At the time, I said of Greg's turn at the podium during the Comedy Central Roast of Joan Rivers ...
First off, Greg Giraldo killed. KILLED. I gotta think he brought "A" material because he knew promos were running for his Comedy Central special airing this weekend were playing during the breaks. I have a clip after the jump of the beginning of his set, but it cuts off right before he directs his focus to the guest of honor.
When he did, he was really really harsh when he started, I was really taken aback, but then he managed to pull it back and get me back on his side before he closed. Joan was brave. Melissa? Braver. Smiles all around, but I was sitting in front of my TV slackjawed. Still, he said some nice things at the end about how amazing it is that she's still relevant at 76.
My favorite Giraldo line was, "Gilbert (Gottfried), you look like you smell like pee."
I've reposted that clip after the jump.
You've no doubt already heard that Greg died today after overdosing on prescription pain meds over the weekend while on the road. He was 44.
From the Comedy Central website:
The Comedy Central family mourns the loss of a true friend of the network as Greg Giraldo passed away on Wednesday. Greg was our go-to comedian for a reason: he was always game, always generous, and always brilliantly funny.
Greg began his career as a lawyer, graduating from Columbia University and Harvard Law School, but his true calling and gift was for comedy. His stand-up was intelligent, yet accessible, incisive, tough and inimitably honest. A seasoned vet on the stage, Greg could bring a room full of disengaged hipsters to belly laughs within seconds of grabbing the mic. He ripped into politics, his personal life and pop culture with a uniquely blunt delivery that was both exciting and startling.
In addition to his numerous Comedy Central specials, tours, records and appearances on programming like "Root of All Evil," "Friday Night Stand-Up" and "Tough Crowd," Greg created and starred in sitcom pilots for NBC and CBS, and was given the opportunity to develop and star in his own ABC sitcom, "Common Law." He was most recently seen as a judge on NBC's "Last Comic Standing" and Comedy Central’s Roast of David Hasselhoff.
Greg Giraldo was born and raised in Queens, New York, and was the father to three sons. Our hearts go out to his friends, family and everyone who ever had the pleasure of knowing, working or laughing with him. Greg, we’ll miss you.
Click over there to leave a note or at Greg's Facebook fan page at this link.
Clip after the jump.
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