Living with Legends

Since the Gotham Comedy Club opened we at the Chelsea Hotel have had to put up with vans and tractor trailers lined up from one end of the street to the other, blocking us in and cutting off our light and air.  But what the hell — we’re used to it from the film crews shooting at the hotel.   And I must admit the crowds waiting on line are a lot more orderly than those for the club that used to be in that space.

But now, the comedians have taken to camping out on the street in front of the hotel!  There they were last night with blankets, chairs, the whole works waiting for their turn to audition.  Actually the clowns started assembling while it was still light.  It went down into the 20s last night, so I guess my only question is: is it worth freezing your silly ass off just to get up on stage and make a fool out of yourself for 2 minutes.  — Ed Hamilton