Get ready for a weekend update.
Keystone Grand Ballroom at Mohegan Sun Pocono is set to host a pair of “Saturday Night Live” alumni on Friday, Nov. 29, when Colin Quinn and Tim Meadows perform in the Keystone Grand Ballroom. The night of comedy begins at 8 p.m.
Meadows was part of the NBC sketch show for 10 years and became known for characters such as the Ladies’ Man, which later was adapted into a movie. He also had roles in “Mean Girls” and “Grown Ups 2” and returned to TV for recurring roles on “The Goldbergs,” “Schooled” and “Bob’s Burgers.”
Quinn, who took over the anchor position on the Weekend Update desk on “SNL” following Norm Macdonald’s departure, has had a string of successful one-man shows, including his CNN comedy special “Red State Blue State,” as well as “Unconstitutional” and “The New York Story.” He also performed on Broadway, published a book (“The Coloring Book”) and appeared on HBO’s “Girls” and in the film “Trainwreck.”
During a recent phone interview from New York, the former host of “Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn” said he looks forward to reuniting with his former colleague for the show in Plains Twp.
“I definitely look forward to seeing him,” Quinn said of Meadows. “We were friends back at ‘SNL’ and always kept in touch. Everybody likes Tim. He’s a great guy and a funny guy.”
Quinn will share all-new material, as he doesn’t repeat jokes from his specials, he noted, and will take a look at the ridiculousness found on both sides of modern-day politics as well as in American culture.
“It’ll be a lot of stuff in the news, how policies are,” Quinn said. “In terms of a takeaway, I’d like (the audience) to see that right now, the time we live in, is another brainwashing like any other time — every time — in history.
“Humans, every culture basically, is a form of brainwashing or of people trying to fit in and conform. Even when people act like rebels or whatever they think they are, it’s the old status quo. I hope people can see that.”
And while some comedians shy away from hard-hitting topics or strong opinions, Quinn isn’t afraid to say what he thinks — as long as it gets a laugh.
“That’s the benefit of the job, is finding a funny way to say what you think,” he said. “I want them to laugh.”
He also doesn’t curb his humor to fit new standards of what is considered politically correct.
“It’s for one simple reason. … The people that determined that they’re the watchdogs of this stuff are usually not funny people, so why would I listen to them to be the barometer of what’s passable humor?” he said. “You don’t get to decide that for me. That’s the whole thing.”
But more than a thoughtful look at the state of the country today, Quinn said he looks forward to presenting a night of live comedy that entertains his guests who make the effort to come see him.
“It’s good to see people’s faces,” Quinn said. “It’s amazing when people come out. It gives me hope. From my experience, seeing someone … it’s a real, actual event. That’s what’s positive, is that people still want that.
“And my ego does like applause,” Quinn added with a laugh.
If you go
- What: “Saturday Night Live” alums Colin Quinn and Tim Meadows
- When: Friday, Nov. 29, 8 p.m.
- Where: Keystone Grand Ballroom at Mohegan Sun Pocono, 1280 Highway 315, Plains Twp.
- Details: Tickets start at $25, plus fees, and are available through the box office and ticketmaster.com.
Patrice Wilding is a 13-year employee of the Lifestyles Dept. at The Times-Tribune, where she worked her way up from a clerk to a web video producer to a full-time reporter, writer and copy editor. An Olyphant native, she graduated from Mid Valley Secondary Center and earned a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies with concentration in media arts, political science and communications from Wesley College, Dover, Delaware. She lives in Clarks Summit with her husband, Justin, and their son, Johnny. Contact: pwilding@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5369; @pwildingTT
