No Apologies Needed When Comedian Gilbert Gottfried Does Stand-Up To Help Daughter's School
Updated: 01/07/2013 12:01 AM
By: Stephanie Simon
Brooklyn-born comedian Gilbert Gottfried is known worldwide for his trademark voice and squint, but now his upcoming benefit show is dealing with a matter much closer to home. NY1's Arts reporter Stephanie Simon filed the following report.
The state of our education system is no laughing matter, unless you're comedian Gilbert Gottfried. He is doing a special benefit concert at Gotham Comedy Club in February to raise money for his daughter's school, P.S. 11 in Chelsea
"It's different because this one might be funny. That's what separates this show from every other show I've done before," Gottfried jokes.
Gottfried and his wife Dara have organized "Comedy For A Cause" as a PTA fundrasier to help make up for what the PTA says is the school's $300,000 shortfall and raise awareness about schools facing budget cuts.
"I know everyone out there right now is saying, 'If it's Gilbert Gottfried, we're not seeing him,'" Gottfried says.
Don't worry. To make it really funny, Gottfried invited Susie Essman, Ray Ellin, Judy Gold, Artie Lange, Dave Attell and W. Kamau Bell to join him.
Just in case Gottfried gets a better gig for that night, he prepped me to stand in.
Gottfried made headlines in 2011 when the insurance company AFLAC fired him from being the voice of their duck, after he made jokes about the tsunami in Japan.
"Now I apologize after every single joke because that's what comedy is these days. Say a joke and then say you're sorry for it and that you didn't mean it," Gottfried says.
He still does a lot of voice-over work, including Digit on PBS' "Cyberchase," and highly recommends people watch NY1.
"You see, you have to watch NY1 because if you don't, the sequel 'NY2' makes no sense at all," he says.
As for the concert, tickets start at $125. And while it's for the kids, don't bring them.
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