Bobby Collins
A hyper-polished New York club veteran who never stops moving.
1 special · 1993
Get an email when there's a new special. You'll need a Google account.
Bobby Collins works a room like a man who expects the microphone to be taken away from him at any second. He stalks the stage, keeping the mic close to his mouth while his free hand chops the air to punctuate the beat. His rhythm is pure old-school setup-punch, delivered in a thick Queens accent. When a story reaches its peak, he will drop his voice to a raspy whisper or freeze in wide-eyed disbelief. He projects a kind of aggressive exasperation, complaining about modern inconveniences with obvious affection.
Specials
-
A Pair of Jokers — Margaret Cho & Bobby Collins with Margaret Cho
Two distinct nineties comics split a half-hour club showcase.
Showtime · 27 min
On stage
He is a living bridge to the era of comedy club booms and cable variety shows. After taking over VH-1’s Stand-Up Spotlight from Rosie O’Donnell, he spent years opening for acts like Frank Sinatra, Cher, and Dolly Parton. He remains a staple of the club circuit, putting in the kind of road hours younger comics study. He paces a suburban strip mall stage with the exact same urgency he brings to a theater.
The material relies on the friction between his big-city sensibilities and the rest of the country. He gets endless mileage out of being a fast-talking New Yorker bewildered by the slow pace of Florida or the polite quiet of the Midwest. He doesn’t write knotty, conceptual premises; he builds momentum through physical commitment. If he talks about a bad flight, he physically contorts himself to become the cramped seat and the annoying passenger.
Before comedy, he worked as an executive in the New York garment district for Calvin Klein. He gave up the corporate track for the clubs, and you can still see both the executive polish and the street-level hustle in how he handles a room.
Turning points
-
1980s
Leaving Calvin Klein for Stand-Up Comedy
Collins gave up a secure and lucrative position as vice president at fashion house Calvin Klein to tour full-time as a stand-up comedian.
-
–
Succeeding Rosie O'Donnell on Standup Spotlight
Rosie O'Donnell specifically requested Bobby Collins to take over hosting duties on the television series VH-1's Standup Spotlight.
At a glance
Fans also like
-
Ray RomanoBoth honed their craft in the New York club circuit around the same era, developing accessible, family-oriented observational comedy.
-
Jerry SeinfeldBoth contemporaries came up through New York clubs emphasizing tight observational humor grounded in everyday experiences.
Also on screen
- I Am Comic
- –
- VH-1's Standup Spotlight
A clip to start with
The Difference Between New York And Florida. Bobby Collins