Colin Quinn: The New York Story Netflix Review

Colin Quinn: The New York Story (2016)

Colin Quinn: The New York Story - A history lesson mixed with stand up comedy.

Watch Colin Quinn: The New York Story on Netflix
Starring: Colin Quinn
Directed by: Jerry Seinfeld
Rated: TV-MA/R

Plot
Directed by Jerry Seinfeld, Colin Quinn performs his off-Broadway show about the history of New York and its people.

Verdict
This comedy special is distinctly focused. New York is the theme, and every joke Quinn delivers expands on the history and culture of New York. He explains why New York is this rude, busy city by going through the history of the people that immigrated to New York.
It's educational and comedic, while mocking basic human nature.
Watch it.

Review 
From the opening this looks like more than just a comedy show. Colin Quinn walks onto an expansive stage with intricately detailed sets that include a dock, a bar, a subway, turnstile, stairs, and a retail area. Comedy specials rarely have a set this detailed. I was surprised he didn't use the sets more. While Quinn does use a few of the sets as backdrops for his jokes, it's mainly set dressing to make it feel more like a history lesson, which is exactly what it is.

While I would hesitate to cite Quinn's comedy special as fact, he knows the subject well and has a passion for the city. The framework for his routine is how New York developed it's culture. The New York attitude comes from the inhabitants; Italians, Jews, Puerto Ricans, and blacks. He goes through each group and how they contributed. You think New York is rude, but it's really not he explains.

New York is backwards. What's rude in New York is actually nice. New York is always in a hurry, so if you ask a lot of questions and make small talk, you slow thing down. By being short and to the point you do people a favor.

This is a show you could only do about New York. Few cities are so universal with such a distinct culture.While I've been to New York, I only know the stereotype. While of course that plays into this, to a large degree he's making fun of human nature.
This isn't a show where you need to be from New York to appreciate it. It's New York specific, but not New York exclusive. Quinn aims for a broad audience.

He reveals the secrets of "mugger money." People were getting mugged for cash, so they stopped carrying money. To prevent assault, Quinn says, you may not have your wallet, but even the mugger knows about your "mugger money."


Few comedy routines have such a specific subject, most of them bounce around to different subjects. While Quinn does bounce around, it's all tied to New York which makes this unified. Of course he talks about the subway and how that contributes to the bad attitude of the city, but you have to have a bad attitude to make it in the city he says.