What do you remember most about Garry Shandling, who passed away March 24?
If you asked me who is on my top-five list of all-time greatest comedians, Garry Shandling makes the cut every time. Which is one of many reasons his death was such an unfortunate loss. I first experienced Garry’s unique style in my early 20s, just getting into my own comedy career, watching him on It’s Garry Shandling’s Show and later on his groundbreaking The Larry Sanders Show. To this day that’s some of the funniest material I’ve ever seen. There was something about the way Garry could deliver a joke; he would walk onstage or on screen and instantly you could tell he was going to be funny. His mannerisms, his expressiveness and especially the cadence in which he spoke. He was brilliant.
That’s why I was so nervous the first night I met him. I was performing on Leno and Jay told me Garry was the lead guest. I have one particularly crass and probably insensitive joke involving a plate for bulimics (I guess you had to be there). I’ll never forget, after my performance, Garry came over, shook my hand, and told me how much he loved it. Throughout the years, we ran into each other many times and I even had the opportunity to be in "The Roast" episode on The Larry Sanders Show. It was always such an honor to know that we were mutual fans of each other. His originality and creativity will be sorely missed and the world, a little less funny without him.
