One Night Stand

Long before running writers’ rooms on television, John Riggi approached stand-up with the patient pacing of someone who cared far more about narrative structure than fast club rimshots. He leans into long-form stories, trusting low-key personal observations and easy charm to carry the half hour instead of firing off machine-gun setups.

The set aired on HBO in August 1992 as part of the fourth season of One Night Stand. At the time, Riggi was already at a career crossroads. A veteran road comic who had logged multiple appearances on Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show, he spent the first half of 1992 writing desk pieces for the short-lived The Dennis Miller Show.

His half-hour performance earned a CableACE Award nomination, but its biggest impact was practical. Riggi wore a tuxedo to HBO’s after-party for the ceremony specifically to track down Garry Shandling and lobby for a job, which led directly to a staff position on The Larry Sanders Show.