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Our Favorite Stories In Comedy: An Interview With Louie Anderson

Published by New Jersey Stage
01/21/2022

New Jersey Stage published its 25,000th story in December 2021. As the site approached the milestone, we posed the question on social media as how we should celebrate.  One response was to highlight our favorite stories from over the years.  We liked this idea, but could not narrow things down to just 25 favorites so we will present a favorite each day from different genres.  Today's choice is a look at comedy with an interview of Louie Anderson from 2017.

The interview was published on June 23, 2017 and is available here. We had this interview on our list for the series, but seeing the news that he passed away today made us run it now. According to his publicist, Anderson died from complications from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He was 68.

In the interview, Andersons tells Danny Coleman that he never intended to be a comedian until some friends gave him the nudge, talks about his comedic influences, and explains how his role in the Eddie Murphy film Coming to America opened doors for him.





 

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Vic

Vic Dibitetto

Saturday, November 14, 2026
@ 8:00pm

Carteret Performing Arts & Events Center
Carteret, NJ

He prowls the stage like a Tiger. He holds no hostages. He says what you are thinking but are afraid to say out loud. Oh…and he’s beyond hysterical! You’ve never seen anything like Vic Dibitetto on stage. See him this Holiday Season when he returns to Carteret!

 

Stage

Stage Adda presents Sonya Vai Live - A Stand-Up Comedy Show

Sunday, November 15, 2026
@ 5:00pm

New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC)
New Brunswick, NJ

Being over 40 and the only single person in your family is hard. Being over 40, single, and Indian? That’s a WhatsApp family chat emergency.

 

Billy

Billy Gardell

Friday, November 20, 2026
@ 8:00pm

Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) - Main Stage
Rahway, NJ

You’ve seen him in your favorite TV shows and movies, now see comedian Billy Gardell live at UCPAC’s historic Main Stage!

 

Matt

Matt McCusker: The Healing Frequency Tour

Friday, November 20, 2026
@ 8:00pm

NJPAC - Prudential Hall
Newark, NJ

Give it up for comedian Matt McCusker, a.k.a. The Shaman! Alongside Shane Gillis, he co-hosts Matt and Shane’s Secret Podcast — the #1 Patreon podcast in the world, consistently dominating Spotify’s Comedy Charts. He’s also a regular guest of Joe Rogan, Theo Von and other top podcasters. Never afraid to speak his mind, McCusker’s philosophical musings on masculinity, wellness, relationships and fatherhood have earned him a mega following. His hilarious comedy specials include A Humble Offering (Netflix) and The Speed of Light (YouTube).

 

#IMOMSOHARD:

#IMOMSOHARD: The Flashback Tour

Saturday, November 21, 2026
@ 8:00pm

Mayo Performing Arts Center
Morristown, NJ

#IMOMSOHARD began as a popular web series by real-life best friends, comedians, and moms Kristin Hensley and Jen Smedley. With a camera, two husbands, a babysitter, and bottomless mimosas, Kristin and Jen decided to speak openly about their fears and failures and to prove that the only way to survive motherhood is through laughter and friendship. Some 1.4 million Facebook fans and more than 300 million views of their web series later, Jen and Kristin’s blend of honesty and humor offer confirmation that moms and women everywhere need to laugh and be heard.

 

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EVENT PREVIEWS

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Music Box at the Borgata presents comedian Patton Oswalt

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Bananas Comedy Club presents Carlos Mencia

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