Quotes

[about Jules Podell] He was an absolute tyrant. I did a joke in my act opening night. Fella goes to the doctor. He says, "Doctor, I have a problem. I can't pee anymore." Doctor says, "How old are you?" "Ninety-four." The doctor says, "You've peed enough." Innocuous, cute joke. After the show the maitre'd comes over to me. He says, "Mr. Podell wants to see you." I said, "Oh my God! He's going to offer me a lifetime contract I was such a big hit!" I walked over and he looked up at me and he said, "Nobody pees at the Copacabana! People are eating here! Take that joke out!" I turned around and walked away and that was the last words he ever said to me. It was a little frightening. He was an imposing figure.

[about Gene Baylos] Three or four comics were standing in front of the Stage Deli on 7th Avenue. Across the street they were digging out the foundation of what was going to become The Americana Hotel. Gene Baylos ran over to them after they had dug 40-foot holes. He ran over to the foreman and he yelled, "I told you 43rd Street--not 53rd Street!!!"