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Arts & Entertainment

Comedian Tackles Mosque, JetBlue Flight Attendant Tonight

For his sixth performance at Scotty's, Paul Bond combines topical humor with song parodies.

 

Paul Bond is no stranger to the stage at Scotty's Steak House.

His performance this weekend at the restaurant's Comedy Cove marks his sixth appearance since first gracing the stage in January 2008.

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"The first time I performed there, my good friend Ed Cavanaugh was the manager," Bond, who has been performing stand-up for 20 years, said over the phone yesterday.

Cavanaugh, who used to manage the room and serve as entertainment director, left in December of last year to run the Gotham Comedy Club in New York, although he still books the talent that appears at Scotty's. However, Bond said he still likes coming back.

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Bond describes his comedic style as George Carlin-esque with a bit of Steve Martin. Like Martin, who counted his banjo as one of his essential props, Bond uses music to underscore his commentary on current events and politics through his  own guitar accompaniment.

The Long Island-born comedian, who said he prides himself on constantly refreshing his act, currently touches on such topics as JetBlue flight attendant Steven Slater's dramatic plane exit and the mosque controversy in New York during his set.

"I love the fact that new stuff happens every day," he said. "It's like giving birth."

In addition to his topical humor, Bond is currently working on what he describes as a prequel to George Carlin's "7 Dirty Words" act. He described Carlin, who actually died on his birthday, as his favorite comedian, and said the piece takes a look at how those words came to be considered dirty.

Since beginning his stand-up career at the now-defunct East Side Comedy Club in 1990, Bond has worked his way up the New York comedy scene and now headlines clubs nationwide. He even toured with "Saturday Night Live" alumnus Jim Breuer for two and a half years, appearing as his guest comedian and playing guitar in his back-up band, and can be seen on his Comedy Central Special, "Jim Breuer: Hardcore."

"Touring with Jim really got my name out there," Bond said. "He really helped me out a lot."

Bond also makes regular appearances on radio shows, such as "The Opie & Anthony Show" and "The Ron and Fez Show," during which he provides commentary and performs his song parodies.

Bond will perform at 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday at The Comedy Cove at Scotty's Steak House. His set will be preceded by comedians Kendall "Shorty" Ward and Melissa Doran. Tickets are $12. Visit their website for more information.

 

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