Meet Me In New York: Dan St. Germain

What do they say about New York City: There are eight million stories, and sometimes it seems as though eight million of the people telling them think they're comedians? No, that's not it. It is a fact, though, that America's biggest city is also its biggest comedy mecca. Hollywood may be Hollywood, but New York City is where comedians are born funny, become funny or arrive to thrust their funny upon us. I think we should meet some of these people. This is a new recurring feature, a mini-profile of newcomers, up-and-comers and overcomers of New York's vibrant comedy scene. It's called Meet Me In New York.

Danstgermain You know how they say sometimes you need to leave the city you live in to find success? Well, most comedians who move to New York City do that, but I bring it up because the first time I really saw the funny potential of one Dan St. Germain, we were both in Boston and not one of the many NYC shows at which I could have seen him. St. Germain might not have won 2009's Boston Comedy Festival contest, but under all of that hair there's some funny stuff coming out of his mouth. He also went to college in Evansville, Indiana, which is about as close as I can come to finding a funny Indiana transplant not named Jim Gaffigan in advance of the Colts trip to the Super Bowl. Fun facts. Let's find out more!

Name: Dan St. Germain

Arrival date: May 2006

Arrived from: College in Indiana though I’m originally from Jersey.

When and where did you start performing comedy? I‘d done standup three or four times before I came here. Once in college, three times in high school. I guess I really got my start in NYC, Sept 2006.

What was your best credit before moving here? As far as my best credit before NYC is concerned, I’ll go with the one show where I wasn’t heckled. I opened for my friend’s jam band. I think it’s cause everybody was tripping really hard and they were too scared to tell me I sucked.

Why did you pick NYC over LA or anywhere else? I picked NYC because I don’t have a car and cocaine was more expensive in LA at the time. In LA everyone’s act is just another way for them to show off their acting chops. “My Boss is meaner than Richard the 3rd! You don’t know who Richard the 3rd is? Let me refresh you… “Tis’ the winter of our discontent…

How long did it take to get your first paid gig in NYC after moving here? About a year.

How is this scene better/same/worse than the scene you moved from? More jokes about Facebook.

Do you already have an "only in New York City" moment yet? I heard some meowing on the 1 train and turned around pissed off because I thought it was a crazy person. It was a cat. Only New York can make you believe you’re more likely to run into some guy who thinks he’s a cat than an actual cat.

What tip would you give to any comedian who moves here? Be humble but don’t kiss ass either. Love your work cause if you don’t nobody else will give a shit. And don’t fall into the bringer trap.

Where do you see yourself five years from now? I’m envious of people who can do a little bit of everything. Whether that’s Patton Oswalt, Will Oldham, or Sam Shepard. God that makes me sound like I’m from Williamsburg. As long as I’m not doing a one man show about finding myself then I’m cool.

Where can you see him sometime soon? I’m doing a show on February 12 at Stand Up NY at 10pm. If you like my clip, please come by.

Here's that clip, from a recent gig at Comix (note: may contain language that's NSFW):

Which NYC comedian would you like to see me style and profile next for Meet Me In New York? Send your nominations to: thecomicscomic AT gmail DOT com

Sean L. McCarthy

Editor and publisher since 2007, when he was named New York's Funniest Reporter. Former newspaper reporter at the New York Daily News, Boston Herald and smaller dailies and community papers across America. Loves comedy so much he founded this site.

View all posts by Sean L. McCarthy →

3 thoughts on “Meet Me In New York: Dan St. Germain

  1. “In LA everyone‚Äôs act is just another way for them to show off their acting chops.”
    what total horseshit. the stand up scene is much stronger in LA than NYC.

Comments are closed.