Tom Papa is the quintessential New York City comedian. He’s had roles in TV and in movies, but he has never taken long breaks from stand-up comedy. In fact, he’s become something of a mentor to younger comics, often taking on the role of emcee for a festival, host for interview shows, and storyteller on various talk shows.
Papa, who splits his time between New York and Los Angeles, is almost a throwback. Like fellow New York mainstay, John Mulaney, Papa almost always wears a suit and tie on stage. He’s had several specials on Comedy Central and a new Netflix special in 2020 titled “You’re Doing Great.” One of his best recorded performances is the 2011 hour long special simply titled “Tom Papa: Live in New York City.”
Papa’s wardrobe and style are reminiscent of a traditional salesman. He’s not flashy. He’s the steady soul who has seen everything. This fits expertly with his material. Papa focuses on relationships. How do you keep a marriage going over time? Lie! Need something new to talk about? That’s where children come in.
Papa tells some wonderful stories that audiences can find relatable. He jokes about how his communication style with his wife has changed over time. There are no longer questions asked in a polite manner. There’s simply orders and expectations. He speaks about his children as the worst roommates of all time. Their presence unites he and his wife as allies against a common enemy.
He routinely intersperses these comments from his current lifestyle with contrasting images from the past. He talks about how couples communicate when they’re just starting out together. This approach provides a fun contrast of flowery compliments versus cutting through the B.S. later in life.
One highlight is Papa’s great story about attending the opera and discovering a joint in his pocket. He points out the privilege that comes with looking the way he does at the age he is. This is just one of many examples of Papa deftly crafting material that is as funny as it is practical.
Tom Papa is a very prolific entertainer. He has just released his second book, “You’re Doing Great!: And Other Reasons To Stay Alive.” He regularly appears on talk shows and guest stars on podcasts. He also hosts his own podcast, Breaking Bread with Tom Papa, and hosts a daily show titled “What a Joke” on SiriusXM’s Netflix is a Joke satellite radio station. He appears regularly on the NPR game show, Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me.
Papa’s work is always well refined and cerebral. He’s the everyman comic who has seen it all and communicates that well to audiences and other comedians. Find out more about his current and upcoming projects at TomPapa.com.