By Matt Bridgestone
AC Jokes
If you talk to any professional standup comedian, they will tell you that comedy works better at night. There’s something about the feeling of mischief that only comes out once the sun goes down. The later it gets, the rowdier the crowds become.
This was never on display more than when the legendary Don Rickels would have his live late-night shows in Atlantic City and Las Vegas. Rickels would announce 11:30 p.m. start times, but shows wouldn’t start until closer to 1 a.m. This was during the height of the Rat Pack, so the first hour and a half was more about seeing who would show up, grabbing drinks, and generally trying to feel like you were part of the cool crowd. Things wouldn’t really heat up until Frank and Dean showed up. Legend has it that sometimes Rickles wouldn’t hit the stage until 2 a.m., but nobody complained as it was well worth the wait.
The man known as Mr. Warmth would sling insults after insults, but the biggest insult would be if he did not pick on you. People would gladly pay extra for front VIP seats in the hopes of being one of his targets. Classic lines would include saying to a fat man “You have a beautiful wife, but be careful in bed or she will wake up flat,” or saying to a skinny man “You’re an awfully nice guy, but there’s a new thing out now called food.”
Finally, this tradition of late-night comedy is back in Atlantic City. Ac Jokes has begun 11 p.m. shows on Saturdays at Wild Honey in the Tropicana. This is the first time in over 20 years that you can catch a live late-night comedy show so grab your tickets at www.acjokes.com
