1 00:00:05,130 --> 00:00:07,025 (audience laughing) - You're huge in Europe, 2 00:00:07,049 --> 00:00:09,027 you're even knighted by the queen of England. 3 00:00:09,051 --> 00:00:10,904 She dubbed you Cirrhosis of Liver. 4 00:00:10,928 --> 00:00:12,780 (audience laughs) 5 00:00:12,804 --> 00:00:13,741 You're such a drunk, 6 00:00:13,765 --> 00:00:16,159 when alcohol does its taxes it lists you as a dependent. 7 00:00:16,183 --> 00:00:18,536 (audience laughs) 8 00:00:18,560 --> 00:00:20,121 - [Dave] While best known as the guy 9 00:00:20,145 --> 00:00:22,290 from the Comedy Central roasts, 10 00:00:22,314 --> 00:00:24,959 Greg Giraldo found a cult audience who responded 11 00:00:24,983 --> 00:00:28,713 to his unique perspective and rare intelligence. 12 00:00:28,737 --> 00:00:30,632 - I think that Greg, obviously, 13 00:00:30,656 --> 00:00:32,991 is considered a comic's comic. 14 00:00:34,201 --> 00:00:36,304 - He had respect from everyone, he earned it. 15 00:00:36,328 --> 00:00:37,931 - Wow. 16 00:00:37,955 --> 00:00:40,707 - Greg's blessing and Greg's curse was he was brilliant. 17 00:00:42,167 --> 00:00:44,437 - ing Harvard Law School grad. 18 00:00:44,461 --> 00:00:46,356 - [Dave] A two time Ivy league graduate, 19 00:00:46,380 --> 00:00:49,359 he left a career in law to pursue comedy. 20 00:00:49,383 --> 00:00:50,818 - Not only was he very funny, 21 00:00:50,842 --> 00:00:55,949 but like the track record of his life was that of success. 22 00:00:55,973 --> 00:00:58,618 - Is it okay to say that I'm a little worried about you. 23 00:00:58,642 --> 00:01:00,203 (audience laughs) 24 00:01:00,227 --> 00:01:02,288 - [Dave] But he struggled with his addictions 25 00:01:02,312 --> 00:01:04,082 and his own inner demons. 26 00:01:04,106 --> 00:01:05,083 - Do you know much of a... ing loser 27 00:01:05,107 --> 00:01:06,775 that makes me feel like, sir? 28 00:01:08,151 --> 00:01:11,381 - He would be depressed about his lack of success, 29 00:01:11,405 --> 00:01:14,926 even though his success was pretty good, I thought. 30 00:01:14,950 --> 00:01:16,970 He would be about to be in a fist fight 31 00:01:16,994 --> 00:01:19,347 with someone I'm like, "What the... are you doing?" 32 00:01:19,371 --> 00:01:21,766 - He called me around noon and he said, 33 00:01:21,790 --> 00:01:23,560 "I think I have a drinking problem." 34 00:01:23,584 --> 00:01:25,770 - He was brilliant, very smart. 35 00:01:25,794 --> 00:01:28,982 You can't outsmart addiction, you can't outsmart it. 36 00:01:29,006 --> 00:01:33,176 - So comedy world lost a good man and a great comic. 37 00:01:33,969 --> 00:01:37,699 - He, was in many ways, the Kurt Cobain of comedy. 38 00:01:37,723 --> 00:01:40,660 - Part of you is like shocked when that phone call happens. 39 00:01:40,684 --> 00:01:41,661 And the other part of you is like, 40 00:01:41,685 --> 00:01:44,539 "Oh, okay, I guess it was today is the day," you know? 41 00:01:44,563 --> 00:01:47,750 - If people could only ing work on their shit, 42 00:01:47,774 --> 00:01:51,087 they would not be so troubled and dead. 43 00:01:51,111 --> 00:01:52,880 - [Dave] Adored by his peers, 44 00:01:52,904 --> 00:01:54,299 plagued by self-loathing. 45 00:01:54,323 --> 00:01:55,341 - Thank you. 46 00:01:55,365 --> 00:01:58,553 - [Dave] What went on inside the mind of Greg Giraldo? 47 00:01:58,577 --> 00:02:01,639 - Thanks, I better not suck. (audience applauds) 48 00:02:01,663 --> 00:02:02,765 - [Announcer] Ladies and gentlemen, 49 00:02:02,789 --> 00:02:04,058 you're about to be entertained. 50 00:02:04,082 --> 00:02:06,269 - [Woman] Getting the laugh is the greatest addiction. 51 00:02:06,293 --> 00:02:07,478 - [Man] They want more of it, they want more of it. 52 00:02:07,502 --> 00:02:08,688 - [Man] She was getting death threats. 53 00:02:08,712 --> 00:02:10,857 - It (beeps) with your head. - He's out of his skull. 54 00:02:10,881 --> 00:02:13,008 - That's what took her down. - This is a crazy story. 55 00:02:16,345 --> 00:02:17,989 - Put your hands together for Greg Giraldo, 56 00:02:18,013 --> 00:02:19,073 give him a big hand. 57 00:02:19,097 --> 00:02:20,992 {\an8}- [Dave] Greg Giraldo grew up in Queens 58 00:02:21,016 --> 00:02:22,118 {\an8}in the mid sixties. 59 00:02:22,142 --> 00:02:23,995 {\an8}- Everyone assumes that I'm Italian, but I'm not. 60 00:02:24,019 --> 00:02:25,413 {\an8}My parents are from South America. 61 00:02:25,437 --> 00:02:27,332 {\an8}And when people hear that, they always react the same way. 62 00:02:27,356 --> 00:02:29,500 Like, "Wow, man, you don't seem Hispanic." 63 00:02:29,524 --> 00:02:31,502 (audience laughs) 64 00:02:31,526 --> 00:02:32,795 Like they're giving me the biggest compliment 65 00:02:32,819 --> 00:02:33,820 they could think of. 66 00:02:35,030 --> 00:02:38,134 - [Dave] The Giraldo family shared one key priority. 67 00:02:38,158 --> 00:02:40,011 {\an8}- Education's not just with our dad, 68 00:02:40,035 --> 00:02:42,805 {\an8}but with our entire family, it's been a huge focus. 69 00:02:42,829 --> 00:02:45,099 {\an8}- His parents helped him get into Regis High School, 70 00:02:45,123 --> 00:02:47,185 {\an8}One of the most prestigious high schools in the country. 71 00:02:47,209 --> 00:02:48,728 {\an8}- You know, scholarship, 72 00:02:48,752 --> 00:02:50,605 it's where Fauci went to high school, 73 00:02:50,629 --> 00:02:52,982 it's where Colin Jost went to high school. 74 00:02:53,006 --> 00:02:55,818 It puts you on a track for a level 75 00:02:55,842 --> 00:02:58,196 of success that many can't understand. 76 00:02:58,220 --> 00:03:01,741 - [Dave] Naturally gifted, Giraldo excelled at school. 77 00:03:01,765 --> 00:03:03,451 {\an8}- He's the prodigal son. 78 00:03:03,475 --> 00:03:05,370 {\an8}He is the first born in his family. 79 00:03:05,394 --> 00:03:07,080 He goes to Columbia. 80 00:03:07,104 --> 00:03:09,916 - His counselors recommended that he apply for law school. 81 00:03:09,940 --> 00:03:12,418 And, without studying, he took the LSAT 82 00:03:12,442 --> 00:03:15,922 and scored in the 99th percentile of all test takers. 83 00:03:15,946 --> 00:03:18,966 - [Dave] And so Greg Giraldo went to law school, 84 00:03:18,990 --> 00:03:20,885 and not just any law school. 85 00:03:20,909 --> 00:03:23,054 - He graduated from Harvard Law. 86 00:03:23,078 --> 00:03:25,473 He attended around the same time that future president 87 00:03:25,497 --> 00:03:28,726 Barack Obama was at Harvard Law School as well. 88 00:03:28,750 --> 00:03:31,437 - [Dave] After securing two Ivy League degrees. 89 00:03:31,461 --> 00:03:32,897 Giraldo took a job at one 90 00:03:32,921 --> 00:03:35,340 of the most prestigious law firms in America. 91 00:03:36,383 --> 00:03:40,363 {\an8}- Hi, I'm Steve Klein, I was Greg's best friend. 92 00:03:40,387 --> 00:03:43,074 Greg and I met at Skadden Arps, the law firm. 93 00:03:43,098 --> 00:03:44,992 He dropped by to introduce himself, 94 00:03:45,016 --> 00:03:46,786 and instead of saying, "Hey, I'm Greg," 95 00:03:46,810 --> 00:03:48,413 he came and pretended like he 96 00:03:48,437 --> 00:03:49,956 was an ambassador for the firm. 97 00:03:49,980 --> 00:03:51,124 You know, sold the firm, 98 00:03:51,148 --> 00:03:54,877 and how exciting it is to be here and so forth. 99 00:03:54,901 --> 00:03:57,964 And it was, clearly, he was being ironic. 100 00:03:57,988 --> 00:03:59,424 - He did not want to be a lawyer. 101 00:03:59,448 --> 00:04:02,677 It wasn't this calling he had as a young child. 102 00:04:02,701 --> 00:04:05,430 - I remember once, Greg strolls in around two, 103 00:04:05,454 --> 00:04:07,265 and I'm like, "Dude, what are you doing? 104 00:04:07,289 --> 00:04:08,725 You know, they've been looking for you." 105 00:04:08,749 --> 00:04:11,769 And he told this story, he had been out with his friend, 106 00:04:11,793 --> 00:04:14,647 they were drinking, and it sounded like a good idea 107 00:04:14,671 --> 00:04:17,692 to go to the open audition for "Tony and Tina's Wedding," 108 00:04:17,716 --> 00:04:20,236 which was this very schlocky show. 109 00:04:20,260 --> 00:04:21,155 - One of the directors said, 110 00:04:21,179 --> 00:04:22,613 "You know, you're really funny," 111 00:04:22,637 --> 00:04:24,866 and that sort of sparked his interest. 112 00:04:24,890 --> 00:04:26,951 - [Dave] Bored stiff by the corporate world, 113 00:04:26,975 --> 00:04:29,495 Giraldo started hanging out in New York's thriving, 114 00:04:29,519 --> 00:04:31,873 early 90s open mic scene. 115 00:04:31,897 --> 00:04:34,333 {\an8}- Hi, I'm Tom Papa, I am a comedian. 116 00:04:34,357 --> 00:04:38,921 {\an8}I met Greg Giraldo on June 12th, 1993 117 00:04:38,945 --> 00:04:41,382 at the New York Comedy Club. 118 00:04:41,406 --> 00:04:42,592 {\an8}- [Interviewer] That's pretty precise. 119 00:04:42,616 --> 00:04:43,469 - It is precise 'cause that 120 00:04:43,493 --> 00:04:45,678 was the first day I ever did stand-up comedy. 121 00:04:45,702 --> 00:04:47,597 And the only other comedian on the show 122 00:04:47,621 --> 00:04:48,931 at like five in the afternoon, 123 00:04:48,955 --> 00:04:51,142 in the summer was Greg Giraldo. 124 00:04:51,166 --> 00:04:54,020 Sweating, very nervous, we just started talking, 125 00:04:54,044 --> 00:04:56,355 we became pals immediately. 126 00:04:56,379 --> 00:04:59,358 - I met Greg at this kind of paid open mic, 127 00:04:59,382 --> 00:05:01,444 you had to pay to go on. 128 00:05:01,468 --> 00:05:02,362 And so the only people 129 00:05:02,386 --> 00:05:06,240 that really pursued stand-up in the very early 90s 130 00:05:06,264 --> 00:05:09,494 were people that were mentally ill 131 00:05:09,518 --> 00:05:12,038 or people with poor judgment. 132 00:05:12,062 --> 00:05:14,916 He was in a suit and I was in a suit 133 00:05:14,940 --> 00:05:17,043 because we both had day jobs. 134 00:05:17,067 --> 00:05:19,212 - This stuff wasn't very sophisticated, 135 00:05:19,236 --> 00:05:22,006 but he was just so awesome at it that he killed. 136 00:05:22,030 --> 00:05:22,800 When the night ended, 137 00:05:22,824 --> 00:05:25,176 everybody rushed up to him and were all over him saying, 138 00:05:25,200 --> 00:05:25,969 "You can do this." 139 00:05:25,993 --> 00:05:28,995 And it, it was pretty clear he was gonna be able to do it. 140 00:05:30,121 --> 00:05:32,850 - [Dave] Giraldo seized on that early success. 141 00:05:32,874 --> 00:05:34,685 - He hated working as a lawyer. 142 00:05:34,709 --> 00:05:36,938 He had a good result from his first few times 143 00:05:36,962 --> 00:05:40,316 as an open mic comedian and he thought, "I'm gonna do this." 144 00:05:40,340 --> 00:05:41,442 - Jim Gaffigan. 145 00:05:41,466 --> 00:05:43,611 (woman laughs) 146 00:05:43,635 --> 00:05:46,197 You know, one of the worst comics I've 147 00:05:46,221 --> 00:05:47,406 You know, frankly, 148 00:05:47,430 --> 00:05:50,827 it's people like him that have ruined comedy, I think. 149 00:05:50,851 --> 00:05:53,037 - It was pretty bold for Greg, 150 00:05:53,061 --> 00:05:55,873 switching from being a high powered lawyer 151 00:05:55,897 --> 00:05:59,001 to something that wasn't viable. 152 00:05:59,025 --> 00:06:01,796 An interesting thing to understand about Greg 153 00:06:01,820 --> 00:06:06,217 is that he was somebody who wanted everything. 154 00:06:06,241 --> 00:06:07,677 Not only was he very funny, 155 00:06:07,701 --> 00:06:12,848 but like the track record of his life was that of success. 156 00:06:12,872 --> 00:06:13,642 - Are we really, 157 00:06:13,666 --> 00:06:15,726 as happy as a country, are people really laughing out loud 158 00:06:15,750 --> 00:06:16,687 as often as they say that, (audience laughs) 159 00:06:16,711 --> 00:06:19,021 'cause that would be one ing psychotic nation. 160 00:06:19,045 --> 00:06:21,023 If we're like, "Oh, hey, just having lunch." (laughs) 161 00:06:21,047 --> 00:06:26,011 - Thing that Greg had was this energy, this mental energy. 162 00:06:26,636 --> 00:06:27,573 In a time when people 163 00:06:27,597 --> 00:06:29,949 were being a little more open on stage, 164 00:06:29,973 --> 00:06:33,035 he was quickly identified as special. 165 00:06:33,059 --> 00:06:33,996 {\an8}- I was out on the street the other night, 166 00:06:34,020 --> 00:06:36,080 this homeless guy asked me for money 167 00:06:36,104 --> 00:06:37,582 and I was about to give it to him. 168 00:06:37,606 --> 00:06:38,375 And then I thought, 169 00:06:38,399 --> 00:06:40,793 "He's just gonna use it on drugs or alcohol." 170 00:06:40,817 --> 00:06:43,588 And then I thought, "That's what I'm gonna use it on." 171 00:06:43,612 --> 00:06:45,840 - Greg was instantly respected. 172 00:06:45,864 --> 00:06:49,010 He was an original thinker, he was a thinker. 173 00:06:49,034 --> 00:06:50,261 - The scientists have pretty much proven that if there 174 00:06:50,285 --> 00:06:52,054 had been a one quadrillion percentage difference 175 00:06:52,078 --> 00:06:53,848 in either direction in temperature or velocity, 176 00:06:53,872 --> 00:06:55,808 that the universe would've never formed after the big bang. 177 00:06:55,832 --> 00:06:56,975 It would've collapsed back in on itself 178 00:06:56,999 --> 00:06:58,728 or expanded infinitely outwards. 179 00:06:58,752 --> 00:07:00,146 Which proves beyond a doubt 180 00:07:00,170 --> 00:07:02,672 that I once read an article I didn't understand. 181 00:07:03,548 --> 00:07:04,859 - Man was that guy educated, 182 00:07:04,883 --> 00:07:06,193 I mean he knew all sorts 183 00:07:06,217 --> 00:07:08,946 of facts beyond his critical thinking skills. 184 00:07:08,970 --> 00:07:11,032 - Hillary Clinton is probably gonna 185 00:07:11,056 --> 00:07:12,617 get indicted on Whitewater charges. 186 00:07:12,641 --> 00:07:13,826 And because Clinton's still president, 187 00:07:13,850 --> 00:07:15,828 he gets to decide whether to pardon her or not. 188 00:07:15,852 --> 00:07:17,955 He gets to decide whether to pardon in his own wife. 189 00:07:17,979 --> 00:07:19,498 {\an8}- I would be curious to see, 190 00:07:19,522 --> 00:07:21,542 {\an8}like have some sociologists do a study on 191 00:07:21,566 --> 00:07:24,128 {\an8}what the most common profession among stand-up comedians 192 00:07:24,152 --> 00:07:25,921 was prior to them being a comedian. 193 00:07:25,945 --> 00:07:26,882 And I bet it's lawyer. 194 00:07:26,906 --> 00:07:28,841 - You know, if you get to decide whether your wife goes 195 00:07:28,865 --> 00:07:30,843 to prison or not, who picks the movies then, 196 00:07:30,867 --> 00:07:31,637 you know what I mean? 197 00:07:31,661 --> 00:07:32,887 - It's the same part of the brain, I think. 198 00:07:32,911 --> 00:07:35,514 You have to argue an indefensible point, 199 00:07:35,538 --> 00:07:36,308 You know what I mean? 200 00:07:36,332 --> 00:07:38,601 You have to try to say something in like a shocking 201 00:07:38,625 --> 00:07:41,646 and funny way, and then you have to make your case for it. 202 00:07:41,670 --> 00:07:42,980 - He's gotta be sitting around the White House, 203 00:07:43,004 --> 00:07:44,982 in his underwear, eating Big Macs, you know, 204 00:07:45,006 --> 00:07:47,026 "Hey Hillary, you wanna run your down to the 7-11? 205 00:07:47,050 --> 00:07:48,944 I got a date in about three minutes." 206 00:07:48,968 --> 00:07:53,324 {\an8}- He had great premises, a great observer of life. 207 00:07:53,348 --> 00:07:55,159 - [Dave] Giraldo found his voice early 208 00:07:55,183 --> 00:07:57,119 and before long he was auditioning 209 00:07:57,143 --> 00:07:59,914 for the world's most prestigious comedy festival. 210 00:07:59,938 --> 00:08:01,540 - [Announcer] Just For Laughs, 211 00:08:01,564 --> 00:08:03,542 where millions gather every year, 212 00:08:03,566 --> 00:08:06,420 making Montreal the kingdom of comedy. 213 00:08:06,444 --> 00:08:10,341 - Greg auditions for the Montreal Comedy Festival, 214 00:08:10,365 --> 00:08:13,010 it could be life changing. 215 00:08:13,034 --> 00:08:14,261 And when I say life changing, 216 00:08:14,285 --> 00:08:16,806 I'm saying you do a seven minute set, 217 00:08:16,830 --> 00:08:20,267 a television network will give you $500,000 218 00:08:20,291 --> 00:08:21,560 to develop a show. 219 00:08:21,584 --> 00:08:25,815 That show will be on air in six months, eight months, 220 00:08:25,839 --> 00:08:28,984 your life could change dramatically. 221 00:08:29,008 --> 00:08:32,822 {\an8}- I'm Rick Dorfman, longtime comedy manager 222 00:08:32,846 --> 00:08:36,951 and was Greg's manager for, I don't know how many years. 223 00:08:36,975 --> 00:08:39,787 An agency, CAA, which is one of the biggest, 224 00:08:39,811 --> 00:08:41,455 they called me and said, 225 00:08:41,479 --> 00:08:43,541 "We want to sign Greg and we want Greg 226 00:08:43,565 --> 00:08:45,734 to be our choice for New Faces." 227 00:08:46,735 --> 00:08:48,170 - [Dave] Giraldo trekked north 228 00:08:48,194 --> 00:08:50,089 to appear in the New Faces Showcase 229 00:08:50,113 --> 00:08:54,510 at the Montreal Comedy Festival, and he killed. 230 00:08:54,534 --> 00:08:56,053 - My phone blew up. 231 00:08:56,077 --> 00:08:57,888 There wasn't a network or studio 232 00:08:57,912 --> 00:09:00,141 that didn't want to meet with him. 233 00:09:00,165 --> 00:09:01,642 - The night he did his set, 234 00:09:01,666 --> 00:09:03,686 he got offered a development deal 235 00:09:03,710 --> 00:09:06,022 and he called me and he was like, 236 00:09:06,046 --> 00:09:09,442 "I got it, I got it, I got the gold ring." 237 00:09:09,466 --> 00:09:11,360 - Oh, well, let's see, my parents raised a Latino. 238 00:09:11,384 --> 00:09:12,903 - [Dave] Giraldo's hit set 239 00:09:12,927 --> 00:09:16,991 at the 1995 Montreal Comedy Festival netted him 240 00:09:17,015 --> 00:09:18,451 his own network sitcom. 241 00:09:18,475 --> 00:09:21,120 - I could put a rider on your contract. 242 00:09:21,144 --> 00:09:23,205 Hell I can put a lowrider on your contract. 243 00:09:23,229 --> 00:09:25,041 (audience laughs) 244 00:09:25,065 --> 00:09:26,333 - The premise of "Common Law" 245 00:09:26,357 --> 00:09:29,336 is Greg Giraldo plays a Latin attorney 246 00:09:29,360 --> 00:09:31,881 in a largely Caucasian law firm. 247 00:09:31,905 --> 00:09:32,799 - [Dave] In the 90s, 248 00:09:32,823 --> 00:09:36,844 the trend was to develop shows around a comic's material. 249 00:09:36,868 --> 00:09:38,054 - What are they doing in that back room? 250 00:09:38,078 --> 00:09:41,891 - You know, Seinfeld, and Mad About You, Drew Carey, 251 00:09:41,915 --> 00:09:44,101 those types of shows were blowing up. 252 00:09:44,125 --> 00:09:47,146 So there was a lot of talk about diversity 253 00:09:47,170 --> 00:09:51,859 and finding Latin comedic talent to center shows around. 254 00:09:51,883 --> 00:09:54,820 Greg really fit that bill in every sense of the word. 255 00:09:54,844 --> 00:09:55,781 (audience laughing) - Excuse me. 256 00:09:55,805 --> 00:09:58,908 - Uh, excuse me, Miss Scissorhands. 257 00:09:58,932 --> 00:10:02,244 {\an8}- My name is Diana-Maria Riva, I am an actor. 258 00:10:02,268 --> 00:10:03,496 - He called to congratulate me? 259 00:10:03,520 --> 00:10:04,914 - Well, his exact words were up yours, 260 00:10:04,938 --> 00:10:05,956 but I know what he meant. 261 00:10:05,980 --> 00:10:09,668 I was shocked to see how well Greg did with his acting, 262 00:10:09,692 --> 00:10:11,921 his timing and his comedy was great. 263 00:10:11,945 --> 00:10:14,799 And Greg, with his quick witted intelligence, 264 00:10:14,823 --> 00:10:16,926 was able to keep up. 265 00:10:16,950 --> 00:10:18,886 So we were a great little team. 266 00:10:18,910 --> 00:10:21,096 - Lucy, I'm home. 267 00:10:21,120 --> 00:10:23,265 - [Dave] With his ambition, tireless work ethic, 268 00:10:23,289 --> 00:10:25,976 Giraldo believed his show would be a hit, 269 00:10:26,000 --> 00:10:28,419 but he struggled against certain network pressures. 270 00:10:29,379 --> 00:10:30,731 - They would say things, 271 00:10:30,755 --> 00:10:34,527 they would want him to be more stereotypical. 272 00:10:34,551 --> 00:10:35,903 - I don't think anyone ever thought 273 00:10:35,927 --> 00:10:38,823 of Greg as a Latin comedian ever. 274 00:10:38,847 --> 00:10:41,909 And the network wants to Spanish it up. 275 00:10:41,933 --> 00:10:44,370 - Greg Giraldo hated the term, Spanish it up. 276 00:10:44,394 --> 00:10:48,124 - Hey, here we are, hey, check out this character. 277 00:10:48,148 --> 00:10:52,211 Can you believe he is Latin and a lawyer? 278 00:10:52,235 --> 00:10:55,756 Oh, my goodness, we've gotta watch that show. 279 00:10:55,780 --> 00:10:58,134 - It was not really an organic take on who he was, 280 00:10:58,158 --> 00:11:01,512 even though it was supposed to be who he was. 281 00:11:01,536 --> 00:11:04,223 - He felt like that was not the right thing to do, 282 00:11:04,247 --> 00:11:05,933 but we were both afraid, 283 00:11:05,957 --> 00:11:07,726 like who do you talk to? 284 00:11:07,750 --> 00:11:11,897 And would we be hurting our chances of getting on the air. 285 00:11:11,921 --> 00:11:15,901 - With the pressure of being a Latino lead of a show, 286 00:11:15,925 --> 00:11:18,112 and being that it was his first show, 287 00:11:18,136 --> 00:11:20,739 the weight was definitely on his shoulders. 288 00:11:20,763 --> 00:11:21,824 - [Dave] Giraldo wouldn't have 289 00:11:21,848 --> 00:11:24,034 to shoulder the burden for very long. 290 00:11:24,058 --> 00:11:26,954 "Common Law" was canceled after four episodes because 291 00:11:26,978 --> 00:11:31,065 of poor promotion, a lousy time slot, and low ratings. 292 00:11:31,941 --> 00:11:33,919 - I'll never forget when the news came 293 00:11:33,943 --> 00:11:36,463 that they said, "We're pulling the show off the air." 294 00:11:36,487 --> 00:11:38,799 So I got a little teary eyed and when he looked over 295 00:11:38,823 --> 00:11:40,634 and he saw me, he just said, 296 00:11:40,658 --> 00:11:42,761 "Please don't cry, please don't cry." 297 00:11:42,785 --> 00:11:44,013 And then I could see in his eyes 298 00:11:44,037 --> 00:11:46,348 that he felt responsible. 299 00:11:46,372 --> 00:11:49,018 And he just kept saying, "I'm so sorry." 300 00:11:49,042 --> 00:11:53,147 That's when I realized how much of this was on his back. 301 00:11:53,171 --> 00:11:55,941 He was Atlas, you know, and thought, 302 00:11:55,965 --> 00:11:58,760 and looked at it as, "I failed this show." 303 00:11:59,719 --> 00:12:01,739 - [Dave] Giraldo was in the habit of winning. 304 00:12:01,763 --> 00:12:05,534 "Common Law's" cancellation was his first taste of failure 305 00:12:05,558 --> 00:12:07,369 and it would not be his last. 306 00:12:07,393 --> 00:12:10,063 (dramatic music) 307 00:12:15,360 --> 00:12:16,670 (upbeat music) 308 00:12:16,694 --> 00:12:17,671 - I'm sure you all recognized me 309 00:12:17,695 --> 00:12:20,531 from my super mega smash hit, "Common Law". 310 00:12:21,574 --> 00:12:23,260 (audience laughs) 311 00:12:23,284 --> 00:12:24,720 It was violently and abruptly canceled 312 00:12:24,744 --> 00:12:25,846 after just a couple episodes. 313 00:12:25,870 --> 00:12:27,806 Meanwhile, Baywatch is still on the air. 314 00:12:27,830 --> 00:12:30,768 - [Dave] When ABC axed his sitcom, "Common Law", 315 00:12:30,792 --> 00:12:32,811 Greg Giraldo tried to bounce back. 316 00:12:32,835 --> 00:12:35,797 He framed the sting of rejection as an opportunity. 317 00:12:36,798 --> 00:12:38,901 - Greg really looked at it like, 318 00:12:38,925 --> 00:12:41,820 "I'm not as good as I can be. 319 00:12:41,844 --> 00:12:45,574 {\an8}I need to be better at this before I feel comfortable going 320 00:12:45,598 --> 00:12:47,576 {\an8}and doing something like that again." 321 00:12:47,600 --> 00:12:50,996 And he said, "all I want you to do is get me on the road. 322 00:12:51,020 --> 00:12:53,582 And that's all I want to do. 323 00:12:53,606 --> 00:12:55,167 I don't care who comes." 324 00:12:55,191 --> 00:12:57,127 And for the next two, two and a half years, 325 00:12:57,151 --> 00:12:58,254 that's all I did. 326 00:12:58,278 --> 00:13:00,798 I just called club after club after club. 327 00:13:00,822 --> 00:13:03,092 And he became a road warrior. 328 00:13:03,116 --> 00:13:05,636 (upbeat music) 329 00:13:05,660 --> 00:13:09,682 {\an8}- Road warrior is a comic who is constantly traveling, 330 00:13:09,706 --> 00:13:12,917 {\an8}doing stand-up as many nights a year as they can. 331 00:13:14,377 --> 00:13:16,647 {\an8}- Do you want to know what a road warrior is? 332 00:13:16,671 --> 00:13:19,149 {\an8}It's somebody that never stops doing the road. 333 00:13:19,173 --> 00:13:20,901 - You get up at the crack of dawn. 334 00:13:20,925 --> 00:13:23,278 You get on a plane, you fly somewhere. 335 00:13:23,302 --> 00:13:26,073 You rent a car, you drive to a hotel. 336 00:13:26,097 --> 00:13:29,910 {\an8}You unpack, you live in this place, 337 00:13:29,934 --> 00:13:33,289 {\an8}Six days, seven days, five days, whatever. 338 00:13:33,313 --> 00:13:36,709 - On average for me, 51 weeks a year. 339 00:13:36,733 --> 00:13:41,380 - It's good to be here, wherever we are, Samoa, apparently. 340 00:13:41,404 --> 00:13:43,465 - [Dave] Greg Giraldo made his living like this, 341 00:13:43,489 --> 00:13:46,343 roaming from town to town, city to city. 342 00:13:46,367 --> 00:13:48,804 Playing small to medium sized clubs. 343 00:13:48,828 --> 00:13:51,807 - Give a nice welcome to Greg Giraldo. 344 00:13:51,831 --> 00:13:52,891 - Greg loved the road. 345 00:13:52,915 --> 00:13:54,768 He just like loved the energy of the road. 346 00:13:54,792 --> 00:13:58,022 He never seemed to get tired of like, you know, the town. 347 00:13:58,046 --> 00:13:59,273 {\an8}He liked it in the way, where it was like, 348 00:13:59,297 --> 00:14:00,816 {\an8}"Oh, I know a great place we can," 349 00:14:00,840 --> 00:14:03,861 {\an8}you know, like he just knew Dallas really well 350 00:14:03,885 --> 00:14:04,696 {\an8}or whatever it was. 351 00:14:04,720 --> 00:14:06,280 {\an8}- Going city, to city, to city, 352 00:14:06,304 --> 00:14:09,640 {\an8}that grind it's also infectious. 353 00:14:10,767 --> 00:14:13,078 - Back then there was the rock and roll aspect. 354 00:14:13,102 --> 00:14:14,747 {\an8}There was a party aspect of it. 355 00:14:14,771 --> 00:14:16,206 {\an8}There were a lot of guys that would go out 356 00:14:16,230 --> 00:14:19,043 {\an8}and we get hammered after the show. 357 00:14:19,067 --> 00:14:21,253 - After Greg finished a performance, 358 00:14:21,277 --> 00:14:24,339 he was the biggest celebrity in town most times. 359 00:14:24,363 --> 00:14:26,175 And inevitably someone would come up to him and say, 360 00:14:26,199 --> 00:14:27,742 "Hey, where are you gonna party?" 361 00:14:28,868 --> 00:14:30,137 - [Dave] With his humor, good looks, 362 00:14:30,161 --> 00:14:31,680 and natural charisma, 363 00:14:31,704 --> 00:14:35,225 Giraldo was the kind of comic people wanted to party with. 364 00:14:35,249 --> 00:14:37,436 And he was happy to oblige. 365 00:14:37,460 --> 00:14:38,854 - He had the party people, 366 00:14:38,878 --> 00:14:40,939 the cool guys wanted to take Greg out. 367 00:14:40,963 --> 00:14:43,233 The cool women wanted to talk to him. 368 00:14:43,257 --> 00:14:46,653 It gets tricky when those things are thrown in front of you, 369 00:14:46,677 --> 00:14:48,864 it's a lot easier when the only thing people 370 00:14:48,888 --> 00:14:50,157 are bringing you are like, 371 00:14:50,181 --> 00:14:53,660 you know, books they read. (laughs) 372 00:14:53,684 --> 00:14:55,120 - [Dave] When he wasn't indulging the rock 373 00:14:55,144 --> 00:14:58,207 and roll lifestyle of the road warrior comic, 374 00:14:58,231 --> 00:15:01,752 Giraldlo was strengthening his roots in his native New York. 375 00:15:01,776 --> 00:15:04,463 - Right here with the green noodle we have me, 376 00:15:04,487 --> 00:15:06,090 with the blue noodle is Lucas, 377 00:15:06,114 --> 00:15:07,633 with the red noodle, it's Gregory, 378 00:15:07,657 --> 00:15:09,843 and that's our dad right there. 379 00:15:09,867 --> 00:15:13,722 This is a picture of my dad as a kid, just a little goober. 380 00:15:13,746 --> 00:15:15,432 {\an8}Parents met at Caroline's, a comedy club. 381 00:15:15,456 --> 00:15:18,709 {\an8}My mom was a waitress there and my dad was performing there. 382 00:15:20,461 --> 00:15:22,022 - Maryanne and Greg were a great couple 383 00:15:22,046 --> 00:15:24,066 from the beginning, from my perspective. 384 00:15:24,090 --> 00:15:26,485 I mean, she was very cool. 385 00:15:26,509 --> 00:15:29,822 {\an8}She understood, you know, comedy and dark comedy 386 00:15:29,846 --> 00:15:32,407 and got him completely. 387 00:15:32,431 --> 00:15:35,869 - [Dave] Together, Greg and Maryanne had three sons, 388 00:15:35,893 --> 00:15:38,038 Lucas, Daniel, and Greg junior. 389 00:15:38,062 --> 00:15:41,875 - We live this crazy life, we're out every night. 390 00:15:41,899 --> 00:15:45,003 You know, there's no structure really? 391 00:15:45,027 --> 00:15:46,630 How are we gonna be parents? 392 00:15:46,654 --> 00:15:48,632 - He's struggled with being a good father. 393 00:15:48,656 --> 00:15:53,137 He's struggled with going on the road so many times a month. 394 00:15:53,161 --> 00:15:54,596 - [Dave] But the boys never really felt 395 00:15:54,620 --> 00:15:56,807 their father's absence. 396 00:15:56,831 --> 00:15:58,725 - It was a very, very happy household. 397 00:15:58,749 --> 00:16:02,146 Was very clear that he was working really, really hard, 398 00:16:02,170 --> 00:16:03,897 and it was for us. 399 00:16:03,921 --> 00:16:06,024 - Greg constantly talked about missing his kids on the road, 400 00:16:06,048 --> 00:16:09,486 like all the time, like it was a real push/pull for him. 401 00:16:09,510 --> 00:16:11,029 - He would arrive downstairs 402 00:16:11,053 --> 00:16:12,656 and we would all get in the elevator, 403 00:16:12,680 --> 00:16:14,366 and the second the doors open we'd sprint out 404 00:16:14,390 --> 00:16:15,701 and hug him and everything. 405 00:16:15,725 --> 00:16:17,828 So it was definitely a different vibe when he was home, 406 00:16:17,852 --> 00:16:18,853 it was great. 407 00:16:19,687 --> 00:16:21,999 - [Dave] As happy as his home life was, 408 00:16:22,023 --> 00:16:24,251 Giraldo was still forced to work on the road 409 00:16:24,275 --> 00:16:26,670 to support himself and his family. 410 00:16:26,694 --> 00:16:29,530 And that lifestyle started getting to him. 411 00:16:30,531 --> 00:16:31,717 - The thoughts that a comedy 412 00:16:31,741 --> 00:16:35,077 {\an8}is when a comedian has 23 hours to kill. 413 00:16:36,037 --> 00:16:38,307 {\an8}In those 23 hours he has before a show 414 00:16:38,331 --> 00:16:41,143 {\an8}that you gotta find things to do with your mind, 415 00:16:41,167 --> 00:16:43,270 {\an8}or you're gonna go nuts. 416 00:16:43,294 --> 00:16:45,314 - Real unfortunate thing about Greg 417 00:16:45,338 --> 00:16:47,733 was that he was smart enough to see it. 418 00:16:47,757 --> 00:16:49,610 He was self aware enough to see it. 419 00:16:49,634 --> 00:16:50,903 - There's little wake up calls, you know, 420 00:16:50,927 --> 00:16:52,196 like I was not allowed to get on a plane 421 00:16:52,220 --> 00:16:53,739 'cause I was too drunk. 422 00:16:53,763 --> 00:16:54,532 Do you know how wasted you have to be? 423 00:16:54,556 --> 00:16:57,326 Do you know how depressing that is for a gate agent to say, 424 00:16:57,350 --> 00:17:00,162 "Sir, you're too drunk to sit in a seat." 425 00:17:00,186 --> 00:17:01,622 (audience laughs) 426 00:17:01,646 --> 00:17:02,623 - When he was around the city, 427 00:17:02,647 --> 00:17:04,690 that was part of my social circle. 428 00:17:05,816 --> 00:17:08,378 We went down to the Cellar and he did some spots. 429 00:17:08,402 --> 00:17:11,840 What I do remember is we went around the corner to a bar 430 00:17:11,864 --> 00:17:13,717 and there were a bunch of comics there. 431 00:17:13,741 --> 00:17:15,886 And Greg said, "Let's do tequila shots." 432 00:17:15,910 --> 00:17:17,304 So I said, okay. 433 00:17:17,328 --> 00:17:20,224 And we did one shot, did two. 434 00:17:20,248 --> 00:17:22,100 And then he said, "Let's do another one." 435 00:17:22,124 --> 00:17:24,019 I wound up doing three shots. 436 00:17:24,043 --> 00:17:28,106 I remember Greg having eight shots that night. 437 00:17:28,130 --> 00:17:31,485 And then the next day he called me around noon 438 00:17:31,509 --> 00:17:34,655 and he said, "I think I have a drinking problem." 439 00:17:34,679 --> 00:17:37,741 And I said, "Look, I don't think you have a problem. 440 00:17:37,765 --> 00:17:40,685 I think you just like to have a good time." 441 00:17:41,686 --> 00:17:44,581 And then it was probably six months later, 442 00:17:44,605 --> 00:17:48,085 I was like, "Huh, maybe there's something here." 443 00:17:48,109 --> 00:17:50,778 (dramatic music) 444 00:17:53,781 --> 00:17:56,242 (upbeat music) 445 00:17:58,869 --> 00:18:01,598 - [Dave] Despite the pressures and temptations of the road, 446 00:18:01,622 --> 00:18:04,142 Giraldo's diligence was paying off. 447 00:18:04,166 --> 00:18:04,936 He earned a seat 448 00:18:04,960 --> 00:18:08,313 among the New York comedy scenes inner circle. 449 00:18:08,337 --> 00:18:10,691 - There's a table at every comedy club 450 00:18:10,715 --> 00:18:13,777 where comics hang out at the back of the room, 451 00:18:13,801 --> 00:18:15,153 {\an8}away from the audience. 452 00:18:15,177 --> 00:18:18,657 {\an8}But it's where you sit and you hang out and you kibitz. 453 00:18:18,681 --> 00:18:20,701 - The comedians table at the Comedy Cellar 454 00:18:20,725 --> 00:18:22,869 {\an8}is another rite of passage. 455 00:18:22,893 --> 00:18:25,789 - That is where we all sat, and ate, 456 00:18:25,813 --> 00:18:29,084 {\an8}and talked, and mocked the hell out of each, 457 00:18:29,108 --> 00:18:30,752 {\an8}that was the best. 458 00:18:30,776 --> 00:18:32,713 - Sitting at that table, being a part 459 00:18:32,737 --> 00:18:36,091 of that conversation is a really special thing. 460 00:18:36,115 --> 00:18:38,677 - [Dave] Greg would regularly hold court at the table 461 00:18:38,701 --> 00:18:41,805 with comedians like Dave Attell, Patrice O'Neal, 462 00:18:41,829 --> 00:18:45,225 and Saturday Night Live alum, Colin Quinn. 463 00:18:45,249 --> 00:18:47,853 Their no holds barred conversations inspired 464 00:18:47,877 --> 00:18:49,271 a new TV series. 465 00:18:49,295 --> 00:18:50,897 - Let's start the show. 466 00:18:50,921 --> 00:18:52,524 (audience cheers) 467 00:18:52,548 --> 00:18:54,985 - "Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn" is one 468 00:18:55,009 --> 00:18:57,738 {\an8}of the seminal moments in Greg Giraldo's career. 469 00:18:57,762 --> 00:18:58,698 - But also you were a victim 470 00:18:58,722 --> 00:19:01,265 of the American system's bias against Samoans. 471 00:19:02,433 --> 00:19:07,438 - It was Colin's dream to bring this table to comedy fans. 472 00:19:07,730 --> 00:19:10,876 This is how we think, this is what we do, 473 00:19:10,900 --> 00:19:12,252 this is how we behaved. 474 00:19:12,276 --> 00:19:13,879 It was voyeuristic in a way. 475 00:19:13,903 --> 00:19:15,172 - Is the whole point of this war, 476 00:19:15,196 --> 00:19:17,674 {\an8}it was to stop the terrorism, make ourselves safer. 477 00:19:17,698 --> 00:19:20,010 {\an8}If we allow an Islamic extremist state to form, 478 00:19:20,034 --> 00:19:21,720 that's not gonna make us any safer. 479 00:19:21,744 --> 00:19:25,307 - [Dave] Airing on Comedy Central in post 9/11 America, 480 00:19:25,331 --> 00:19:28,268 "Tough Crowd" exposed Giraldo to a whole new audience. 481 00:19:28,292 --> 00:19:30,771 - We have banana Republic stores in Panama for Christ sake. 482 00:19:30,795 --> 00:19:32,439 - [Judy] It's not economic imperialism. 483 00:19:32,463 --> 00:19:33,940 - Panama is a banana republic. 484 00:19:33,964 --> 00:19:35,734 (audience laughs) 485 00:19:35,758 --> 00:19:38,070 - "Tough crowd's" another perfect vehicle 486 00:19:38,094 --> 00:19:39,696 for someone that can write quick, 487 00:19:39,720 --> 00:19:41,448 {\an8}that has the work ethic. 488 00:19:41,472 --> 00:19:44,660 {\an8}Like that's the other thing, Greg worked his ass off. 489 00:19:44,684 --> 00:19:46,536 He saw it as an opportunity. 490 00:19:46,560 --> 00:19:48,455 - If they were exposed to our American public schools 491 00:19:48,479 --> 00:19:50,457 where kids don't have to learn or memorize anything, 492 00:19:50,481 --> 00:19:52,501 you know, what side would you choose? 493 00:19:52,525 --> 00:19:54,419 - You had to be at the top of your game. 494 00:19:54,443 --> 00:19:57,756 You had to be over prepared. 495 00:19:57,780 --> 00:20:00,634 You could argue with him, but he was gonna win. 496 00:20:00,658 --> 00:20:01,676 He was gonna win. 497 00:20:01,700 --> 00:20:03,553 - We going there now? 498 00:20:03,577 --> 00:20:04,554 - [Dave] Giraldo wasn't afraid 499 00:20:04,578 --> 00:20:06,473 {\an8}to take on more veteran comics 500 00:20:06,497 --> 00:20:08,892 {\an8}or of going directly for the jugular. 501 00:20:08,916 --> 00:20:10,268 - Or maybe there's a nonviolent way 502 00:20:10,292 --> 00:20:11,728 to solve the whole North Korea thing. 503 00:20:11,752 --> 00:20:13,355 - [Colin] Good thinking. 504 00:20:13,379 --> 00:20:15,732 Well, there might be, they're asking for, what? 505 00:20:15,756 --> 00:20:17,818 - There was an interaction between Greg 506 00:20:17,842 --> 00:20:20,320 and Denis Leary on "Tough Crowd." 507 00:20:20,344 --> 00:20:23,198 Denis was the senior statesman in that group of comics, 508 00:20:23,222 --> 00:20:24,616 and Greg was kind of, you know, 509 00:20:24,640 --> 00:20:26,576 he was building a name for himself. 510 00:20:26,600 --> 00:20:28,954 And Denis said something, 511 00:20:28,978 --> 00:20:33,625 and Greg said something back that kind of bit Denis, 512 00:20:33,649 --> 00:20:34,419 a little bit. 513 00:20:34,443 --> 00:20:35,877 - There's a nonviolent way to solve a problem 514 00:20:35,901 --> 00:20:36,962 with the country that we hate, 515 00:20:36,986 --> 00:20:38,422 that hates us, has got weapons pointed at us? 516 00:20:38,446 --> 00:20:39,173 I don't think so. 517 00:20:39,197 --> 00:20:40,465 {\an8}- No, you're right, like Russia, for example, 518 00:20:40,489 --> 00:20:41,574 {\an8}that big Russian war. 519 00:20:42,616 --> 00:20:45,762 - And Dennis kind of came back a little bit more. 520 00:20:45,786 --> 00:20:47,514 - This guy writes so many jokes before the show, 521 00:20:47,538 --> 00:20:49,558 it's not even funny, it's unbelievable. 522 00:20:49,582 --> 00:20:52,018 - And then Greg hit him really hard. 523 00:20:52,042 --> 00:20:53,061 - That's kind of what we do here, 524 00:20:53,085 --> 00:20:54,104 Denis, get a comedy writer. 525 00:20:54,128 --> 00:20:55,897 (audience laughs) 526 00:20:55,921 --> 00:20:57,524 {\an8}- I think Denis was trying to say something 527 00:20:57,548 --> 00:20:59,151 about our dad being like a nerd. 528 00:20:59,175 --> 00:21:00,777 - You're the guy in school that did all the homework 529 00:21:00,801 --> 00:21:03,738 and then asked if there was anymore that needed to be done. 530 00:21:03,762 --> 00:21:05,949 - And then our dad just clapped back and just destroyed him. 531 00:21:05,973 --> 00:21:06,742 - That's a good point, 532 00:21:06,766 --> 00:21:08,201 and if you had tried a little comedy writing, 533 00:21:08,225 --> 00:21:10,227 maybe your show would still be on the air. 534 00:21:11,061 --> 00:21:14,124 - Greg had courage, Greg didn't back down and was just like, 535 00:21:14,148 --> 00:21:15,709 "No, no, no, no, no. 536 00:21:15,733 --> 00:21:18,295 I'm just as smart, just as funny. 537 00:21:18,319 --> 00:21:20,613 And I'm gonna show you right now on TV." 538 00:21:21,780 --> 00:21:24,718 - I remember Denis's manager calling me saying, 539 00:21:24,742 --> 00:21:26,678 "Are we good? Like, we're cool?" 540 00:21:26,702 --> 00:21:27,763 And I'm like, "Cool? 541 00:21:27,787 --> 00:21:30,140 My guy just destroyed your guy." 542 00:21:30,164 --> 00:21:32,893 - Well, we're wrapping up another season 543 00:21:32,917 --> 00:21:35,228 of "Stand-up Nation with Greg Giraldo." 544 00:21:35,252 --> 00:21:36,480 - [Dave] Giraldo had a skill set 545 00:21:36,504 --> 00:21:39,483 that Comedy Central seemed eager to exploit. 546 00:21:39,507 --> 00:21:43,111 - Hello and welcome, welcome to "Adult Content." 547 00:21:43,135 --> 00:21:46,865 - Comedy Central totally got that Greg was the star 548 00:21:46,889 --> 00:21:50,619 and there was a time when they were finding the show 549 00:21:50,643 --> 00:21:53,163 that would go after the "Daily Show." 550 00:21:53,187 --> 00:21:56,583 Whoever got that spot after was going to be set. 551 00:21:56,607 --> 00:21:59,794 It came down to him and another guy who 552 00:21:59,818 --> 00:22:04,508 was within the "Daily Show" world, Steven Colbert. 553 00:22:04,532 --> 00:22:08,345 And so "Colbert Report" gets the slot. 554 00:22:08,369 --> 00:22:09,763 - I love this man, Greg Giraldo. 555 00:22:09,787 --> 00:22:10,598 - [Dave] To make things worse, 556 00:22:10,622 --> 00:22:13,934 "Tough Crowd" was canceled after just two seasons. 557 00:22:13,958 --> 00:22:17,229 Giraldo was falling into a familiar pattern. 558 00:22:17,253 --> 00:22:20,649 - There is a consistency of rejection 559 00:22:20,673 --> 00:22:23,652 that only so many people can take. 560 00:22:23,676 --> 00:22:27,614 If someone breaks your heart, you can forgive them. 561 00:22:27,638 --> 00:22:30,242 They break your heart again, you can forgive them. 562 00:22:30,266 --> 00:22:33,662 But if they break your heart like six years in a row, 563 00:22:33,686 --> 00:22:35,539 you kind of like sit there and go, 564 00:22:35,563 --> 00:22:38,458 "Maybe it's not them, maybe it's me." 565 00:22:38,482 --> 00:22:40,544 - I didn't even used to believe in soulmates, 566 00:22:40,568 --> 00:22:41,462 the whole concept of soulmates, 567 00:22:41,486 --> 00:22:44,589 I never believed in soulmates until I saw Siegfried and Roy. 568 00:22:44,613 --> 00:22:46,550 (audience laughs) 569 00:22:46,574 --> 00:22:48,260 Because there you got a gay lion tamer 570 00:22:48,284 --> 00:22:51,221 who hooked up with another gay lion tamer. 571 00:22:51,245 --> 00:22:54,558 - Greg's alcohol use escalated after "Tough Crowd." 572 00:22:54,582 --> 00:22:55,809 He had more time on the road. 573 00:22:55,833 --> 00:22:57,143 He had more success. 574 00:22:57,167 --> 00:22:58,645 He did a great job of hiding it, 575 00:22:58,669 --> 00:23:01,064 even from people he knew really well. 576 00:23:01,088 --> 00:23:03,525 And it was a situation that he could manage, 577 00:23:03,549 --> 00:23:05,277 but not entirely control. 578 00:23:05,301 --> 00:23:07,654 (somber music) 579 00:23:07,678 --> 00:23:12,450 {\an8}- When we get off stage, that void is so enormous, 580 00:23:12,474 --> 00:23:14,035 {\an8}so gigantic. 581 00:23:14,059 --> 00:23:18,623 - It takes hours to come down from that, you get so wound. 582 00:23:18,647 --> 00:23:22,419 {\an8}- You can't just go have a pizza and then go to bed. 583 00:23:22,443 --> 00:23:25,505 {\an8}You gotta... ing kill a deer or something, 584 00:23:25,529 --> 00:23:28,717 or, you know... Something, or, 585 00:23:28,741 --> 00:23:32,453 you know, you gotta do something monumentous. 586 00:23:34,455 --> 00:23:36,683 - Drugs are so prevalent in stand the world 587 00:23:36,707 --> 00:23:40,312 because man, they're easy to find. 588 00:23:40,336 --> 00:23:42,897 - He had his pick of drugs on the road. 589 00:23:42,921 --> 00:23:45,567 Oxycontin was popular, whatever pills, 590 00:23:45,591 --> 00:23:47,986 uppers, downers, you name it he could get it 591 00:23:48,010 --> 00:23:50,155 and rarely had to pay for it. 592 00:23:50,179 --> 00:23:52,407 - Imagine if you're trying to quit anything, 593 00:23:52,431 --> 00:23:53,950 like if you're trying to lose weight, 594 00:23:53,974 --> 00:23:58,288 and every room you go into someone's got a cake, imagine, 595 00:23:58,312 --> 00:24:00,522 it's hard, it's very hard. 596 00:24:01,732 --> 00:24:03,627 - [Dave] This lifestyle, the travel, 597 00:24:03,651 --> 00:24:05,545 the drinking, the drugs, 598 00:24:05,569 --> 00:24:08,739 helped Greg quiet thoughts that nagged at him constantly. 599 00:24:09,948 --> 00:24:12,510 - He started to drink to quiet the mind chatter. 600 00:24:12,534 --> 00:24:15,513 His brain worked faster than the average person 601 00:24:15,537 --> 00:24:17,539 and that's a hard thing to turn off. 602 00:24:18,624 --> 00:24:22,020 - It is so difficult not to sit there 603 00:24:22,044 --> 00:24:26,775 and drink until you are passed out. 604 00:24:26,799 --> 00:24:28,610 {\an8}- People aren't what they say, they're what they do. 605 00:24:28,634 --> 00:24:31,780 {\an8}And as much as he would say, "Yes, I hate the road. 606 00:24:31,804 --> 00:24:33,180 {\an8}I hate it, I hate it." 607 00:24:34,598 --> 00:24:37,702 No you don't, you don't. 608 00:24:37,726 --> 00:24:40,455 If you did, you would do something different. 609 00:24:40,479 --> 00:24:41,581 (dramatic music) 610 00:24:41,605 --> 00:24:44,209 - You get tons of attention, then it disappears. 611 00:24:44,233 --> 00:24:46,086 You're finally headlining. 612 00:24:46,110 --> 00:24:50,840 You're on the road, you have a good show. 613 00:24:50,864 --> 00:24:53,909 Going back to hotel rooms is depressing. 614 00:24:54,743 --> 00:24:56,388 What's gonna happen? 615 00:24:56,412 --> 00:24:58,872 What's gonna happen is you're gonna get in trouble. 616 00:24:59,873 --> 00:25:02,102 - [Dave] With his mental health worsening, 617 00:25:02,126 --> 00:25:04,479 Giraldo knew that if he wanted to save his career, 618 00:25:04,503 --> 00:25:08,566 his family, and his life, he'd have to make a change. 619 00:25:08,590 --> 00:25:11,301 (dramatic music) 620 00:25:17,224 --> 00:25:20,144 (dramatic music) 621 00:25:21,603 --> 00:25:24,582 - I am getting old, it's all happening so fast. 622 00:25:24,606 --> 00:25:27,085 I had to quit drinking and drugging. 623 00:25:27,109 --> 00:25:30,130 I had to stop, there were a lot of wake up calls, you know? 624 00:25:30,154 --> 00:25:31,548 - [Dave] The road warrior lifestyle 625 00:25:31,572 --> 00:25:33,508 was wearing on Greg Giraldo. 626 00:25:33,532 --> 00:25:34,592 - When you do something like crystal meth, 627 00:25:34,616 --> 00:25:35,802 do you ever say "Gee, I got kids, 628 00:25:35,826 --> 00:25:36,595 I got a wife." - It's worst. 629 00:25:36,619 --> 00:25:38,096 - Does it go through your head, like? 630 00:25:38,120 --> 00:25:39,431 - That's like, yeah, it's all over. 631 00:25:39,455 --> 00:25:42,100 And today's 12 hours without a drink 632 00:25:42,124 --> 00:25:42,893 or drug in my body and that's it, 633 00:25:42,917 --> 00:25:44,185 I'm on my way to a meeting after this. 634 00:25:44,209 --> 00:25:47,564 - [Dave] So he got sober. 635 00:25:47,588 --> 00:25:51,234 {\an8}- My name's Jesse Joyce, I'm a comedian and a writer. 636 00:25:51,258 --> 00:25:54,112 - I introduced Greg and Jesse and I said, 637 00:25:54,136 --> 00:25:58,158 {\an8}"Greg, it might help you to have somebody on the road 638 00:25:58,182 --> 00:26:01,119 {\an8}to kind of help you make better choices." 639 00:26:01,143 --> 00:26:03,288 - I was trying to get sober at the same time. 640 00:26:03,312 --> 00:26:05,498 You form habits on the road and then suddenly 641 00:26:05,522 --> 00:26:07,417 this is the first time you're doing it sober. 642 00:26:07,441 --> 00:26:09,085 You have to get yourself outta that rut that, 643 00:26:09,109 --> 00:26:12,505 you know, like the track, that well worn groove 644 00:26:12,529 --> 00:26:14,007 that you would always do 645 00:26:14,031 --> 00:26:15,550 and try to figure out what else to do. 646 00:26:15,574 --> 00:26:18,261 You have to rewire your brain. 647 00:26:18,285 --> 00:26:20,138 He and I worked really well together on the road 648 00:26:20,162 --> 00:26:21,431 because we were both trying to figure 649 00:26:21,455 --> 00:26:23,099 that out at the same time. 650 00:26:23,123 --> 00:26:25,852 - Jesse became his really, really close friend 651 00:26:25,876 --> 00:26:27,896 and helped keep him straight. 652 00:26:27,920 --> 00:26:30,106 - Mr. Greg Giraldo. 653 00:26:30,130 --> 00:26:31,900 - [Dave] Struggling to stay sober, 654 00:26:31,924 --> 00:26:35,028 Giraldo still had friends rooting for 655 00:26:35,052 --> 00:26:37,238 And they tapped him for gigs that would come 656 00:26:37,262 --> 00:26:41,242 to define his legacy for better and worse. 657 00:26:41,266 --> 00:26:42,702 - Arty, your liver has more holes in it 658 00:26:42,726 --> 00:26:44,245 than Mel Gibson's apology. 659 00:26:44,269 --> 00:26:46,289 (audience laughs) 660 00:26:46,313 --> 00:26:48,875 {\an8}- Greg was known as the guy from the roasts. 661 00:26:48,899 --> 00:26:50,001 - Who would... you? 662 00:26:50,025 --> 00:26:53,421 You have the sex appeal of a school bus fire. 663 00:26:53,445 --> 00:26:56,633 {\an8}- You looked forward to the Greg Giraldo set. 664 00:26:56,657 --> 00:26:59,177 {\an8}You knew it was going to be the highlight 665 00:26:59,201 --> 00:27:00,261 {\an8}of the whole roast. 666 00:27:00,285 --> 00:27:02,889 - Penn Gillette, with your greasy ponytail, 667 00:27:02,913 --> 00:27:04,015 you look like a male stripper 668 00:27:04,039 --> 00:27:06,226 that swallowed a male stripper. 669 00:27:06,250 --> 00:27:08,228 {\an8}- I would watch the Comedy Central roast 670 00:27:08,252 --> 00:27:09,437 {\an8}just to watch Greg's Giraldo. 671 00:27:09,461 --> 00:27:11,898 {\an8}That guy brought so much game to those shows. 672 00:27:11,922 --> 00:27:13,775 - This stage is like Planned Parenthood, 673 00:27:13,799 --> 00:27:15,527 two sluts and nine abortions. 674 00:27:15,551 --> 00:27:16,694 (audience laughs) 675 00:27:16,718 --> 00:27:19,239 - The roasts were the biggest thing to happen to Greg. 676 00:27:19,263 --> 00:27:20,824 He's just the best guy to ever do it. 677 00:27:20,848 --> 00:27:22,784 - Kathy, you look like Ronald McDonald... ed 678 00:27:22,808 --> 00:27:24,118 Lucille Ball's corpse 679 00:27:24,142 --> 00:27:25,745 then pushed it down a flight of stairs. 680 00:27:25,769 --> 00:27:26,539 (audience laughs) 681 00:27:26,563 --> 00:27:28,248 - I didn't understand any of it as a kid, 682 00:27:28,272 --> 00:27:29,749 {\an8}he called Lisa Lampinelli 683 00:27:29,773 --> 00:27:31,835 {\an8}a wart on the cock of American culture. 684 00:27:31,859 --> 00:27:32,628 {\an8}And I don't know what a- 685 00:27:32,652 --> 00:27:35,088 {\an8}- No, that was a Bob. - Bob Saget. 686 00:27:35,112 --> 00:27:36,589 - Bob, you are a genital wart 687 00:27:36,613 --> 00:27:38,448 on the cock of American culture. 688 00:27:39,491 --> 00:27:42,554 {\an8}- But I didn't know what wart or a cock was. 689 00:27:42,578 --> 00:27:45,473 - [Dave] For Giraldo, roasting celebrities like Bob Saget, 690 00:27:45,497 --> 00:27:48,852 William Shatner, and Pamela Anderson was lucrative. 691 00:27:48,876 --> 00:27:51,688 - Ladies and gentlemen, we have Greg Giraldo. 692 00:27:51,712 --> 00:27:52,606 - [Dave] But the format 693 00:27:52,630 --> 00:27:55,108 also saw the comedian's personal insecurities 694 00:27:55,132 --> 00:27:56,943 dragged out into the open. 695 00:27:56,967 --> 00:27:58,319 - I know a little bit about bitches 696 00:27:58,343 --> 00:28:01,656 and, ladies and gentlemen, this is Comedy Central's bitch. 697 00:28:01,680 --> 00:28:03,116 (audience laughs) 698 00:28:03,140 --> 00:28:03,993 - While he talks, 699 00:28:04,017 --> 00:28:06,035 see if you can count how many times Pam says, 700 00:28:06,059 --> 00:28:07,287 "Who the... is that?" 701 00:28:07,311 --> 00:28:09,706 - He's gonna make you laugh and then you'll forget him. 702 00:28:09,730 --> 00:28:12,041 - Who, without these roasts, would starve to death. 703 00:28:12,065 --> 00:28:13,626 - Please welcome the unknown comic. 704 00:28:13,650 --> 00:28:18,030 - Please welcome comedy's cruel joke, Greg Giraldo. 705 00:28:19,072 --> 00:28:20,508 - The only thing he would get labeled 706 00:28:20,532 --> 00:28:23,511 for at the roast was being a failure, you know? 707 00:28:23,535 --> 00:28:26,764 - Greg Giraldo lives on his mother's couch 708 00:28:26,788 --> 00:28:28,224 and collects food stamps, 709 00:28:28,248 --> 00:28:31,060 and Carrot Top makes $10 million a year. 710 00:28:31,084 --> 00:28:33,104 - Greg Giraldo, you should be a bigger star, 711 00:28:33,128 --> 00:28:34,814 you should be much bigger. 712 00:28:34,838 --> 00:28:36,316 - In a way, good job other roasters, 713 00:28:36,340 --> 00:28:37,567 'cause you found the thing he 714 00:28:37,591 --> 00:28:40,111 was sensitive about, you know, to exploit. 715 00:28:40,135 --> 00:28:42,530 - How do you create these jokes that are just, 716 00:28:42,554 --> 00:28:44,866 they just fall off your tongue so trippingly. 717 00:28:44,890 --> 00:28:46,534 - When you hate yourself a lot it's easy 718 00:28:46,558 --> 00:28:48,119 to turn that hatred on others. 719 00:28:48,143 --> 00:28:49,079 You know, it's easy to like, 720 00:28:49,103 --> 00:28:51,581 attack them when you feel like you're not, 721 00:28:51,605 --> 00:28:53,207 you know, worth saving either. 722 00:28:53,231 --> 00:28:56,461 - [Dave] The roasts were Giraldo's golden handcuffs. 723 00:28:56,485 --> 00:28:59,255 The work was steady, but felt a bit beneath him. 724 00:28:59,279 --> 00:29:03,760 They boosted his profile, but only as an insult comic. 725 00:29:03,784 --> 00:29:06,137 - I mean, there were times where he'd be in Minnesota 726 00:29:06,161 --> 00:29:08,056 and be at a Subway sandwich shop, 727 00:29:08,080 --> 00:29:11,017 and some teenager would reference him 728 00:29:11,041 --> 00:29:12,143 as the guy from the roast. 729 00:29:12,167 --> 00:29:13,895 And he was like, "Oh, I'm glad you know me, 730 00:29:13,919 --> 00:29:15,980 but I'm also performing, you know, 731 00:29:16,004 --> 00:29:17,607 at the club this weekend." 732 00:29:17,631 --> 00:29:19,233 And, and so it was kind of limiting. 733 00:29:19,257 --> 00:29:22,320 {\an8}- I don't know the Greg, I know, the core Greg. 734 00:29:22,344 --> 00:29:25,323 {\an8}Sure, he could do those things, but that wasn't him. 735 00:29:25,347 --> 00:29:28,910 - You have to separate yourself from that thing 736 00:29:28,934 --> 00:29:30,870 that you don't wanna be anymore. 737 00:29:30,894 --> 00:29:33,271 {\an8}And that's hard, dude, that's really hard. 738 00:29:34,064 --> 00:29:36,334 - [Dave] Giraldo's frustration often bubble 739 00:29:36,358 --> 00:29:38,461 to the surface in his roasts. 740 00:29:38,485 --> 00:29:40,338 - This is exciting I gotta tell you, 741 00:29:40,362 --> 00:29:42,966 I've never roasted a fake character before. 742 00:29:42,990 --> 00:29:45,718 Maybe next year we could roast SpongeBob Squarepants. 743 00:29:45,742 --> 00:29:46,512 (audience laughs) 744 00:29:46,536 --> 00:29:47,929 - There were just like, flashes of like, 745 00:29:47,953 --> 00:29:51,057 genuine anger in the Larry the Cable Guy roast. 746 00:29:51,081 --> 00:29:54,018 - How the... are you so popular? 747 00:29:54,042 --> 00:29:56,396 - And it crushed because like people could really tell 748 00:29:56,420 --> 00:29:58,398 that it really bothered the guy who's been made fun 749 00:29:58,422 --> 00:29:59,983 of for being a failure all night long, 750 00:30:00,007 --> 00:30:02,193 that... ing Larry the Cable Guy is like the most famous, 751 00:30:02,217 --> 00:30:04,445 and popular, and wealthiest comic in America. 752 00:30:04,469 --> 00:30:05,947 That part was like a little window into like, 753 00:30:05,971 --> 00:30:07,240 oh we're not joking anymore. 754 00:30:07,264 --> 00:30:08,366 - You say you've never done drugs, 755 00:30:08,390 --> 00:30:11,119 but watching your success has put me in rehab twice. 756 00:30:11,143 --> 00:30:14,163 So thanks for ripping my soul out, ya hillbilly... 757 00:30:14,187 --> 00:30:15,957 (audience applauds) 758 00:30:15,981 --> 00:30:17,875 - We interviewed Greg for "I Am Comic," 759 00:30:17,899 --> 00:30:20,628 a documentary, right here at the Comedy Cellar. 760 00:30:20,652 --> 00:30:22,922 He said to me, "I understand you're sober a long time. 761 00:30:22,946 --> 00:30:23,923 I wanna talk about that." 762 00:30:23,947 --> 00:30:26,259 So we moved to the other end of the Comedy Cellar, 763 00:30:26,283 --> 00:30:29,470 just Greg and I, no camera, and talked about sobriety. 764 00:30:29,494 --> 00:30:31,597 We move all the way down to that corner booth, 765 00:30:31,621 --> 00:30:32,890 all the way down there. 766 00:30:32,914 --> 00:30:34,851 I can still see us sitting there. 767 00:30:34,875 --> 00:30:36,769 And Greg says, "I can't get over the fact 768 00:30:36,793 --> 00:30:38,104 that Larry the Cable Guy's a big star 769 00:30:38,128 --> 00:30:39,313 and I'm still working nightclubs." 770 00:30:39,337 --> 00:30:41,065 I get that, if you want all 771 00:30:41,089 --> 00:30:42,692 of Larry the Cable Guy's success, 772 00:30:42,716 --> 00:30:43,569 you have to have everything. 773 00:30:43,593 --> 00:30:44,736 You have to do his act in front 774 00:30:44,760 --> 00:30:45,987 of his audience, you want that? 775 00:30:46,011 --> 00:30:47,780 And he laughed, "Okay, that's funny. 776 00:30:47,804 --> 00:30:49,282 Yeah, I get it, I don't want that. 777 00:30:49,306 --> 00:30:52,076 I just want to be successful on my own terms." 778 00:30:52,100 --> 00:30:54,203 I told him, "You have to have acceptance." 779 00:30:54,227 --> 00:30:56,813 - Anyway, now more Larry the Cable Guy. 780 00:30:58,398 --> 00:30:59,584 - [Dave] In his academic career, 781 00:30:59,608 --> 00:31:02,086 his hard work had been rewarded, 782 00:31:02,110 --> 00:31:04,130 but show business was different. 783 00:31:04,154 --> 00:31:05,673 - It's all bullshit. 784 00:31:05,697 --> 00:31:09,052 Like if you're the best brick layer in town, 785 00:31:09,076 --> 00:31:11,054 that's gonna get out and people are gonna be like, 786 00:31:11,078 --> 00:31:11,930 "All right, you need to put bricks, 787 00:31:11,954 --> 00:31:13,931 you gotta get this guy, Billy." 788 00:31:13,955 --> 00:31:16,017 Well, in the entertainment industry, 789 00:31:16,041 --> 00:31:19,437 it's all smoke and mirrors, it's a perception business. 790 00:31:19,461 --> 00:31:21,963 - Show business is not about justice, not at all. 791 00:31:23,048 --> 00:31:26,986 - He would be depressed about his lack of success, 792 00:31:27,010 --> 00:31:30,615 {\an8}ticket sales, why am I an up and coming young comedian 793 00:31:30,639 --> 00:31:31,824 {\an8}for 20 years. 794 00:31:31,848 --> 00:31:34,494 - He would compare himself to other comics and say, 795 00:31:34,518 --> 00:31:36,704 "I should be better at this, I should be better at that. 796 00:31:36,728 --> 00:31:38,039 I should be a better actor. 797 00:31:38,063 --> 00:31:41,441 People keep telling me I'm this, I'm not." 798 00:31:42,609 --> 00:31:45,254 - [Dave] The toxic mix of addiction and inadequacy 799 00:31:45,278 --> 00:31:47,840 was starting to get the better of him. 800 00:31:47,864 --> 00:31:49,092 - Oh God, are you kidding? 801 00:31:49,116 --> 00:31:51,427 I mean, did I ever witness Greg relapsing? 802 00:31:51,451 --> 00:31:55,181 I mean, I'd walk into some of the most horrific scenes 803 00:31:55,205 --> 00:32:00,210 of self hatred and just despondence of, you know, 804 00:32:01,336 --> 00:32:05,775 hotel rooms and depression and empty bottles. 805 00:32:05,799 --> 00:32:07,819 And you know, I mean, I've seen a lot 806 00:32:07,843 --> 00:32:12,615 of it really up close and it was not pretty. 807 00:32:12,639 --> 00:32:16,410 - At a certain point, it started to affect the work. 808 00:32:16,434 --> 00:32:19,789 He would show up late or he would miss something. 809 00:32:19,813 --> 00:32:20,915 - Like my life is so much harder now 810 00:32:20,939 --> 00:32:21,916 than it was when I was younger. 811 00:32:21,940 --> 00:32:24,043 I wanna be... ed up now all the time, you know? 812 00:32:24,067 --> 00:32:26,420 But I can't because now I'm an alcoholic 813 00:32:26,444 --> 00:32:29,048 and I can't drink at all 'cause when I do, 814 00:32:29,072 --> 00:32:31,259 I end up snorting crystal meth off a switch blade 815 00:32:31,283 --> 00:32:33,469 in some after hours bar thinking, 816 00:32:33,493 --> 00:32:36,931 "Shit, I'm gonna be late for my flight in the morning." 817 00:32:36,955 --> 00:32:38,015 Except it's like two in the afternoon 818 00:32:38,039 --> 00:32:39,684 and the flight was six weeks ago and you're like, 819 00:32:39,708 --> 00:32:41,978 "Holy shit, how did that happen?" 820 00:32:42,002 --> 00:32:43,104 - There were also times when, 821 00:32:43,128 --> 00:32:45,481 like I would go in the men's room 822 00:32:45,505 --> 00:32:48,067 and he would be talking to some drunk guy 823 00:32:48,091 --> 00:32:50,194 and he would be about to be in a fist fight 824 00:32:50,218 --> 00:32:52,780 with someone and I'm like, "What the... are you doing?" 825 00:32:52,804 --> 00:32:54,931 So like, there was an anger underneath it. 826 00:32:55,932 --> 00:32:58,703 - [Dave] Giraldo's inability to manage his addictions 827 00:32:58,727 --> 00:33:00,913 and hi worsening mental health began 828 00:33:00,937 --> 00:33:04,649 to intrude on what was once his sanctuary, his home. 829 00:33:05,609 --> 00:33:08,713 - Our house was, from what I remember, super happy. 830 00:33:08,737 --> 00:33:10,006 Both our mother and our father, 831 00:33:10,030 --> 00:33:12,884 they made a very deliberate effort to separate 832 00:33:12,908 --> 00:33:16,119 what might have made my childhood abnormal. 833 00:33:17,287 --> 00:33:20,850 - He could have said the road and family life, 834 00:33:20,874 --> 00:33:22,894 these two things don't coexist. 835 00:33:22,918 --> 00:33:25,795 They're not working and I'm gonna make a change, 836 00:33:26,796 --> 00:33:27,923 but he didn't do that. 837 00:33:29,424 --> 00:33:31,486 - He showed up at a parent teacher meeting 838 00:33:31,510 --> 00:33:35,656 and his hands jittery, clearly signs of withdrawal 839 00:33:35,680 --> 00:33:37,366 and Maryanne was worried. 840 00:33:37,390 --> 00:33:39,952 - The counsel that his wife Maryanne was getting 841 00:33:39,976 --> 00:33:44,981 was really foundational, tough love kinds of things. 842 00:33:45,690 --> 00:33:48,711 - Maryanne ultimately kicked him out of the house 843 00:33:48,735 --> 00:33:51,529 because she wanted what was best for the family. 844 00:33:52,906 --> 00:33:54,884 - [Dave] As Giraldo grappled with addiction 845 00:33:54,908 --> 00:33:56,427 and mental health issues, 846 00:33:56,451 --> 00:33:59,037 he grew alienated from some people close to him. 847 00:34:00,038 --> 00:34:02,308 - Some of the behavior towards the end 848 00:34:02,332 --> 00:34:05,394 was a natural distancing from people. 849 00:34:05,418 --> 00:34:07,254 {\an8}It surprised me how bad it had gotten. 850 00:34:08,129 --> 00:34:10,107 Basically said, "Hey, this isn't really 851 00:34:10,131 --> 00:34:11,692 a two-way friendship anymore. 852 00:34:11,716 --> 00:34:14,862 It really is me looking out for you, and I always will, 853 00:34:14,886 --> 00:34:17,347 I love you, but you know, you should get help." 854 00:34:18,265 --> 00:34:20,993 - I don't think Greg ever respected how outmatched he 855 00:34:21,017 --> 00:34:23,371 was by his own illness. 856 00:34:23,395 --> 00:34:24,830 And I would try to tell him, 857 00:34:24,854 --> 00:34:27,750 this is so nothing to... Around with Greg, (scoffs) 858 00:34:27,774 --> 00:34:29,627 like this is not gonna go well. 859 00:34:29,651 --> 00:34:32,362 (dramatic music) 860 00:34:36,908 --> 00:34:39,661 (dramatic music) 861 00:34:40,537 --> 00:34:41,305 - Should he come home? 862 00:34:41,329 --> 00:34:42,182 Should he just not come home? 863 00:34:42,206 --> 00:34:43,432 - Maybe he shouldn't come home. 864 00:34:43,456 --> 00:34:45,393 - Maybe he should start banging other broads. 865 00:34:45,417 --> 00:34:46,477 (audience laughs) 866 00:34:46,501 --> 00:34:48,187 - [Dave] Privately, Greg Giraldo's life 867 00:34:48,211 --> 00:34:49,855 had never been worse, 868 00:34:49,879 --> 00:34:53,192 but professionally things seemed to be taking a turn. 869 00:34:53,216 --> 00:34:55,987 - [Craig] You'll decide who will win $250,000 870 00:34:56,011 --> 00:34:59,532 and the title of Last Comic Standing. 871 00:34:59,556 --> 00:35:01,450 (audience applauds) 872 00:35:01,474 --> 00:35:02,451 - The "Last Comic Standing" thing 873 00:35:02,475 --> 00:35:05,371 {\an8}was sort of out of left field. 874 00:35:05,395 --> 00:35:07,540 - Felipe, thank you for making me feel better 875 00:35:07,564 --> 00:35:08,958 about my parenting skills. 876 00:35:08,982 --> 00:35:10,418 (audience laughs) 877 00:35:10,442 --> 00:35:13,045 - He was my biggest fan on "Last Comic Standing." 878 00:35:13,069 --> 00:35:15,214 - [Dave] Stand-up's answer to "American Idol," 879 00:35:15,238 --> 00:35:19,427 NBC's "Last Comic Standing" gave upstart comedians a chance 880 00:35:19,451 --> 00:35:22,888 to hone their chops in front of a panel of veterans. 881 00:35:22,912 --> 00:35:24,265 - [Natasha] Tiffany, do another joke. 882 00:35:24,289 --> 00:35:25,850 - And incorporate the word iguana. 883 00:35:25,874 --> 00:35:27,476 (Andy laughs) 884 00:35:27,500 --> 00:35:29,729 - Greg was very reluctant to take the job 885 00:35:29,753 --> 00:35:30,938 at "Last Comic Standing." 886 00:35:30,962 --> 00:35:32,857 {\an8}He didn't want to be the Simon Cowell type, 887 00:35:32,881 --> 00:35:34,859 {\an8}he didn't want to just put people down. 888 00:35:34,883 --> 00:35:37,695 - You describe the bad kiss so perfectly it took me 889 00:35:37,719 --> 00:35:40,406 all the way back to when I was an altar boy. 890 00:35:40,430 --> 00:35:42,616 - I think he wanted to be a mentor to a lot 891 00:35:42,640 --> 00:35:45,202 of the comedians who auditioned for "Last Comic Standing." 892 00:35:45,226 --> 00:35:48,039 - Felipe, you are awesome, you're a total original. 893 00:35:48,063 --> 00:35:50,774 I think you're just great and congratulations on everything. 894 00:35:51,858 --> 00:35:53,127 - [Dave] It looked like the roastmaster 895 00:35:53,151 --> 00:35:55,046 was entering a new chapter, 896 00:35:55,070 --> 00:35:57,590 but he was still battling his demons. 897 00:35:57,614 --> 00:36:00,885 - Getting divorced again, and you know, a lot of people, 898 00:36:00,909 --> 00:36:02,952 [Audience Cheers] Yeah. 899 00:36:05,288 --> 00:36:06,640 It means every 10 years or so, 900 00:36:06,664 --> 00:36:09,226 I gotta give all my shit away and start from scratch. 901 00:36:09,250 --> 00:36:09,978 (audience laughs) 902 00:36:10,002 --> 00:36:11,896 {\an8}- When the marriage was breaking up and stuff, 903 00:36:11,920 --> 00:36:15,024 {\an8}he was, you know, like he was just very honest. 904 00:36:15,048 --> 00:36:15,859 - I'd vote against both of them. 905 00:36:15,883 --> 00:36:17,485 Why should they be married when I'm not married? 906 00:36:17,509 --> 00:36:19,153 (audience laughs) 907 00:36:19,177 --> 00:36:22,698 {\an8}- Truth and pain, comedy, all right. (chuckles) 908 00:36:22,722 --> 00:36:24,641 - How is the dude sleeping dead center, 909 00:36:25,850 --> 00:36:27,661 that is... ing great. 910 00:36:27,685 --> 00:36:29,121 Doesn't strike you as a weird choice 911 00:36:29,145 --> 00:36:32,708 to fall asleep in the third row of my big TV taping. 912 00:36:32,732 --> 00:36:33,959 - There was a demise. 913 00:36:33,983 --> 00:36:34,960 Greg's final year, 914 00:36:34,984 --> 00:36:37,129 I could see the pathology increasing 915 00:36:37,153 --> 00:36:39,006 and I could see the disconnect. 916 00:36:39,030 --> 00:36:40,466 I could see him getting worse. 917 00:36:40,490 --> 00:36:43,886 - Coming up next, Flo Abrams has some advice on 918 00:36:43,910 --> 00:36:46,347 how to avoid that nasty holiday hangover. 919 00:36:46,371 --> 00:36:47,348 But they're never like tips 920 00:36:47,372 --> 00:36:48,849 that would help people like me, you know? 921 00:36:48,873 --> 00:36:50,726 Flo's like, "Drink plenty of water." 922 00:36:50,750 --> 00:36:53,646 Oh. (audience laughs) 923 00:36:53,670 --> 00:36:55,481 Flo's like, "Don't call your dealer 924 00:36:55,505 --> 00:36:56,982 for that third eight ball in a row." 925 00:36:57,006 --> 00:36:58,442 (audience laughs) 926 00:36:58,466 --> 00:37:01,237 That'll leave a nasty sting in the morning. 927 00:37:01,261 --> 00:37:03,989 - [Dave] Giraldo's success had a way of covering 928 00:37:04,013 --> 00:37:05,866 for his deeper issues. 929 00:37:05,890 --> 00:37:07,243 Some longtime friends, 930 00:37:07,267 --> 00:37:10,246 never suspected that things had gotten so bad. 931 00:37:10,270 --> 00:37:14,875 {\an8}- Well, I knew that Greg had a substance abuse problem, 932 00:37:14,899 --> 00:37:16,752 but I really thought he was, 933 00:37:16,776 --> 00:37:19,588 I don't wanna say past this, 'cause you're never past it, 934 00:37:19,612 --> 00:37:21,156 but he was in a good place. 935 00:37:22,157 --> 00:37:24,135 - I wasn't worried about Greg. 936 00:37:24,159 --> 00:37:29,348 {\an8}Even when he started doing a rehab, or another rehab, 937 00:37:29,372 --> 00:37:31,833 {\an8}I viewed Greg as always winning. 938 00:37:33,084 --> 00:37:35,020 - [Dave] Giraldo's issues may have been compounded 939 00:37:35,044 --> 00:37:38,858 by his intelligence, which had served him well as a student, 940 00:37:38,882 --> 00:37:42,153 a lawyer, and a stand-up comic. 941 00:37:42,177 --> 00:37:44,780 - Greg's blessing and Greg's curse was he was brilliant. 942 00:37:44,804 --> 00:37:49,827 Really smart people are very rarely happy, it's a curse. 943 00:37:49,851 --> 00:37:52,371 They see it and they can't rationalize their way around it. 944 00:37:52,395 --> 00:37:55,749 It's the reality of them, and the world, and the rest of it. 945 00:37:55,773 --> 00:37:57,501 Ba-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat. 946 00:37:57,525 --> 00:38:01,422 - Sometimes they're these guys and they're so smart 947 00:38:01,446 --> 00:38:06,451 {\an8}that it's hard to just get a simple kind of way 948 00:38:06,868 --> 00:38:09,847 {\an8}of life about sobriety or a program, 949 00:38:09,871 --> 00:38:11,932 wherever the program is. 950 00:38:11,956 --> 00:38:13,791 {\an8}- He was brilliant, very smart. 951 00:38:14,709 --> 00:38:17,438 {\an8}You can't outsmart addiction, you can't outsmart it. 952 00:38:17,462 --> 00:38:19,315 - He never took to the culture 953 00:38:19,339 --> 00:38:20,983 and that's all we ever offered him. 954 00:38:21,007 --> 00:38:22,818 Go to rehab, go to rehab, go to rehab, 955 00:38:22,842 --> 00:38:26,530 which was AA indoctrination camps, right? 956 00:38:26,554 --> 00:38:28,866 - You think, "Well, I'm so smart in these other areas 957 00:38:28,890 --> 00:38:29,784 I can work this out. 958 00:38:29,808 --> 00:38:32,495 I can figure out how to do less drugs." 959 00:38:32,519 --> 00:38:34,246 Maybe it was combinations off. 960 00:38:34,270 --> 00:38:36,499 Maybe do less of this more of that. 961 00:38:36,523 --> 00:38:37,833 You can't outsmart addiction. 962 00:38:37,857 --> 00:38:40,860 You have to just give up, surrender, and live clean. 963 00:38:42,779 --> 00:38:46,342 - [Dave] It all came to a head on September 26th, 2010 964 00:38:46,366 --> 00:38:49,637 in a place Giraldo found utterly familiar. 965 00:38:49,661 --> 00:38:51,722 - Greg finished a Friday show 966 00:38:51,746 --> 00:38:54,308 at the Stress Factory in New Jersey. 967 00:38:54,332 --> 00:38:57,770 He went out and a fan supplied him 968 00:38:57,794 --> 00:39:01,357 with Oxy, cocaine, and booze. 969 00:39:01,381 --> 00:39:04,026 The next day, Saturday, he was scheduled 970 00:39:04,050 --> 00:39:07,029 to perform at a sobriety event. 971 00:39:07,053 --> 00:39:09,490 - Kind of put together this thing for recovery month 972 00:39:09,514 --> 00:39:12,618 and Courtney Love was gonna do an acoustic set 973 00:39:12,642 --> 00:39:16,830 and Greg was going to introduce her and do 10 minutes. 974 00:39:16,854 --> 00:39:19,959 And Greg had sent a text, "I can't make it." 975 00:39:19,983 --> 00:39:24,028 You know, "I'm really sorry, I'm not gonna make it." 976 00:39:25,446 --> 00:39:27,841 - The reality is, yeah, 977 00:39:27,865 --> 00:39:31,452 New Jersey comedy club hotel by yourself, blah. 978 00:39:32,996 --> 00:39:34,765 That's where it really gets you. 979 00:39:34,789 --> 00:39:37,750 (dramatic music) 980 00:39:42,630 --> 00:39:45,174 (somber music) 981 00:39:47,260 --> 00:39:49,780 - [Dave] Struggling with addiction and mounting feelings 982 00:39:49,804 --> 00:39:53,534 of inadequacy, Greg Giraldo overdosed sometime 983 00:39:53,558 --> 00:39:57,621 in the evening of September 26th, 2010. 984 00:39:57,645 --> 00:40:00,124 He was rushed to a New Jersey hospital. 985 00:40:00,148 --> 00:40:02,751 - I remember Tom Papa called me 986 00:40:02,775 --> 00:40:05,963 and told me that Greg was in the hospital. 987 00:40:05,987 --> 00:40:07,881 Even at that point, I was like, 988 00:40:07,905 --> 00:40:09,842 "Well, it's gonna be fine." 989 00:40:09,866 --> 00:40:13,887 Again, it's gonna be this incredible redemption story. 990 00:40:13,911 --> 00:40:18,975 Like, I imagined him in some HBO special making fun 991 00:40:18,999 --> 00:40:21,628 of himself for being in a hospital. 992 00:40:22,879 --> 00:40:26,925 - New Jersey, after a late show at the Stress, no, 993 00:40:27,925 --> 00:40:30,154 this is, come on. 994 00:40:30,178 --> 00:40:32,615 It was heartbreaking. 995 00:40:32,639 --> 00:40:34,241 - I called Maryanne, she said, 996 00:40:34,265 --> 00:40:35,784 "You should come down." 997 00:40:35,808 --> 00:40:37,328 And I went down to the hospital 998 00:40:37,352 --> 00:40:39,830 when I remember Colin Quinn was coming out of the room 999 00:40:39,854 --> 00:40:41,665 and I was walking into the room. 1000 00:40:41,689 --> 00:40:44,418 And he was lying there with tubes in his mouth. 1001 00:40:44,442 --> 00:40:46,128 - You know, and he was in a coma for, I don't know, 1002 00:40:46,152 --> 00:40:50,341 five days or so afterwards, and, and it was a process. 1003 00:40:50,365 --> 00:40:52,325 I mean, going to see him that way. 1004 00:40:54,285 --> 00:40:56,847 - [Dave] After the doctors ruled that there was no chance 1005 00:40:56,871 --> 00:40:59,850 of survival, Greg's family made the decision 1006 00:40:59,874 --> 00:41:01,167 to pull life support. 1007 00:41:02,043 --> 00:41:06,607 - The comedy world lost a good man and a great comic. 1008 00:41:06,631 --> 00:41:08,776 - If you understand addiction, like yeah, 1009 00:41:08,800 --> 00:41:10,736 like part of you is like shocked 1010 00:41:10,760 --> 00:41:11,737 when that phone call happens, 1011 00:41:11,761 --> 00:41:12,946 and the other part of you is like, 1012 00:41:12,970 --> 00:41:15,407 "Oh, okay, I guess it was today is the day," you know? 1013 00:41:15,431 --> 00:41:18,118 - Steve you're my best friend, I love you, man. 1014 00:41:18,142 --> 00:41:20,829 - I think Greg's death was definitely accidental. 1015 00:41:20,853 --> 00:41:22,289 Never in a million years 1016 00:41:22,313 --> 00:41:27,086 would he intentionally leave his kids, 1017 00:41:27,110 --> 00:41:29,445 me, quite frankly, I'd kill him. 1018 00:41:30,530 --> 00:41:32,299 - [Dave] A New York Times obituary summed up 1019 00:41:32,323 --> 00:41:33,700 Giraldo's legacy. 1020 00:41:34,492 --> 00:41:38,722 - Insult humor comic, that would not be Greg Giraldo. 1021 00:41:38,746 --> 00:41:40,683 - Oh, he must have been pissed. 1022 00:41:40,707 --> 00:41:44,186 I want insult comic on my... ing grave. 1023 00:41:44,210 --> 00:41:46,063 - That's really unfortunate, 1024 00:41:46,087 --> 00:41:47,731 I don't think that captures Greg. 1025 00:41:47,755 --> 00:41:48,899 - Mr. Greg Giraldo. 1026 00:41:48,923 --> 00:41:51,694 (audience applauds) 1027 00:41:51,718 --> 00:41:53,779 - I remember Giraldo said some mean shit 1028 00:41:53,803 --> 00:41:54,822 at one of the roasts, 1029 00:41:54,846 --> 00:41:57,700 and I think it was when he was in the throes of addiction. 1030 00:41:57,724 --> 00:42:00,119 We're going from LA to New York after the roast. 1031 00:42:00,143 --> 00:42:02,621 And I see him at the gate and I'm like hiding, 1032 00:42:02,645 --> 00:42:05,958 'cause like, I don't wanna get my feelings hurt again. 1033 00:42:05,982 --> 00:42:08,460 We're on the plane and I'm totally like, 1034 00:42:08,484 --> 00:42:10,879 "Oh my God, I hope he doesn't see me." 1035 00:42:10,903 --> 00:42:14,341 And as he's getting off the plane, it was so, 1036 00:42:14,365 --> 00:42:17,803 this was his real self, he just grabs me 1037 00:42:17,827 --> 00:42:19,722 and he kisses me really hard on the cheek 1038 00:42:19,746 --> 00:42:22,891 and he goes, "Great ing job." 1039 00:42:22,915 --> 00:42:25,561 And he walks off the plane and I was like crying 1040 00:42:25,585 --> 00:42:28,063 because I was like, that's the real... ing Greg. 1041 00:42:28,087 --> 00:42:30,399 (audience applauds) 1042 00:42:30,423 --> 00:42:32,234 - He's the comic I wanted to be. 1043 00:42:32,258 --> 00:42:35,696 He's a dad, he's a husband, he's a son. 1044 00:42:35,720 --> 00:42:37,990 Ing Harvard Law School grad. 1045 00:42:38,014 --> 00:42:42,453 And he still couldn't control these impulses. 1046 00:42:42,477 --> 00:42:47,482 So I think he kind of humanizes this business. 1047 00:42:48,441 --> 00:42:50,794 - As special as Greg is 1048 00:42:50,818 --> 00:42:55,198 that self-destructive streak, the tragic ending, 1049 00:42:56,073 --> 00:42:59,136 that could be anybody, do you know what I mean? 1050 00:42:59,160 --> 00:43:00,554 - I don't think, culturally, 1051 00:43:00,578 --> 00:43:05,017 we understand that mental health shortens lifespans. 1052 00:43:05,041 --> 00:43:07,394 We understand cancer does, 1053 00:43:07,418 --> 00:43:09,897 we understand hypertension can, 1054 00:43:09,921 --> 00:43:10,898 you know those kinds of things, 1055 00:43:10,922 --> 00:43:15,110 but we don't equate physical health with mental health. 1056 00:43:15,134 --> 00:43:18,322 I think Greg was one of those people who 1057 00:43:18,346 --> 00:43:20,431 was just not gonna be here for very long. 1058 00:43:21,307 --> 00:43:23,202 - [Dave] But in that short time, 1059 00:43:23,226 --> 00:43:27,581 Giraldo left an indelible mark on modern comedy. 1060 00:43:27,605 --> 00:43:28,957 - I will tell you, 1061 00:43:28,981 --> 00:43:31,460 if he had been sober, and straight, 1062 00:43:31,484 --> 00:43:36,632 and had lived another series of years, Greg would be a star. 1063 00:43:36,656 --> 00:43:38,634 Greg would be a superstar. 1064 00:43:38,658 --> 00:43:41,762 - Truth is, I think had he not self sabotaged 1065 00:43:41,786 --> 00:43:43,847 because of the addiction, 1066 00:43:43,871 --> 00:43:46,266 I think he would've had everything, you know, 1067 00:43:46,290 --> 00:43:47,834 that was coming to him, I think. 1068 00:43:49,544 --> 00:43:50,938 {\an8}- He was a very good dad. 1069 00:43:50,962 --> 00:43:53,649 {\an8}Also, he was pretty good comic. 1070 00:43:53,673 --> 00:43:56,509 {\an8}So both of those, pretty good arguer too. 1071 00:43:57,885 --> 00:44:00,697 {\an8}- I know he was constantly pegged by insecurity, 1072 00:44:00,721 --> 00:44:03,867 {\an8}but I would let him know that he was enough. 1073 00:44:03,891 --> 00:44:06,328 {\an8}- Thank you for laugh, everybody, I gotta go. 1074 00:44:06,352 --> 00:44:09,146 {\an8}(dramatic music)