FROM THE ARCHIVES: Jackie Mason (2002) interview with Darren Paltrowitz

Jackie Mason is one of the most successful stand-up comedians of all-time, first finding mainstream success in the 1960s via appearances on "The Tonight Show" and "The Ed Sullivan Show." Touring and television success aside, Mason has also written many books and starred in numerous award-winning one-man shows. He has also kept up with comedy trends, publishing podcasts and YouTube videos in recent years.

When I spoke with Jackie Mason in 2002, he was regularly still touring all over the world, then looking to promote an upcoming 3-night stand at Long Island, New York venue Westbury Music Fair. We spoke about that, but also discussed a variety of other topics, including the passing of comedy legend Buddy Hackett, the Catskills, performing for the Queen of England numerous times, then-current events within the U.S. political spectrum, and what he was still hoping to accomplish. Mason at the time had a musical in the works, a regular column for the Observer, and mentioned appearing in "Caddyshack 3," all of which discussed within the conversation. It turned out to be an organic conversation, a lot of Mason's responses relating to things he had found out by asking about me.

Were my interviewer skills as a 21-year-old great? Nope.

But Jackie Mason was indeed patient with me, and it was a pleasure to speak with an entertainer whose work I have enjoyed for decades.