Speaker 1: Midwestern middle of the road dialect that people from Topeka 351 00:18:44,200 --> 00:18:46,160 Speaker 1: wouldn't be upset about. It was that middle of road 352 00:18:46,160 --> 00:18:48,479 Speaker 1: as opposed to you know, later years, you know, as 353 00:18:48,520 --> 00:18:51,400 Speaker 1: you get that kind of whichever coast you know kind 354 00:18:51,400 --> 00:18:55,879 Speaker 1: of dialect. But it was important back then. It was 355 00:18:55,920 --> 00:18:58,000 Speaker 1: important back then. That's why I thought Eddie Innelman was 356 00:18:58,000 --> 00:19:00,960 Speaker 1: so groundbreaking. I listened to the Sports every Sunday night 357 00:19:01,000 --> 00:19:03,040 Speaker 1: from you know, six to ten, and I tape it. 358 00:19:03,080 --> 00:19:06,040 Speaker 1: I put my tape recorder up to it. And but 359 00:19:06,160 --> 00:19:09,040 Speaker 1: those guys, Eddie, Mock and Jim, they were Boston guys, 360 00:19:09,080 --> 00:19:11,280 Speaker 1: and that show was I think they were having drinks 361 00:19:11,320 --> 00:19:13,280 Speaker 1: at a bar one night and someone discovered them. They 362 00:19:13,359 --> 00:19:17,680 Speaker 1: ended up on WBZ first and then and then HDH 363 00:19:17,760 --> 00:19:20,800 Speaker 1: and but they just they just you know, but that 364 00:19:20,960 --> 00:19:24,960 Speaker 1: wasn't working for me, so so it was I. But 365 00:19:25,040 --> 00:19:28,160 Speaker 1: then I just by chance Hank dated. Hank Morris dated 366 00:19:28,160 --> 00:19:30,760 Speaker 1: a girl from Western Roxbury, Sherry's guante. She worked at 367 00:19:30,800 --> 00:19:33,880 Speaker 1: the Cell's clothing store with a girl named Trishia Rowan. 368 00:19:33,920 --> 00:19:37,280 Speaker 1: Trisha was my girlfriend. It was next to Steve slines Delhi, 369 00:19:37,359 --> 00:19:40,800 Speaker 1: I worked there. And Cherry said she dating this guy. 370 00:19:40,880 --> 00:19:42,919 Speaker 1: Hank Morse is Hank Morse. I know Hank Morris from 371 00:19:43,000 --> 00:19:45,359 Speaker 1: Kiss Went Await. So when I met Hank was like 372 00:19:45,320 --> 00:19:48,879 Speaker 1: I was meeting a celebrity and he is awesome, and 373 00:19:49,119 --> 00:19:51,800 Speaker 1: he he could run from mayor Midford tonight and went 374 00:19:51,880 --> 00:19:53,800 Speaker 1: in a in a recall election if he wanted to. 375 00:19:53,960 --> 00:19:57,760 Speaker 1: Oh yeah, So he hooked me up, he said, I'll 376 00:19:57,800 --> 00:20:00,440 Speaker 1: hook up with an interview and U he got me 377 00:20:00,440 --> 00:20:03,600 Speaker 1: an interview with Lisa Fell, who was Billy Coster's wife 378 00:20:03,640 --> 00:20:08,320 Speaker 1: at the time, and got the job and reported Annie 379 00:20:08,320 --> 00:20:10,960 Speaker 1: the Wigginsburg. I mean when I told my father first, 380 00:20:11,000 --> 00:20:14,199 Speaker 1: my parents were very skeptical, but the broadcasting school, you know, 381 00:20:14,680 --> 00:20:16,399 Speaker 1: they wanted me to go work for utility, just go 382 00:20:16,440 --> 00:20:19,080 Speaker 1: get a good job, get a job at the gas company. 383 00:20:19,320 --> 00:20:21,560 Speaker 1: At job I would have lasted with a jackhammer in 384 00:20:21,560 --> 00:20:23,600 Speaker 1: the middle of the street. And so much respect for 385 00:20:23,640 --> 00:20:26,080 Speaker 1: those people who do that stuff. I mean, my father, 386 00:20:26,240 --> 00:20:28,360 Speaker 1: you know, like I wouldn't have lasted five minutes doing 387 00:20:28,400 --> 00:20:31,520 Speaker 1: what he did for work. Well, my mother does for 388 00:20:31,600 --> 00:20:35,280 Speaker 1: work still, she's a daycare provider to this day. But 389 00:20:35,359 --> 00:20:37,840 Speaker 1: I you know, I so they were skeptical about it. 390 00:20:37,880 --> 00:20:39,439 Speaker 1: But when when I told him I was working for 391 00:20:39,760 --> 00:20:43,080 Speaker 1: that Annie the wug Ginsburg with my boss, their eyes lit. 392 00:20:43,680 --> 00:20:46,840 Speaker 1: You know, what is the wolfman Jack of Boston. And 393 00:20:47,640 --> 00:20:49,760 Speaker 1: so then when I plaid that into getting the job 394 00:20:49,760 --> 00:20:52,879 Speaker 1: at the comedy club for Dick Daugherty. Now have become 395 00:20:52,920 --> 00:20:55,480 Speaker 1: someone in my parents' eyes. You know, I've arrived at 396 00:20:55,520 --> 00:21:01,080 Speaker 1: that moment. I've arrived. So take us through what got 397 00:21:01,119 --> 00:21:04,520 Speaker 1: you to hear There's so many interesting paths and you 398 00:21:04,520 --> 00:21:08,239 Speaker 1: know still interesting paths that you've taken. So walk us 399 00:21:08,280 --> 00:21:13,000 Speaker 1: through where those took you and how it got here. Well, 400 00:21:13,119 --> 00:21:16,440 Speaker 1: I you know, growing up in Mattapan, every other person 401 00:21:16,480 --> 00:21:18,440 Speaker 1: was an elected official and the other half were always 402 00:21:18,480 --> 00:21:20,359 Speaker 1: running against them, so it was always an election going on. 403 00:21:20,920 --> 00:21:23,960 Speaker 1: My parents weren't involved in politics, even though they were 404 00:21:23,960 --> 00:21:26,560 Speaker 1: friends with all these They never ran for ravas, but 405 00:21:26,600 --> 00:21:29,480 Speaker 1: they'd work on campaigns and let me work on campaigns. 406 00:21:29,800 --> 00:21:31,880 Speaker 1: So I've been delivering flyers and holding science for people 407 00:21:31,880 --> 00:21:35,639 Speaker 1: since I was six. My parents were foster parents, probably 408 00:21:35,680 --> 00:21:37,640 Speaker 1: had thirty different kids in a house over the course 409 00:21:37,640 --> 00:21:40,760 Speaker 1: of thirty years. My youngest brother, Patrick was abandoned by 410 00:21:41,000 --> 00:21:43,640 Speaker 1: his teenage parents in nineteen seventy six in South Boston. 411 00:21:44,000 --> 00:21:46,159 Speaker 1: It was a highly high profile case in Boston. He 412 00:21:46,240 --> 00:21:48,399 Speaker 1: ended up coming to a house and our family ended 413 00:21:48,440 --> 00:21:50,680 Speaker 1: up adopting him. So that was they kind of filmed 414 00:21:50,680 --> 00:21:53,400 Speaker 1: my public service. But I wanted to be mayor of Boston. 415 00:21:53,480 --> 00:21:57,119 Speaker 1: That's what I wanted to do, but I loved I 416 00:21:57,160 --> 00:21:59,760 Speaker 1: also loved comedy growing up, and I loved the politics 417 00:21:59,760 --> 00:22:04,040 Speaker 1: and started working in the state House, and I was 418 00:22:04,080 --> 00:22:06,200 Speaker 1: working a kiss. I was interning at the state House, 419 00:22:07,040 --> 00:22:10,960 Speaker 1: and so so I started working in the clubs helped 420 00:22:10,960 --> 00:22:14,720 Speaker 1: start the Boston Comedy Festival. When I'm twenty five, I 421 00:22:14,800 --> 00:22:17,960 Speaker 1: run for city council District City Council against a fourteen 422 00:22:18,000 --> 00:22:22,239 Speaker 1: year incumbent and I came in sec There were five 423 00:22:22,359 --> 00:22:24,520 Speaker 1: us in the race. I get into the final with 424 00:22:24,600 --> 00:22:26,359 Speaker 1: her and I lost. I came in second, but I 425 00:22:26,880 --> 00:22:29,720 Speaker 1: wasn't too upset because I figured I was still working 426 00:22:29,720 --> 00:22:33,159 Speaker 1: at the state House. I had my comedy job, and 427 00:22:33,200 --> 00:22:35,159 Speaker 1: I kind of even though I wanted to win, I 428 00:22:35,240 --> 00:22:37,760 Speaker 1: was probably a little bit too young and didn't have 429 00:22:37,760 --> 00:22:40,120 Speaker 1: the life experience that voters are looking for at the time. 430 00:22:40,800 --> 00:22:44,720 Speaker 1: And so I worked a couple more years in the 431 00:22:44,720 --> 00:22:48,360 Speaker 1: state House and then ended up at a private company 432 00:22:49,160 --> 00:22:51,439 Speaker 1: more to balance myself off on the business side of things, 433 00:22:51,720 --> 00:22:53,440 Speaker 1: just so I had that experience and always going to 434 00:22:53,520 --> 00:22:56,560 Speaker 1: run again. Run for city council again in nineteen ninety nine. 435 00:22:57,000 --> 00:22:59,280 Speaker 1: I'm still working at clubs and managing clubs, you know. 436 00:23:00,720 --> 00:23:03,320 Speaker 1: After Lightships, I ran a place for Dick up in 437 00:23:03,359 --> 00:23:05,600 Speaker 1: the endo of the Girl ninety three, and then they 438 00:23:05,640 --> 00:23:08,160 Speaker 1: send me out to Worcesta to the yaku Waku, which 439 00:23:08,240 --> 00:23:10,239 Speaker 1: I will write a book about someday. But I need 440 00:23:10,280 --> 00:23:15,760 Speaker 1: about fifteen more people to die. And I run in 441 00:23:15,840 --> 00:23:19,400 Speaker 1: ninety nine against now the sixteen year incumbent by eighteen 442 00:23:19,480 --> 00:23:22,560 Speaker 1: year incumbent at the time, and five of us in 443 00:23:22,600 --> 00:23:24,720 Speaker 1: the race. I get in the final with her. We 444 00:23:24,800 --> 00:23:27,359 Speaker 1: think we have her, and she beat me again. I 445 00:23:27,400 --> 00:23:30,919 Speaker 1: was devastated. I was really and now I've lost twice 446 00:23:30,960 --> 00:23:34,679 Speaker 1: for the seat. You know, I'm barely thirty, and I'm like, 447 00:23:35,040 --> 00:23:36,919 Speaker 1: oh man, and I don't want to become like a 448 00:23:36,960 --> 00:23:41,960 Speaker 1: Harold Stassen, like Perennial. I'm on the precipice of this happening. 449 00:23:42,640 --> 00:23:47,320 Speaker 1: So I end up out In two thousand, I'm working 450 00:23:47,320 --> 00:23:51,399 Speaker 1: at Catholic Memorial, my all matters, the development director, go 451 00:23:51,440 --> 00:23:56,399 Speaker 1: out to LA with the comedy festival stuff. End up 452 00:23:56,400 --> 00:23:58,320 Speaker 1: at a party. We have an off night. End up 453 00:23:58,320 --> 00:24:00,320 Speaker 1: at a party. There's a bunch of girls been out 454 00:24:00,359 --> 00:24:05,280 Speaker 1: there from Boston and meet this girl, Kate, and she's 455 00:24:05,320 --> 00:24:08,439 Speaker 1: from Milton, so we kind of hit it off. Went 456 00:24:08,440 --> 00:24:11,679 Speaker 1: to a comedy show with the improv and while I'm 457 00:24:11,720 --> 00:24:14,320 Speaker 1: out there in California, I get word that the incumbent 458 00:24:14,600 --> 00:24:17,440 Speaker 1: is leaving to run for another seat. I was never 459 00:24:17,480 --> 00:24:22,840 Speaker 1: gonna beat her, so I fly home early and I said, 460 00:24:23,359 --> 00:24:25,879 Speaker 1: I sit down with my parents, and my father actually 461 00:24:25,920 --> 00:24:27,879 Speaker 1: said to me, who was my biggest supporter. I mean, 462 00:24:27,880 --> 00:24:30,280 Speaker 1: he'd hold he made all my signs by hand, and 463 00:24:30,359 --> 00:24:31,760 Speaker 1: he'd be out duck and dunts with me at five 464 00:24:31,840 --> 00:24:36,439 Speaker 1: thirty in the morning. And he said, John, it's probably 465 00:24:36,600 --> 00:24:39,080 Speaker 1: probably not your time. I said, what do you mean 466 00:24:39,119 --> 00:24:40,679 Speaker 1: it's not my time? I said, I'd just run twice 467 00:24:40,680 --> 00:24:43,639 Speaker 1: and lost, and he said, yeah, but this kid there 468 00:24:43,640 --> 00:24:45,640 Speaker 1: was already a guy in the race way ahead. He'd 469 00:24:45,680 --> 00:24:48,159 Speaker 1: you know, I said, I feel like I gotta do it. 470 00:24:48,240 --> 00:24:49,840 Speaker 1: But I also knew in the back of my mind 471 00:24:49,840 --> 00:24:53,359 Speaker 1: if I lost. You know, if I had lost that race, 472 00:24:53,400 --> 00:24:57,200 Speaker 1: I would be running, you know, a building complex in 473 00:24:57,280 --> 00:25:00,520 Speaker 1: Tallahassee right now. My life would have been completely different, completely. 474 00:25:01,119 --> 00:25:03,520 Speaker 1: We ended up we lost the preliminary. He came in second, 475 00:25:03,520 --> 00:25:06,520 Speaker 1: we crushed, and we ended up turning around the next 476 00:25:06,520 --> 00:25:08,800 Speaker 1: six weeks we got some political gods that visited us, 477 00:25:09,280 --> 00:25:12,840 Speaker 1: and so won that race, and you know, continued became 478 00:25:12,840 --> 00:25:16,600 Speaker 1: a Boston City council up, continued, you know, booking comedy. 479 00:25:17,200 --> 00:25:19,879 Speaker 1: Tom Mahermanino was so good to me personally, professionally, not 480 00:25:19,880 --> 00:25:23,440 Speaker 1: at the beginning, but he loved sneaking, he loved comedy, 481 00:25:23,800 --> 00:25:25,400 Speaker 1: and we talk comedy all the time. And then I'd 482 00:25:25,400 --> 00:25:27,159 Speaker 1: bring in big comedians to do, like give him the 483 00:25:27,200 --> 00:25:29,520 Speaker 1: key to the city and Menino, you know, I brought 484 00:25:29,520 --> 00:25:31,840 Speaker 1: in Dane Cook. We gave him a key to the 485 00:25:31,880 --> 00:25:35,359 Speaker 1: city one time. Noam Crosby, who was a sweetheart of 486 00:25:35,440 --> 00:25:38,359 Speaker 1: a man. You know, he's from Boston, his wife's from Boston. 487 00:25:38,400 --> 00:25:41,119 Speaker 1: He came back and we treated him like gold. Menino 488 00:25:41,119 --> 00:25:43,240 Speaker 1: would give them gold cup links. Vin de Bona from 489 00:25:43,600 --> 00:25:46,119 Speaker 1: America's Funny his home videos and so it was a 490 00:25:46,200 --> 00:25:48,280 Speaker 1: kind of my entreea to Menino. Loved that stuff. And 491 00:25:48,320 --> 00:25:52,280 Speaker 1: the mayor I remember too, Laura wally Fan as well. Yeah, 492 00:25:52,280 --> 00:25:54,600 Speaker 1: he did Old Lorda and Walling Lorda, Wally Day and 493 00:25:55,000 --> 00:25:58,000 Speaker 1: and uh yeah he was. He was a really good guy. 494 00:25:58,040 --> 00:26:00,000 Speaker 1: And then when I told him I was I open 495 00:26:00,200 --> 00:26:02,359 Speaker 1: up a comedy club with Frank A. Hearn who has 496 00:26:02,359 --> 00:26:05,640 Speaker 1: since passed away Warrenton Street, up the street from Nicks 497 00:26:05,640 --> 00:26:09,720 Speaker 1: in the old Comedy Connection and in the in the 498 00:26:09,800 --> 00:26:11,879 Speaker 1: room in between she had Madness and Blue Man Group, 499 00:26:12,520 --> 00:26:14,640 Speaker 1: and we called it Tommy's. I think tom Benito thought 500 00:26:14,640 --> 00:26:16,440 Speaker 1: I was named any after him, but I was named 501 00:26:16,480 --> 00:26:19,960 Speaker 1: after Thomas Wignell, who's the first known comedian in the country. Wow, 502 00:26:20,240 --> 00:26:23,160 Speaker 1: and all the old time comedians are give me crap 503 00:26:23,200 --> 00:26:24,919 Speaker 1: and say, you know the hell's Tommy? I said, well, 504 00:26:24,960 --> 00:26:27,239 Speaker 1: who the Hell's Nick? You know from Nick's Comedy Stop right. 505 00:26:27,320 --> 00:26:32,080 Speaker 1: So about six months after we opened, Frank had a stroke. 506 00:26:32,160 --> 00:26:34,280 Speaker 1: Frank Aharn had a stroke and we thought he's gone. 507 00:26:34,280 --> 00:26:36,720 Speaker 1: He was on, you know, in a coma for a 508 00:26:36,760 --> 00:26:38,800 Speaker 1: few months, and at the time Nick's Comedy stopp called 509 00:26:38,800 --> 00:26:40,000 Speaker 1: me down the street and they said, why don't you 510 00:26:40,040 --> 00:26:43,600 Speaker 1: run our club too? So now I'm running two clubs 511 00:26:43,960 --> 00:26:47,840 Speaker 1: and not the one is doing particularly well, and I'm oh, 512 00:26:47,920 --> 00:26:49,120 Speaker 1: my god, what am I going to do? So Frank 513 00:26:49,160 --> 00:26:51,120 Speaker 1: came out of the como, was in a rehab facility 514 00:26:51,119 --> 00:26:55,280 Speaker 1: down Situate. This is two thousand and ten, and I 515 00:26:55,359 --> 00:26:58,360 Speaker 1: tell him that, I said, Frank, I'm going to mothball 516 00:26:58,400 --> 00:27:01,840 Speaker 1: Tommy's until you get batter. We contrat Nicks because that's 517 00:27:01,840 --> 00:27:04,360 Speaker 1: the one that's only that's making some bit of money here, 518 00:27:05,040 --> 00:27:09,600 Speaker 1: and he agreed with it. I then announced, then I 519 00:27:09,640 --> 00:27:11,480 Speaker 1: get the job at Northeastern. I was recruited to come 520 00:27:11,520 --> 00:27:14,000 Speaker 1: to Northeastern and leave the council because I wanted to 521 00:27:14,040 --> 00:27:16,080 Speaker 1: run from Mayor. But Mayor Menino, as good as he 522 00:27:16,160 --> 00:27:17,920 Speaker 1: was to me, he wasn't about to tell me his plans. 523 00:27:18,920 --> 00:27:20,560 Speaker 1: And my boys were two and four at the time, 524 00:27:20,760 --> 00:27:23,679 Speaker 1: and I'm like, how much can I I could run 525 00:27:24,840 --> 00:27:27,159 Speaker 1: and I could win, or I could run and I 526 00:27:27,160 --> 00:27:29,480 Speaker 1: could lose. Then what's going to happen? I've kind of 527 00:27:30,160 --> 00:27:32,280 Speaker 1: so I went to Northeaston and I've been there ever since. 528 00:27:32,280 --> 00:27:35,080 Speaker 1: It's been a great experience. But I have always continued 529 00:27:35,160 --> 00:27:41,200 Speaker 1: running the clubs. But and Frank passed away two days 530 00:27:41,200 --> 00:27:44,920 Speaker 1: before I started at Northeastern, so we didn't reopen Tommy's. 531 00:27:44,920 --> 00:27:48,600 Speaker 1: We concentrate on Nicks. And then the guys from the 532 00:27:48,640 --> 00:27:51,359 Speaker 1: Improv Asylum, who I knew from my work in the 533 00:27:51,359 --> 00:27:53,639 Speaker 1: city Council. I was Chairbots and Humanities. They came to 534 00:27:53,680 --> 00:27:57,600 Speaker 1: me and said, let's look at down the seaport. At 535 00:27:57,600 --> 00:27:59,399 Speaker 1: that time, the only thing down here really was the 536 00:27:59,760 --> 00:28:02,600 Speaker 1: Moke Courthouse and you know, the last remnants of P 537 00:28:02,760 --> 00:28:04,720 Speaker 1: four right when my parents took me from my eighth 538 00:28:04,760 --> 00:28:07,320 Speaker 1: grade graduation gift that was my gift from graduate eighth 539 00:28:07,359 --> 00:28:11,600 Speaker 1: grade was to go to P four. So I so 540 00:28:11,640 --> 00:28:15,880 Speaker 1: we walked around from the seaport. It was rainy January day, 541 00:28:15,960 --> 00:28:19,800 Speaker 1: like an eleven or twelve, and we didn't we had 542 00:28:19,800 --> 00:28:21,880 Speaker 1: no broker with us. We actually went into the Western, 543 00:28:21,920 --> 00:28:23,640 Speaker 1: went over the footbridge to the World Trade Center, went 544 00:28:23,640 --> 00:28:26,640 Speaker 1: into the Western to stay warm. The Western was relatively new, 545 00:28:27,359 --> 00:28:29,720 Speaker 1: and but I knew there was an MJL connor Is 546 00:28:29,720 --> 00:28:33,359 Speaker 1: down the way, and so went down to go open. 547 00:28:33,400 --> 00:28:35,119 Speaker 1: It was closed. It was like ten o'clock in the morning. 548 00:28:35,359 --> 00:28:37,760 Speaker 1: There was a grade door next to it, and we 549 00:28:37,840 --> 00:28:39,920 Speaker 1: opened it up. It was unlocked. And that's a whole 550 00:28:39,960 --> 00:28:43,520 Speaker 1: shell like what is this? This all the space and 551 00:28:44,120 --> 00:28:47,760 Speaker 1: long story shot that end of becoming Laft Boston. But 552 00:28:47,800 --> 00:28:50,960 Speaker 1: I was Tomnino unopening night at Tommy's. Came to my 553 00:28:51,040 --> 00:28:54,360 Speaker 1: opening night and spoke at it. And if it was 554 00:28:54,400 --> 00:28:59,600 Speaker 1: off a Tomnino, Laft Boston doesn't open on time. Because 555 00:28:59,640 --> 00:29:02,680 Speaker 1: we were cash strapped. We ran into some you know 556 00:29:02,760 --> 00:29:05,640 Speaker 1: overruns with construction like you always do. There were even 557 00:29:05,720 --> 00:29:08,120 Speaker 1: lick a venders taking their product off trucks and weren't 558 00:29:08,120 --> 00:29:11,640 Speaker 1: going to deliver it. Tom Anino made that night happen. 559 00:29:11,840 --> 00:29:15,000 Speaker 1: So the opening night of Laft Boston, it's a packed house, 560 00:29:15,000 --> 00:29:18,440 Speaker 1: family and friends. We got Tominino in the back. I 561 00:29:18,480 --> 00:29:20,920 Speaker 1: asked him to come to be the first president on stage, 562 00:29:20,960 --> 00:29:24,520 Speaker 1: so no one knows he's there. And I said, ladies, 563 00:29:24,840 --> 00:29:26,560 Speaker 1: you know, we'd got through up you know things, and 564 00:29:26,560 --> 00:29:29,120 Speaker 1: I said, I can't think of anybody betta to open 565 00:29:29,200 --> 00:29:32,880 Speaker 1: up this club than the best Tomanino impersonated there is. 566 00:29:33,200 --> 00:29:36,200 Speaker 1: So everybody assumes it's gonna be Sweeny, right, well, that's 567 00:29:36,280 --> 00:29:39,400 Speaker 1: brilliant and out comes. And the mayor wasn't doing well. 568 00:29:39,840 --> 00:29:42,280 Speaker 1: He was failing, you know, but he wasn't you know. 569 00:29:43,440 --> 00:29:45,000 Speaker 1: And he came out on the stage and I swear 570 00:29:45,040 --> 00:29:46,760 Speaker 1: to God, the place, the roof came off, the place, 571 00:29:46,920 --> 00:29:49,280 Speaker 1: the place exploded, give a standing ovation. It was one 572 00:29:49,320 --> 00:29:50,920 Speaker 1: of the It was one of the nicest things I've 573 00:29:50,920 --> 00:29:53,520 Speaker 1: ever seen. And it was just so, you know, So 574 00:29:53,680 --> 00:29:57,280 Speaker 1: he was he was a you know, a big part 575 00:29:57,280 --> 00:30:00,440 Speaker 1: of things and really encouraged me as well, and you know, 576 00:30:01,200 --> 00:30:02,720 Speaker 1: kept it was another way to keep another role in 577 00:30:02,760 --> 00:30:04,840 Speaker 1: the water. I mean a lot of elective officials are 578 00:30:04,880 --> 00:30:08,360 Speaker 1: attorneys or you know, you know, I was probably the 579 00:30:08,400 --> 00:30:11,560 Speaker 1: only elected official that's a comedy booker. But it enabled 580 00:30:11,560 --> 00:30:15,040 Speaker 1: me to you know, to you know, God forbid. I 581 00:30:15,120 --> 00:30:16,480 Speaker 1: used to tell this some on my colleagues who give 582 00:30:16,480 --> 00:30:18,880 Speaker 1: me crap about it. Good natured. You know, you're not 583 00:30:18,920 --> 00:30:22,360 Speaker 1: a full time city councilor it certainly was, but I said, 584 00:30:22,360 --> 00:30:24,160 Speaker 1: look at you can we think we walk on water 585 00:30:24,200 --> 00:30:27,080 Speaker 1: in our districts. We could lose the next election. You know, 586 00:30:27,240 --> 00:30:29,240 Speaker 1: our mortgage company still wants the money in the first 587 00:30:29,240 --> 00:30:31,040 Speaker 1: of the month. You still get to provide for your family. 588 00:30:31,080 --> 00:30:33,560 Speaker 1: You need something to to go. And that's the way 589 00:30:33,560 --> 00:30:36,000 Speaker 1: I've always thought of it. You know, no job is secure, 590 00:30:36,360 --> 00:30:38,800 Speaker 1: you know, forever, and you just need backup and another 591 00:30:38,880 --> 00:30:42,440 Speaker 1: skill and something so lack. Boston opens up and it 592 00:30:42,560 --> 00:30:44,640 Speaker 1: just opened up this whole world to you know, to 593 00:30:45,280 --> 00:30:47,360 Speaker 1: put us on a national map in terms of bookers 594 00:30:47,360 --> 00:30:49,440 Speaker 1: and agents and things like that. But something we really 595 00:30:49,640 --> 00:30:53,440 Speaker 1: had to work hard at. But it's opened up. You know, 596 00:30:53,520 --> 00:30:57,320 Speaker 1: so many the other clubs in Foxborough and at MGM 597 00:30:57,360 --> 00:31:00,560 Speaker 1: and the casino, and I just think, I tell everybody, 598 00:31:00,640 --> 00:31:03,720 Speaker 1: every young kid had just open the door. You never know, 599 00:31:03,840 --> 00:31:05,920 Speaker 1: we opened that great door. But we opened the door 600 00:31:05,920 --> 00:31:08,960 Speaker 1: of Tommy's. We did it NIX. If I don't open 601 00:31:09,000 --> 00:31:11,560 Speaker 1: up Tommies, NIX doesn't happen. And if Nick doesn't happen, 602 00:31:12,160 --> 00:31:15,040 Speaker 1: laugh guys don't come along, And if Laf doesn't happen, 603 00:31:15,400 --> 00:31:18,200 Speaker 1: then all these other clubs and messagets don't happen. And 604 00:31:18,240 --> 00:31:20,160 Speaker 1: then if you don't put yourself out there and network, 605 00:31:20,560 --> 00:31:23,480 Speaker 1: you know, out there, then Plano, Texas doesn't happen, and 606 00:31:23,560 --> 00:31:27,920 Speaker 1: Detroit doesn't happen, and potentially Louisville and Pittsburgh, and then 607 00:31:28,360 --> 00:31:30,560 Speaker 1: people just are calling out of the woodwork, you know. 608 00:31:30,600 --> 00:31:32,640 Speaker 1: And then we're booking these one night is at theaters 609 00:31:32,680 --> 00:31:35,200 Speaker 1: and tents and things like that. And I think what 610 00:31:35,360 --> 00:31:37,320 Speaker 1: kind of regarded that company. What we built up is 611 00:31:37,400 --> 00:31:41,280 Speaker 1: kind of the go to people in terms of comedy. 612 00:31:41,280 --> 00:31:46,360 Speaker 1: And I'm really lucky, you know, and to that's awesome. 613 00:31:46,400 --> 00:31:49,840 Speaker 1: We were talking too before we started to take a 614 00:31:49,880 --> 00:31:53,760 Speaker 1: walk about our mutual friend Skinny Vinnie O'Neal, who was 615 00:31:53,840 --> 00:31:56,760 Speaker 1: episode four actually have taken a walk and Vinnie in 616 00:31:56,840 --> 00:32:01,560 Speaker 1: that episode talks about how taken walk is one of 617 00:32:01,640 --> 00:32:06,080 Speaker 1: those wonderful things because it produces these, you know, serendipitous moments. 618 00:32:06,320 --> 00:32:09,640 Speaker 1: And it sounds like, you know, your metaphor of opening 619 00:32:09,680 --> 00:32:13,680 Speaker 1: doors is really about those you know, serendipitous moments, right 620 00:32:13,960 --> 00:32:17,240 Speaker 1: for sure, opening the doors, taking a chance. I tell 621 00:32:17,280 --> 00:32:19,560 Speaker 1: my own boys, My boys are fifteen and sixteen now, 622 00:32:20,200 --> 00:32:23,160 Speaker 1: and my son is my oldest son is the They're 623 00:32:23,200 --> 00:32:25,520 Speaker 1: different guys, you know, and but my oldest son is 624 00:32:25,520 --> 00:32:28,920 Speaker 1: the more reserved, you know, and quiet and a little 625 00:32:28,960 --> 00:32:31,640 Speaker 1: bit more hesitant done things. And he was a student 626 00:32:31,640 --> 00:32:34,760 Speaker 1: manager of the football team last year. A pretty good athlete, 627 00:32:34,760 --> 00:32:36,960 Speaker 1: but not a CM football player, but he became a 628 00:32:37,000 --> 00:32:39,640 Speaker 1: student manager for they were like, they could beat Division 629 00:32:39,640 --> 00:32:44,280 Speaker 1: three teams Catholic Memorial, and you know, he didn't. He 630 00:32:44,320 --> 00:32:46,800 Speaker 1: was thinking about quitting last summer. So my wife and 631 00:32:46,800 --> 00:32:49,000 Speaker 1: I had a conversation. We sat him down and said, Matthew, 632 00:32:49,880 --> 00:32:52,760 Speaker 1: stick with it. This team is gonna win championships. They're 633 00:32:52,800 --> 00:32:55,640 Speaker 1: potentially playing in Ironoland next year. And you walk into 634 00:32:55,640 --> 00:32:57,560 Speaker 1: college with that experience and knowing these people, I said, 635 00:32:57,560 --> 00:32:59,800 Speaker 1: you gonna be playing. You're working with guys right now 636 00:32:59,840 --> 00:33:02,480 Speaker 1: who going to be Division I college athletes and potentially 637 00:33:02,520 --> 00:33:05,720 Speaker 1: in the NFL. That opens up so many different windows 638 00:33:05,760 --> 00:33:08,880 Speaker 1: for you down the road. These relationships. It's all about relationships. 639 00:33:10,520 --> 00:33:12,600 Speaker 1: And he finally came to his senses and he did it. 640 00:33:12,640 --> 00:33:14,440 Speaker 1: And you know, threebviously ago, you get measured for a 641 00:33:14,440 --> 00:33:18,840 Speaker 1: Super Bowl ring, right, So it's just just getting out there, 642 00:33:18,920 --> 00:33:21,000 Speaker 1: is Tony v says Tony Visas his best advice for 643 00:33:21,040 --> 00:33:23,720 Speaker 1: young comics is, well, you're not gonna get better sitting 644 00:33:23,720 --> 00:33:26,959 Speaker 1: on your couch watching Murdercy wrote having Dorito's. The only 645 00:33:27,000 --> 00:33:28,280 Speaker 1: way you're gonna get better is being out in the 646 00:33:28,280 --> 00:33:30,680 Speaker 1: clubs and being on stage. And I tell comedians people 647 00:33:30,680 --> 00:33:32,800 Speaker 1: who want to do it is starting out, even if 648 00:33:32,800 --> 00:33:34,600 Speaker 1: you're not going to be on stage that night, come 649 00:33:34,600 --> 00:33:37,000 Speaker 1: to the club, hang out, don't be a pair in 650 00:33:37,040 --> 00:33:39,000 Speaker 1: the neck. But you never know when you get to 651 00:33:39,000 --> 00:33:42,920 Speaker 1: get called on. Be prepared, be ready, keep on writing 652 00:33:42,920 --> 00:33:45,640 Speaker 1: and working, and you'll get your shot because you stick 653 00:33:45,640 --> 00:33:47,520 Speaker 1: around long enough, they just can't possibly say no to 654 00:33:47,560 --> 00:33:50,480 Speaker 1: you anymore, right, And it's just sort of but it's 655 00:33:50,520 --> 00:33:53,520 Speaker 1: just getting out there in the world, and you know, 656 00:33:54,040 --> 00:33:58,560 Speaker 1: not being a hermit. You know, you know it's important, 657 00:33:58,960 --> 00:34:01,920 Speaker 1: it's important, and I think the people I've worked with 658 00:34:01,960 --> 00:34:05,480 Speaker 1: in comedy and the relationships and this people from Boston 659 00:34:05,640 --> 00:34:09,200 Speaker 1: all over the country, all over the country, and it 660 00:34:09,280 --> 00:34:12,560 Speaker 1: helps enormously. You know that you could be connected in 661 00:34:12,600 --> 00:34:16,239 Speaker 1: Los Angeles or you know, all over the world. I mean, 662 00:34:16,239 --> 00:34:18,399 Speaker 1: I went to a trip to Turkey twenty years ago 663 00:34:18,640 --> 00:34:20,600 Speaker 1: with a group of under forties. There was this non 664 00:34:20,600 --> 00:34:24,880 Speaker 1: partisan group that went out to Turkey to Turkey, and 665 00:34:24,960 --> 00:34:29,640 Speaker 1: we'd go into these meetings and they'd go around the 666 00:34:29,640 --> 00:34:31,759 Speaker 1: horn to introduce yourself. We met with every mayor and 667 00:34:31,800 --> 00:34:35,400 Speaker 1: governor in Cotton Mill, person in Turkey, and anchor and 668 00:34:35,480 --> 00:34:41,000 Speaker 1: Istanbul and sharn Lufa. Every single person went to Boston University. 669 00:34:41,800 --> 00:34:43,359 Speaker 1: So we do the ram the horn where are your people? 670 00:34:43,360 --> 00:34:45,120 Speaker 1: With one guy who's from Kansas City, one guy who 671 00:34:45,160 --> 00:34:47,719 Speaker 1: was from Kentucky, one woman was from San Francisco, another 672 00:34:47,719 --> 00:34:50,640 Speaker 1: woman from Virginia, and I'd say Boston and their eyes 673 00:34:50,680 --> 00:34:53,400 Speaker 1: were light up, and we talk about Boston for a 674 00:34:53,440 --> 00:34:56,080 Speaker 1: half hour, to the point where the kid, Jamie Comer, 675 00:34:56,080 --> 00:34:59,400 Speaker 1: who's now a congressman from Kentucky, we get out in 676 00:34:59,440 --> 00:35:02,440 Speaker 1: the cow third day, says, John, can you do me Fava? 677 00:35:02,880 --> 00:35:04,560 Speaker 1: I said, what's that? And he said, can you stop 678 00:35:04,600 --> 00:35:08,680 Speaker 1: sending you from Boston because you're holding up every meeting 679 00:35:08,719 --> 00:35:14,040 Speaker 1: by thirty minutes, you know. And we went in went 680 00:35:14,080 --> 00:35:16,480 Speaker 1: into some place in some you know, church or some palace, 681 00:35:16,920 --> 00:35:20,719 Speaker 1: and two guys, you know, a couple from the South End, 682 00:35:21,000 --> 00:35:23,040 Speaker 1: come out of the today recognize me as a city consul, 683 00:35:23,080 --> 00:35:25,440 Speaker 1: and people are like, this is in Turkey, right, It 684 00:35:25,560 --> 00:35:29,040 Speaker 1: just happens. It's a Boston thing. Yeah, which is really 685 00:35:29,040 --> 00:35:31,440 Speaker 1: which is? Which is? Which is really great? Yeah, Well, 686 00:35:31,719 --> 00:35:35,160 Speaker 1: we are very grateful that we're here in Boston. I'm 687 00:35:35,160 --> 00:35:38,720 Speaker 1: grateful to be taking a walk with you and hearing 688 00:35:38,760 --> 00:35:41,520 Speaker 1: your story and hearing about that ship that is no 689 00:35:41,600 --> 00:35:43,880 Speaker 1: longer here. But I could actually see it as you 690 00:35:44,000 --> 00:35:46,600 Speaker 1: describe it as we're taking a walk. It was. It 691 00:35:46,640 --> 00:35:48,960 Speaker 1: was such a great, memorable time and met so many 692 00:35:49,000 --> 00:35:51,520 Speaker 1: great some of them I'm still friends with. And then 693 00:35:51,520 --> 00:35:52,919 Speaker 1: at the end of the night we'd go hit golf 694 00:35:52,960 --> 00:35:56,560 Speaker 1: balls off the deck over it that way, and every 695 00:35:56,560 --> 00:35:57,920 Speaker 1: once in a while here a window breaking up from 696 00:35:57,960 --> 00:36:01,480 Speaker 1: your my shots. But it was I think I told 697 00:36:01,520 --> 00:36:04,600 Speaker 1: you the first the first two weeks I worked there, 698 00:36:05,640 --> 00:36:07,760 Speaker 1: I didn't I thought it was a replica boat I anything. 699 00:36:07,760 --> 00:36:10,520 Speaker 1: It was an actual boat, and so until I realized, 700 00:36:10,719 --> 00:36:12,760 Speaker 1: you know, I'm a little late to the party sometimes, 701 00:36:12,760 --> 00:36:15,000 Speaker 1: you know, sometimes I'd walk down into work and then 702 00:36:15,560 --> 00:36:17,399 Speaker 1: the same night I walk about of work and like, oh, 703 00:36:17,520 --> 00:36:22,680 Speaker 1: it really is in the water. I'm glad I didn't 704 00:36:22,719 --> 00:36:25,000 Speaker 1: get into physics or math and I'm more in the 705 00:36:25,080 --> 00:36:28,279 Speaker 1: entertainment and you know, gumy relations positions I'm in. Well, 706 00:36:28,320 --> 00:36:31,120 Speaker 1: we are all grateful. We're grateful for the laughs. We're 707 00:36:31,160 --> 00:36:33,400 Speaker 1: grateful for what you bring to the community and all 708 00:36:33,480 --> 00:36:36,080 Speaker 1: your great work. And this is one of the joys 709 00:36:36,080 --> 00:36:38,440 Speaker 1: of taking a walk, being able to catch up with 710 00:36:38,520 --> 00:36:40,839 Speaker 1: you and hear the story. So thank you for your time. 711 00:36:41,040 --> 00:36:43,560 Speaker 1: I'm grateful for this opportunity. I'm grateful to be from bust. 712 00:36:45,560 --> 00:36:49,160 Speaker 1: Taking a Walk with buzz Night is available on Spotify, 713 00:36:49,719 --> 00:37:00,960 Speaker 1: Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.