Christian Finnegan

PSNBC
Presents
Sob Stories
The Marquee

By Tara Koppel

For a high profile network such as NBC, remaining innovative has to be tough, sure, maybe not as tough as understanding the success of Clay Aiken… but still tough. In January of 2000, NBC gave birth to a beautiful and healthy concept named PSNBC. "PSNBC opened in Manhattan's Soho and quickly became known as the place where aspiring comedians, actors, writers and filmmakers could showcase their talents for NBC network executives…." I had been hearing about this "PSNBC" business and went downtown to The Marquee to discover what the entire buzz was about. At the Marquee, I learned that a drink and a laugh can still be made to order.

Being a comedian has to be tough, sure, well, maybe .….surely not as tough as the time I misplaced all my Bea Arthur trading cards…but tough. The comedians of Sob Stories not only had to be funny, they had to do it while discussing "Civic Pride." How does one cater to an audience with various political views? In politics we have a left wing and a right wing. I, however, prefer to side with the chicken wing.

Speaking of poultry, host Christian Finnegan must pack a lot of protein because he sure did carry a high level of energy. Christian's effervescent personality was contagious, like herpes, but in a more positive way. Embodying that much vigor has to be tough, but surely not as tough as the time a zookeeper offered me a position as a model, (I'm still trying to figure out why he insisted on keeping me caged all day,)…but still tough.

In comedy, it's not what you say but how you say it. Delivery and style is everything. We all know this, right? Sometimes the demeanor of a comic can be the difference between a good show and a bad one. I found myself laughing more at comedians Peter Hyman, Matt Goldich, Sara Barron, and Craig Baldo's presence than I did at their jokes. The delivery of some of their routines coated the
jokes with such an extra helping of funny that I don't know how they didn't chuckle at themselves Trying not to laugh at yourself on stage has to be tough, but surely not as tough as the year a neighborhood cop came to my front door, and with a quiver in his voice gave me the heartbreaking news that it was Love Connection's final season…but still tough.

As we are all aware, the best and healthiest way to build one's confidence and self-esteem is to violently laugh at those who have less than us. And since we all don't have the good fortune of having a hobo living outside our door in the frigid winter, the comedians of sob stories were a great alternative. And to laugh at them, well, there was nothing tough about that!