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Comedy writer takes a bite out of ‘Donuts’
By John Benson
No one will ever confuse comedian Dan St. Germain with The Rock. However, the comic isn’t interested in following in the footsteps of the muscled actor Dwayne Johnson. (More on that later.)
Instead, St. Germain is fine with working around a bakery. Actually, the comedy writer recently found out he’s being brought back for season two of the new CBS sitcom “Superior Donuts.”
“It’s been a lot of work, but really fun,” said St. Germain, calling from New York City. “It’s pretty awesome to be able to write jokes on the floor next to Jimmy Burrows, who is a legend in this business, and to work alongside Dan O’Shannon, who has written for ‘Bob Newhart,’ ‘Cheers’ and ‘Modern Family.’
“To write jokes for actors Jermaine Fowler, Judd Hirsch and Katey Sagal, it’s pretty cool. I feel really grateful to be a part of it.”
When he’s not writing, which is often, St. Germain is working on his standup comedy. He’s shopping a new special he taped late last year, as well as touring clubs around the Midwest.
St. Germain makes his Northeast Ohio debut with three shows this weekend at Austintown’s Comedy Cellar at Mojo’s Pub-N-Grill.
“I do some politics, but it’s mostly personal stuff,” St. Germain said. “I hear Louis C.K. will take a topic and write on that, but for me, it’s about my personal life. I’m expounding upon that.”
The one show he was involved with that needed expounding was “The Comedy Central Roast of Rob Lowe.” Specifically, how uncomfortable was it to watch Ann Coulter get burned to a crisp?
“I will say this, there were some really funny writers who gave Ann great [material], and she didn’t want to use it,” St. Germain said. “She wanted to do her own thing. There’s a reason why there are professional comedy writers. She had such a chance to come out and really take some hits and stuff and give it back.
“Instead, she kind of played into whatever the idea everybody had of her. Also, let me tell you, there were nastier and darker [things] that didn’t make it.”
Making it in the world of comedy is exactly what St. Germain has been doing over the past few years. In addition to being named on seemingly every list of comedians you need to keep your eye on and his success with “Superior Donuts,” his resume is littered with one impressive credit after another.
One gets the sense that mainstream attention via a breakthrough performance or memorable role is literally 10 minutes away from the funnyman. It turns out St. Germain’s definition of success may surprise you.
“Look, man, I’m very grateful I’m making a fine living writing jokes and doing stuff,” St. Germain said. “The truth is, if you’re making a living doing this, you have a pension and a health plan, you’re around really funny people and get to do what you love, you’ve won.
“I work pretty hard, but look at The Rock’s Instagram. That guy has a miserable life. He’s up at 4:40 a.m. working out for three hours and then he’s on the road and acting. It’s crazy. Would I love at some point to have an awesome special or a great TV show that I created? That would be awesome, but where I’m at now is pretty great.”