The Comic Who Had Two Career Choices And Took Them Both

I've always been fascinated with the stories of people's lives. We can learn a lot by listening to them. Dave Isay, the American radio producer, must agree. As founder of the oral history project Story Corps that began with one story booth in Grand Central Station, Isay has recorded the stories of countless people since 2003 because, as he says,"Everyone around you has a story the world needs to hear."

So when I first "met" and became better acquainted with the comedian Vince August, I knew he had a story I wanted you to hear.

Photo Credit: Vince August

I met Vince in a very unusual way. It was at the taping of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart where Vince is the warm-up comedian, the funnyman who comes out before the show to warm up the audience with laughter. How could he know that my biggest fear is public speaking and that I was fervently praying he'd ignore me sitting in the front row? He couldn't (and would it matter?) because he came over to me and pointedly asked:

What do you do for a living?
I write about disability.
Oh, good way to bring the audience down. (Chuckles from the audience)
(Gulp. Heart racing.) But I also write about ability.
Oh, okay. Let's give this young lady a big round of applause.

Phew. I dodged a bullet. And began learning about his humanity.

Through the brilliance of Facebook Vince August (his real name is Vince A. Sicari) and I became friends.

I soon learned that Vince is a Renaissance man. Not only is he the warm-up comedian for The Daily Show, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver and formerly The Colbert Report, he's also a regular at Manhattan's upscale comedy club Caroline's on Broadway.

But wait! His list of accomplishments doesn't end there. After attending Fordham University as an accounting major, he decided to go to law school instead, and while practicing law in New Jersey he was appointed as a municipal judge.

But being a judge and a comedian simultaneously didn't sit well with the New Jersey Supreme Court because he was forced to choose between the two when they handed down a decision that said his "..acting and comedy career were incompatible with the Code of Judicial Conduct." That decision made instant headlines. Take a look at this clip from CBS News This Morning:

As Vince said in a 2013 New York Times article, "I’m not surprised by the result, but I’m very disappointed. I take great pride in being a judge, and to give that up is disappointing.” So Vince continued to practice law and his work as a comedian? It got even better.

As Yogi Berra said, "When you come to a fork in the road, take it."

To better acquaint you with Vince I thought I'd ask him a few questions. But before I hand the reins over to him there are two more things I want to mention about why I think he's pretty special.

My husband and I went to see Vince perform at a local comedy club. After the performance he was selling t-shirts with all profits going directly to North Shore Animal League. An animal lover, Vince refuses to change his Facebook profile picture of his beloved dog, Spike, who passed away a few years ago. You have to love a guy who loves animals that much, right?

Photo Credit: Jack Hoffman

Gilda Radner. Comedy. Cancer.The great Gilda Radner's comic genius was cut too short by cancer. Following her death her husband, Gene Wilder, opened Gilda's Club to continue Gilda's dream that a person with cancer always be surrounded by people who care. Vince was asked to do a show at Gilda's Club "at the height of my notoriety to help sell tickets. At the time my dad was very sick, and I understood how important it was to have people around when you are going through a battle. It hit a chord. Not everyone has friends and family, and that's wrong. We are people, social in nature, and everyone should be surrounded with people who support them."

And now, heeeere's Vince!

Vince, can you tell us a little more about your story?

I knew I wanted to be an actor but my Sicilian immigrant parents never saw that as a viable career choice. I failed the first exam in my life in a business class during senior year in college. I approached the professor, and he gave me an opportunity for extra credit in the form of a mock trial in front of the class. The presentation garnered laughs, serious support and applause. My professor told me, "If you don't go to law school you are making the biggest mistake of your life. Next thing I know I'm in law school. That mock trial was nothing more than me being an actor.

Did you always want to be a comedian?

I wanted to be a comedian since childhood. The only reward I ever wanted for good grades was being allowed to stay up and watch Johnny Carson. Then HBO came along with comedy specials and I knew I wanted to do that! I loved Richard Pryor without a doubt. There was Eddie Murphy in his "Delirious" special, Sam Kinison cracked me up. I love Hollywood, and I've memorized movies. I would impersonate actors' voices and mannerisms.

I took a class in comedy to give me tips and fine tune. I also saw the "graduation show" would be at Caroline's. The instructor tried to change my whole set. He requested a written set before our show but I gave him a dummy one I watched everyone bomb, until me. I did well enough to have someone book me at another club, then another and then another. It took about 12 years but eventually I got asked back to Caroline's where I am now a regular.

How did you arrive at the difficult decision between being a judge or a comedian?

I sacrificed way too much to back away at that moment. I walked away from six figure salaries to struggle as a solo practicing attorney so I could audition, travel, do TV sports, etc. At that point I estimate having left seven figures worth of earning behind to chase this dream. How could I quit now?

I had been approached by a production company in LA about a TV show. I was doing warm-up as a backup on The Daily Show, and many considered me one of the best improv comics in New York City. If I was delusional and nothing was happening in entertainment, this would be a non-story. I would still a judge.

What type of law do you practice?

I have a solo practice in River Edge where I do criminal defense, divorce, personal injury, contract litigation, real estate closings and simple wills. It's stressful and the work is tedious. Clients don't always pay and I have to chase money that I've earned. We all do.

Attorneys have tremendous egos and think we have to be adversaries. I think it's ridiculous! We are problem solvers and should be working to help people find solutions and common ground, not war and profit from one another.

I agree with you there, Vince. I'm surrounded by lawyers in my family, including my husband. They are all gentlemen lawyers and I dislike when all attorneys are negatively characterized. There are good ones and bad ones. You are so right about the ridiculous need to be adversarial.

You can read more about Vince and the New Jersey Court's decision in this article from Playboy.

Stop by the Gilda's Club website to offer support of their work. Together we make a difference in the lives of cancer patients and their loved ones.

The North Shore Animal League is a favorite of mine. It's the largest no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization. Donate today to help save our furry friends, or adopt an animal for some unconditional love!

Many thanks to Vince August for his friendship, humanity and (of course) his comedy!

A Tribute To A Rebirth And A Death From The Past Week (VIDEOS)

Two events that happened this week touched my heart in different ways. To pay tribute, I offer you this quick post.

The entire free world knows by now that Stephen Colbert will be replacing David Letterman on The Late Show. Like Jon Stewart said, I can't wait to walk by The Ed Sullivan Theatre in Manhattan to see Colbert's name on the marquee.

I know he'll be dropping his The Colbert Report personae for the new show, and jumping back into his own skin. Here's one of the reasons why I love him so much: he brilliantly played his character to perfection. My favorite example of doing what he did best was when he was a guest on The O'Reilly Factor.

At the age of two, Mickey Rooney had already made his first public appearance in his parents vaudeville act. Multi-talented , Mickey could sing, dance and act, and so began the Hollywood legend's long career. I loved him best in Boys Town with Spencer Tracy, National Velvet with a young Elizabeth Taylor and an older Mickey playing the real-life character, Bill Sackter, who spent more than 40 years in an institution and now experiences life and love for the first time in the movie, Bill.

Mickey also had a bit part in Breakfast at Tiffany's as the offbeat upstairs neighbor of Audrey Hepburn, and joined other Hollywood legends such as Buddy Hackett, Sid Caesar, Milton Berle and Jonathan Winters in It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.

RIP, Mickey, and thanks for the entertainment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieiQ3c6dn6k

I hope you all have a fabulous week.

My Day Of Zen: Being In The Audience For The Daily Show

At the risk of sounding ridiculous and terribly insincere, yesterday was one of the most memorable days in my life because I had the chance to be part of the audience for a taping of my favorite television show, The Daily Show.

Along with my brother and sister-in-law I spent the day in Manhattan's Hells Kitchen where the studio is located, picking up our tickets, eating a leisurely lunch and then returning to the studio.

Jon Stewart has always been a favorite of mine since replacing Craig Kilborn on The Daily Show, changing its direction toward seeing the hypocrisy in journalism while also finding the emotion in key topical issues.

I continue to be impressed by how bright he is. He has to be. Whether interviewing heads of state, renowned journalists, musicians or businessmen, Stewart always holds his own while keeping the interview entertaining and whimsical.

Yesterday I was not disappointed.

When I walked from the lobby into the main studio, my first steps felt as if I was walking onto hallowed ground.

Sitting in the front row, it was fun watching the crew and getting warmed up by the comedian Vince August. August engaged with the audience, using his own brand of humor to get us roaring with laughter.

NOTE: I should have thought twice before he asked me what I do for a living. When I told him I write he asked me what I write about. When I told him disability (I should have said midlife; it's funnier) he said, "Oh, good way to bring the audience down." Then I added, "but about ability", so he made a joke (I think I must have been nervous because I don't remember what he said), and then he asked the audience to give me a round of applause.

Phew.

Jon Stewart is a regular guy, only he's so much more than regular. When he first walked onto the stage, he graciously walked a few feet in front of us, asking us for any questions, telling us some funny stories, and after the show he came back to thank us for coming.

He's a real mensch.

With his guest, Nate Silver, the statistician and writer who analyzes sports and elections (think Moneyball), Jon conducted an interview that let us in on the funny side of algorithms, while allowing us to see the human side of genius.

My one regret is that I didn't have the nerve to say something I thought would be funny but complimentary. It would have gone something like this:

"When you helped to induct Bruce Springsteen into the Kennedy Center Honors, you said Bruce must be the illegitimate child of James Brown and Bob Dylan. I think you must be the illegitimate child of Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks."

Do you think he would have laughed?

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