Experts
Caroline Hirsch
Owner, Carolines on Broadway
Recent Activity
Looked out your window lately? The world is crashing and burning all around us. In the past few weeks, we have seen a number of devastating losses. Lehman Brothers: bankrupt. Merrill Lynch: bought out. Jeff Ross on "Dancing With The Stars": kaput. As the economy collapses and political scandals keep flaring up like bad rashes, where should America turn for answers? What's going to keep us from falling apart? The answer: laughter. With the destruction of hurricanes, America at war, and $700 billion of taxpayers' money on the line, it might seem rude to fritter our time away laughing. Granted, it's never polite to laugh at a funeral. But after the funeral, everyone needs a good laugh to help relieve the tension. And what a funeral it is. Even in less trying times, humor has long been associated with a healthier, happier life. According to numerous psychological studies, laughter improves physical and mental health. The ability to use humor has been shown to help blood flow, reduce stress, and improve immune system response. Duke University researchers have also found that laughter has many of the same physical effects as exercise. Too lazy to go the gym, America? Veg out with an episode of "Seinfeld" instead! More than simple distraction, though, comedy generates discussion and helps us look at our lives with perspective. Writers have been using satire in times of political turmoil for centuries from Aristophanes' send-ups of the ancient Greeks to Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal" in which he advocates eating babies as a solution to Ireland's population problems. Comedy allows writers to make shocking statements and express opinions that the more timid among us might be afraid to say. Take Governor Sarah Palin, whose extreme right-wing views, lack of experience, and ignorance about the economy instill a sense of shock and horror in our nation's liberals. She cluelessly blinked her way through an interview with ABC newsman Charles Gibson, steering the conversation away from the Bush Doctrine and towards her kids, Track, Tink, and Thomas the Tank Engine. But the public barely batted an eye. Where was our sense of uproar? It wasn't until Tina Fey skewered her later that week on Saturday Night Live that America finally seemed to recognize that it was okay to make fun of her. Two weeks ago ratings for Comedy Central's "The Daily Show" were the highest in the show's history, up 28% over its year-to-date average. There's no denying that a large portion of today's Americans are getting their news from "The Daily Show" and "The Colbert Report". Perhaps a little levity is what's needed to balance the sickening taste of government screw-ups and banking catastrophes. Describing the show's appeal, host Jon Stewart has said, "If you watch the news and don't like it, then this is your counter to the news." Even big-name politicians are using comedy to reach out to viewers. In the last two weeks former President Bill Clinton and Prime Minister Tony Blair have both appeared at Stewart's desk. John McCain has appeared on "The Daily Show" a whopping 14 times. Either they recognize that young people are getting their news with a side of jokes nowadays or they need their own daily dose of comedic medicine. So next time you're watching your stocks plummet and your temper rise, make a joke. You gotta laugh to keep from crying.
October 3, 2008, 5:09 PM
As founder and owner of the world-renowned comedy nightclub that bears her name, and as the reigning queen of the New York comedy scene for the past twenty-five years, Caroline Hirsch has consistently proven herself as an entrepreneur, visionary and innovator in the entertainment industry. As one of the country’s most popular destinations for live entertainment, Carolines on Broadway stands as the crowning achievement of Hirsch’s illustrious career.Hirsch’s storied career in comedy began in 1982 when she opened a small cabaret club in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood. With the popularity of stand-up comedy on the rise, she began booking comedians – including such then-unknowns as Jay Leno, Jerry Seinfeld, Garry Shandling, Sandra Bernhard, Pee Wee Herman, Billy Crystal, and, later, Chris Rock -- to perform at her club.In 1987, Caroline moved the club to the South Street Seaport where it became a full-fledged comedy nightclub, the first of its genre to offer high-quality entertainment and equally excellent food in a sophisticated, upscale environment. In order to meet the growing demand for business, Hirsch moved her club uptown where it has played an integral part in the revitalization of Times Square. In November 2004, Hirsch launched the New York Comedy Festival (www.nycomedyfestival.com), a weeklong comedy festival that features comedy’s biggest stars performing in New York’s most prestigious venues.Hirsch serves as a board member of The Creative Coalition and implemented the highly successful Stand-Up for Class program in both the New York City and Los Angeles public school systems. She is also a board member of the Times Square Alliance (formerly the Times Business Improvement District); NYC & Company, the city’s official tourism marketing organization; the board of The Association for the Help of Retarded Children; and the national advisory board of Count Me In, a micro lending organization for women. Additionally, she formerly sat on the board of the Ms. Foundation. During her tenure with the organization Hirsch was instrumental in launching the Take Our Daughters To Work program.Hirsch also just stepped from behind the scenes and into the spotlight to co-host a new weekly segment on ABC’s “Good Morning America NOW,” which can be seen on ABC Online and on its cable network ABC News NOW. The segment, called “Carolines on Good Morning America NOW” features lively discussions with many of the top comedians who perform at her club.
