Ep 5. Lenny Clarke

Lenny Clarke has been a fixture in the Boston comedy scene for decades and in this episode of Comedy Central Presents, he brings his unique blend of humor to the stage. Clarke's style is brash and irreverent, but never mean-spirited, and he often draws from his own experiences growing up in Massachusetts for material.

Clarke begins his set with some observations about the differences between Boston and New York City, and how Bostonians tend to look down on their neighbors to the south. He also recounts a humorous encounter he had with a member of the Boston Red Sox, and how he nearly lost his cool in the heat of the moment.

Over the course of the episode, Clarke touches on a variety of topics, from the joys of being a grandparent to the absurdity of morning radio talk shows. He even delves into some darker material, discussing his struggles with addiction and the toll it took on his personal and professional life.

Throughout it all, Clarke's delivery is confident and relaxed, and he has a way of making even the most taboo subjects feel accessible and relatable. He frequently interacts with the audience, bouncing jokes off of individuals and riffing on their responses, which adds an element of spontaneity and unpredictability to the performance.

One of the highlights of the episode is Clarke's extended bit about his role as a recurring character on the hit TV show "Rescue Me." He discusses his friendship with co-star Denis Leary, the challenges of memorizing lines, and the experience of being recognized by fans of the show.

The episode ends with Clarke's trademark catchphrase, "I'm Lenny Clarke, and I approve this message," which he delivers with a grin and a nod to the audience. Overall, this episode of Comedy Central Presents showcases Clarke's ability to find humor in an eclectic range of topics and his natural charisma as a performer.