Evident by his run on “The Weekend Update” on “Saturday Night Live,” where he once played a drunkard on St. Patrick’s Day, Colin Quinn has long proven his knack for culturally-charged comedy. From Hollywood films to countless specials and one-man shows, the Irish-American star has carved out his spot amongst the best. Now, Quinn is ready to embrace his heritage once more at the now sold-out Craic Comedy Fest alongside comedians Aiden O’Kelly and John Mulrooney. I spoke with Quinn ahead of the event, and we discussed his humor across both sides of the pond.Quinn’s grandparents arrived in the U.S. from Belfast, the comic himself was born and raised in Park Slope, Brooklyn. As a current Park Slope resident myself, I was curious to know how the cozy neighborhood has evolved over the years. “Everyone was always out on the street,” Quinn said. “It’s not like that as much anymore.”
While, much like other parts of the city, Park Slope has traded its grit for stability, Quinn has often pointed out the subdued version of New York that has developed. “I miss the personalities of the people, I don’t miss the pimps lined up like city bikes outside Port Authority,” Quinn once told Stephen Colbert in an interview on the “The Late Show.”
A New Yorker through and through, Quinn’s sharp and cynical humor is a clear result of his surroundings. However, his Irishness is not lost in his wit. “I like to think [my humor] comes from both,” he said. “There’s a lot of sarcasm on both sides.” Quinn was quick to point out the similarities in the Irish and New Yorkers, highlighting the sardonic nature they have in common. “Sigmund Freud used to say the Irish are impervious to therapy,” he said in an interview with Conan O’Brien. “Our whole life is being criticized constantly.” Whether it’s the Irish ripping the piss out of each other as the secret sixth form of love language or a New Yorker screaming at you to get out of their way on 42nd Street, there’s a thick skin encasing both islands.
Despite the parallels in disposition, Quinn is aware of the contrast between Irish and American comedy on a broader spectrum. “It’s funny, I feel like people in Ireland and England have more of a sense of irony,” he said. “I think they’re more ironic, so there is a difference.” While Ireland and the UK have adopted a wry banter, the U.S. are more equipped to a direct and earnest style of communication. “I just saw this thing about American and British troops that were trained together, and the American troops love that kind of positive reinforcement thing,” he said. “I think sometimes that bleeds over into comedy too.”
However, Quinn is not one to bend his voice towards a specific sense of humor, something he believes is a no-go for a comedian. “You can’t change your perspective regardless of who you’re talking to,” he said.
As Quinn gears up for the Craic Comedy Fest, his appreciation for the cause is anything but satirical. “Terence [Mulligan] is just great,” he said about the Craicfest organizer. “I love it, for a lot of reasons. A lot of Irish reasons. I just love it!” With our conversation in mind, Quinn was curious to see how audiences will react to his humor. “It’ll be a good experiment to see what the American-Irish versus the Irish-Irish laugh at. I’ll try to keep my eyes open for that.”
Colin Quinn will take the stage in New York on Friday, May 30, at the Wolfhound in Astoria, as part of Craic Session, with additional appearances from Aiden O’Kelly and John Mulrooney. Tickets are currently sold out, but people can join a wait list by emailing THE411@thecraicfest.com Doors open 7pm. Show starts at 8pm sharp. Funded by the Cultural Immigration Initiative and Council Member Julie Won.
