Fresh out of the TAG oven comes a brand new Baker's Dozen. Our newest participant is none other than actor/comedian/writer Jimmy Brogan! Jimmy worked as a writer on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" for nearly a decade, and he still tours the country doing stand-up. Oh, and he also starred in a 1979 sitcom on ABC. He's a real pro, and his answers are pretty damn funny. So please enjoy these 13 questions with Jimmy Brogan!
1) Please tell us how you got your start in showbiz.
When I was 8 years old I was frightened by a serious person and I have been funny ever since.
2)In 1979 you starred in your own sitcom called "Out of the Blue," where you played an inept angel who teaches a group of children life lessons. In the premiere episode, Robin Williams appeared as Mork. Is it safe to assume that maybe you were high on some of Robin's cocaine when you agreed to star in "Out of the Blue?"
The bigger question is what was Robin thinking appearing on my show.
Jimmy and Robin Williams cracking wise back in the 70's.
3)Okay, but in all seriousness, in addition to the Mork appearance, your character on "Out of the Blue" also appeared in an episode of "Happy Days." So does that make "Out of the Blue" a spin off of "Happy Days" or of "Mork & Mindy?" Or neither?
Neither. Those appearances fit under the category “cross promoting.” I was promoting and they were cross.
<------- Ratings.
4)After nine years of being a writer and talent coordinator on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" you left "to pursue other projects." Was that code for "Jay Leno just fired me?"
No, it was code for “The Japanese are going to bomb Pearl Harbor.” Unfortunately, it was decoded 60 years too late.
The truth is we couldn’t agree on the money. After nine years I said you are going to have to pay me.
5)You starred in your own sitcom, you do stand up, and you were a writer on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno." Which gig is your favorite?
It’s like having to choose which is your favorite child. Fortunately, I don’t have any children.
6) It's time for TAG’s "Either, Or!"
• Iron Jay or Mr. Brain = Headlines
• Improv or Laugh Factory = Both great. I like to do improv at the Laugh Factroy.
• Dodgers or Red Sox = Born in the Brighton MA. (At St. Elizabeth’s Hospital. That is the hospital that St. Elsewhere was based on. How could I not go into show biz?) The Crimson Hose.
• Budd Friedman or Mitzi Shore = Strychnine or Arsenic.
• Jaywalking or Headlines = Mr. Brain.
• CNN or FOX News = Don’t have cable. Waiting to see if it catches on.
• PC or Mac = Not that up to date. Just got a Univac.
7) Did you secretly watch "The Late Show With David Letterman" when you were in the privacy of your own home?
I live by myself so why would I have to watch it secretly?
8)You still frequently do stand up at LA's clubs, and appear as part of a package of seven top comics in The Good Humor Men. Any good road stories?
The Good Humor Men were doing a show in Dayton. We were all staying in the same hotel. Mark Schiff, took the “Do not disturb “ sign off my door and put up a sign “Deaf -Knock real loud.” So at 6 o’clock in the morning the maid was pounding at my door. Later in the day he put up a sign “Drop all dry cleaning off here.”
9)In 2002 it was rumored that Jay Leno gave each of his long standing staff members $10,000 to commemorate his 10th year as a host. Did you get in on that action?
I left after nine years. Good financial move.
10)What are some of your favorite shows on TV right now?
24, Prison Break, Jeopardy, My Name is Earl, The Office. I’ve got to get cable.
11)You are billed as The Clean Comedian and The Catholic Comedian. Who are some of your favorite comics working today, and are you turned off by "dirty" comedians?
Jeremy Hotz, Kathleen Madigan, Orny Adams, David J. Nash, Maryellen Hooper. They are all filthy.
Jimmy making people laugh.
12) If you could be adopted by any TV family, past or present, who would it be?
The Pruitts of Southampton. (Too Obscure? A short-lived sitcom starring Phyllis Diller)
A little before TAG's time.
13)Here are a list of names. Please jot down your thoughts:
*Jay Leno = Great comic.
*Jerry Senfeld = Great comic..
*Mark Schiff = Great Comic, except don’t stay in a hotel with him.
*Helen Kushnick = A less funny comic.
*Johnny Carson = The best.
*Robin Williams = Unbelievable.
*Roberta Kantola (Tonight Show stage manager) = Believable.
*Jack Rollins = The greatest manager ever.
*David Letterman = A Jack Rollins client.
Pretty good, eh? Props to Jimmy for putting up with our silly batch of questions, and answering them with such a good sense of humor. Make sure you check out Jimmy's Website, and try to catch him on tour with The Good Humor Men.
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