Dwight York
“My favorite underrated comic.” – Colin Quinn
“Jokes come in all sizes; sometimes the smaller, the better. Dwight York proves that on Quickies….one the most entertaining comedy releases of the year.” – Punchline Magazine
“It’s like water-boarding but with jokes.” – City Pages describing York’s non-stop rapid-fire delivery. (Presumably, the audience is laughing so continuously that they can barely breathe. Either that or the guy thought Dwight’s comedy was torture).
“Dwight York, as inventive as he is suggestive, is what Steven Wright would be if Wright had Robert Schimmel’s blue streak, and that’s a compliment to all three master comics.” – John Delery of Laughspin
“His offense: Being funny.” – Minneapolis StarTribune
“I was homeless for a while. But I didn’t want anyone to know, so I slept in front of a Ticketmaster.” – Dwight York
Bio
“I hope you like jokes,” may seem an absurd way for a comedian to begin a show, but those are the words Dwight York uses to introduce himself to his audience each night. Then the joke slinging begins, and never ends until he says “goodnight” a couple of hundred perfect one-liners later.
Dwight York has performed at many of the nation’s top comedy clubs and has appeared on the main stage at the Legendary Buffalo Chip Campground for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. He has also appeared at the Great American Comedy Festival and Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Twice he was a finalist in the San Francisco International Comedy Contest, and once he finished 2nd place at the Laughlin Laugh Fest.
York has been a favorite guest on the nationally syndicated The Bob and Tom Show and was featured on their CD, You Guys Rock. His CD Quickies (Stand Up! Records) was rated a “top ten comedy release of the year” by the Serious Comedy Site.
Laffspin says “Dwight York, as inventive as he is suggestive, is what Steven Wright would be if Wright had Robert Schimmel’s blue streak, and that’s a compliment to all three master comics.”
Extraordinary Experiences
Me, My Book, and Colin Quinn
I wrote the first version of the following blog post back in 2011 upon learning Colin Quinn mentioned my name on a local radio station. So yeah, the little YouTube clip is dated. As is this story. But it is my favorite. A little something to be proud of.
I met Colin Quinn twenty years ago at the Comedy Cellar. It was my first time in New York City, and I had just self-published my joke book, The Vile File. At the time, Quinn was the host of Weekend Update on Saturday Night Live. A mutual friend—SNL writer Tony Daro—introduced us.
Instead of shaking the famous comic’s hand, I reached into my pocket and pulled out my book, hoping to give him a copy. That was a major faux pas—I could tell by the look on his face. Fortunately, Tony was there to assure Colin I wasn’t a whack-job and he graciously accepted my little pocket-sized joke book.
The next night I returned to the Comedy Cellar. Colin was standing outside at the bottom of the stairs and waved for me to come down.
“I read that book,” he said. “You wrote some funny jokes.”
It was the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.
Quinn also said he had read some of my jokes to other people. Mentioned a few famous names. I only remember one as my mind went star-struck blank when he said, “Jerry Seinfeld.”
Of course, I had to ask, “Did he like them?”
Colin shook his head, “Naw.”
It was a roller-coaster of emotion talking to Colin Quinn that day. He wanted me to know I had written some funny jokes. He also wanted me to know that he shared some of my jokes with other great comics. Most importantly, he wanted me to know I should never hand somebody I just met a book. “That was weird,” he said.
It was weird. I know that now.
Colin Quinn taught me something important that day and I took the lesson to heart. Mostly, because I sensed that he thought I was someone worth giving advice to.
It was great to learn Colin Quinn remembered me. Meeting him was one of the biggest thrills of my career. I hope to see him again someday. This time I would just hope to shake his hand.
Colin Quinn has a new book. You should read it! http://colinquinn.com/