Rockn Randy - The Next Rodney Dangerfield

Rockn Randy's comedy is a combination of a classic style and old -school entertainment. His rapid-fire delivery amuses the audience with his assaults on Marriage, Love, Kids, Old Age and other targets. His resemblance to Rodney Dangerfield in his dress and mannerisms and his barrage of Rodney and Henny Youngman jokes is perfect for any crowd, especially those who remember Ed Sullivan and TV variety shows.

Rock'n Randy Brings Laughs to the Library.
Comedian Randy Novick brings some old-school comedy to Lindenhurst Memorial Library.

By Rick Karas
Head to your local library. Check out a book, surf the Internet, do some research...and, now, enjoy a day of comedy.

Lindenhurst Memorial Library decided to try something new as part of their Live at LML Sunday series when Rock'n Randy recently performed, bringing a bit of old-school, stand-up comedy to the library.

The library generally holds concerts at part of their 'Live' lineup. Opera, jazz and the popular Liverpool Shuffle, a Beatles tribute band, are just some of the events taking place. Now it was time to go the comedy route.

"I just said comedy might be a little different," LML Events Coordinator Sara Fiorenzo said. "I saw him [online], I said [he's a] clean comedian, I want to give it a try."

It's a library crowd, so the humor is definitely PG. That suits Randy Novick, aka Rock'n Randy, just fine. He's been performing stand-up for 20 years, usually doing private shows for organizations throughout the region.

Randy was a bandleader as a teenager, and performed background music for many entertainers. Folks kept telling him he looked and sounded like Rodney Dangerfield. He grabbed a mic, and an act was born.

Randy channels the legendary comedian in his act, right down to the red necktie. The one-liners come fast and furious, about family and everyday life.

"Basically [my act] is a take of Rodney Dangerfield/Henny Youngman. I'm from the old school. I love these old time comedians," Randy said."Their jokes are the best."

Like the one about his wife crashing the car into a tree. "'Hey, I honked the horn,'" Randy recalled her telling him.

Or bringing home a date that looked like his mother. His father couldn't stand her (cue the drum roll).

And the old standby: "My wife wanted to go someplace she'd never seen before. I said, 'Try the kitchen.'"

The lines are tried and true, and get laughs from the audience at the library. It's certainly a different dynamic than one would find at the comedy clubs.

'"People who come to a library usually don't see stand-up comedians, so they find it quite interesting," Randy said. "They find it very exciting, whereas they don't usually see this unless [it's on] television."

To keep things moving, Randy dug into his music background, pulls out his clarinet and added a little jazz to the festivities and that is how he got the nickname.

"It's because of my posture. I stand up. It seems like I rock...the perfect name," he said.

Fiorenzo was waiting on the feedback from the crowd to decide if comedy would become a mainstay at the library, and the early feedback from attendees was positive. They enjoyed getting a laugh at a place you wouldn't expect.

"This is something different," Rhoda Weiss of West Babylon said.

A dose of Dangerfield at the library? I guess it is.

Randy is a multi-talented professional comedian and musician. He came to our home and provided us and all our guests with laughter and entertainment. He made sure we got what we wanted and we greatly appreciated it. -- Chris A, Ridgewood, NJ,

Very pleasant, professional service, 1 hr of comedy, music and fun. Great time for all! -- Karen P, Cape May Court House, NJ,

Rock'n Randy will show you Respect, You'll Laugh, You'll Enjoy, and You'll Remember His Performance.