Next Wednesday a cornucopia of comedians (Dave Attell, Louis C.K., Artie Lange and more) will gather at Town Hall for the The Gerry Red Wilson Foundation Comedy Benefit. Greg Fitzsimmons is one of the comedians responsible for putting together the show, which will raise awareness about meningitis (a disease that struck three people in his life, one of which was Gerry Red Wilson). You can buy tickets here.
When not making one of his many appearances on late night TV, or taking the stage for stand-up, Fitzsimmons is a writer. He's won four Emmys for his television writing; most recently he penned the HBO series "Lucky Louie". We asked him a few questions this week in anticipation of his event.
How did you become involved in the Gerry Red Wilson benefit?
I created the Foundation with Gerry’s fiancée and cousins after he died. We work together every year trying to build it while also keeping the integrity of the comedy night. The purpose of the Foundation is to raise money to fight the disease, raise awareness about the disease and honor Gerry by doing the best comedy show we can in front of his hundreds of friends and family.
Can you tell us about him?
Gerry was one of my best friends. He taught school in Queens and finally got huge success as a comedian in his 30’s. But he finished out the school year even though he was developing his own TV show because he wanted his students to do well on their college achievement tests.
Some of my best memories are times I spent with my wife and Gerry and Kathleen. He was bigger than life and made everyone feel special. A true New Yorker who put family and friends and having a good time ahead of everything. He had so much energy that you just wanted to be around him.
Can you tell us how meningitis has affected you personally?
Gerry’s death was so sudden and mysterious that we all wanted to know more about it and do something about it. This made us feel at the time like there was something we could do.
Three years after Gerry’s death my 9 month old son got Meningitis and I spent 3 days in the emergency room holding his limp body and wondering with my wife if he was going to live. He came out fine, but 3 years after that my wife got Meningitis and was also treated immediately and is fine. Needless to say, I am spending way too much time around these Meningitis people.
What should people know about the disease?
There are two types of Meningitis: Bacterial and Viral. Bacterial is very dangerous, viral is just painful. The symptoms are stiffness in the neck, high fever and often an earache. It is painful and if you experience these symptoms you should immediately go to your doctor. The only way to diagnose it is with a spinal tap and it must be treated with antibiotics in the spinal chord. The incidence of Meningitis is on the rise especially in college dorms or other areas where you have a lot of people living in close quarters. Speak to your doctor about making sure you are immunized.
You've performed on both Letterman and Conan, what is that experience like as a stand-up comedian?
It is like training for a big game. For weeks you are solely focused on this 5-minute set. There is not nearly the recognition from a TV spot that there used to be, but to me it remains very important to do well for myself. It’s a way of marking progress.
Do you have any stories from those appearances?
I’ve done 4 Lettermans, 6 Conans, 6 Kilborns, 4 Tonight Shows and 3 Kimmels. I could tell you who the other guests were on every show, what jokes I did and a good story from each.
The first time I was scheduled to do Letterman I was so nervous I literally couldn’t breathe. My agent grabbed my shoulders and tried to calm me down. Luckily I ended up getting bumped because Marv Albert told too many sports stories. Two weeks later I did it and had the best set of my life. I walked offstage and started crying. Faith Hill was the next guest and she hugged me.
As a writer, did you just go on strike?
I walked the picket line for 3 months. It was really depressing, but it also empowered a lot of writers to take more control of what we create. I never want to be in that situation again where I have to wait for the salespeople of the product I make to agree to sell it to the public for me. I want to do more things on the Internet and independently on video etc. That being said I’m glad the strike is over and relations seem to be very good between everybody again.
In the last 3 weeks I sold 2 TV shows, shot a pilot for VH1 with Andy Dick, and next week I am shooting an episode of “CSI”. We are officially back to work.
What was that like, day to day?
I would show up and see 10 hilarious smart writers walking in circles. We would make each other laugh and plot the future of the industry with out studio involvement. Then I would go home depressed.
How do the west and east coast comedy scenes differ?
NY is about the work. Being a great comic who is respected by peers and evolves into a singular powerful voice. . LA is about trying to convince unfunny network executives that you are funny and then getting notes from them on your material. Then you die inside and tell people you will move back to NY someday but you never do because you haven’t “Made it” yet. Then you get a dog that you walk a lot, join AA and start a blog that you convince yourself is going to make you money someday. You die penniless and people come to your funeral but leave early because there isn’t enough “Industry” there.
I love it out here.
Do you have a favorite up and coming comedian right now?
No such thing as “up and coming” or “New” or overnight sensation” etc. New comics are rarely interesting and when they are it takes one who has integrity and good healthy anger to avoid the lure of selling out his talent before he becomes very good by just practicing his craft.
I like John Mulrooney a lot.
Please share your strangest "only in New York" story.
I was walking through Tompkins Square Park in the 1980’s with my brother and I heard a guy singing “If Life was but a dream (sha-boom)”. His voice was so deep and resonant but I couldn’t see where it was coming from. A few steps later I noticed a pair of legs sticking out of a steel garbage can. A homeless guy was searching for some food. And singing.
Only in fucking New York Kids.
Do you have a favorite spot to check out comedy when you're in town?
I like the old comedy clubs: Comedy Cellar, The Comic Strip, Standup NY, Carolines.
A favorite restaurant?
Used to like to eat at 2nd ave deli with my friend Michael O’Brien. (It closed).
I like La Caridad (Cuban food on w. 78th st near Standup NY) or H&H Bagles (2nd ave near The Comic Strip) or The Olive Tree (Upstairs form The Comedy Cellar).
