It’s a bit that Brian Regan had never done in front of an audience, but it seemed to fit nicely in the conversation he was having with Jerry Seinfeld in an episode of “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.”
At one point in the conversation, Regan mentions how awkward it is to have to tell guests who use the bathroom at his house that they’ll have to jiggle the handle.
“I always wonder what is the highest echelon that’s ever been expressed to,” he says. “Excuse me, Queen Elizabeth, you’re going to have to jiggle the handle.”
It’s a classic observation about an everyday thing that just about everyone can relate to. It’s also hilarious and well defines Regan’s humor.
“That bit is something I’ve had in a notebook and never used,” Regan says in a recent phone interview. “It just flowed in the conversation with Jerry. It is embarrassing to have to tell people that.
“I’ve been in houses where they had laminated cards that told you what to do in this type of event.”
The bit got big laughs from Seinfeld himself, which Regan and the other guests who appear on the webisodes appreciate.
“It’s a strength of his,” Regan says. “Some comedians don’t have it. They get so territorial and aren’t comfortable when others are funnier than they are. It goes all the way back to [Johnny] Carson. Jerry has that quality. Plus, he doesn’t need to prove to anyone he’s funny.”
Regan will perform Friday night, Nov. 20, at the Tivoli Theatre. He says fans will hear about 70 percent new material. He doesn’t like repeating himself and says, in fact, that he’s worked hard to avoid being defined by a particular joke or type of joke.
He doesn’t begrudge comics who’ve scored big with a popular catchphrase or ongoing theme.
“I’ve tried not to become a caricature of myself,” he says. “I don’t want to be defined a certain way. I understand wanting to ride a ride like that, but I don’t want people in the audience already knowing what they are going to hear. I think going in wondering what he is going to say is more fun.”
Regan made his first appearance on “The Late Show With David Letterman” in 1995 and made 26 appearances there over the years. It’s the most by any comedian. He’s also recorded two hour-long TV specials, two CDs and three DVDs.
He also recently made a film as a character in the Chris Rock comedy “Top Five.”
He says despite his many successes, he’s “at this weird place” in his career.
“I’m good, but not good enough,” he says. “Doing that movie was a blast. I was there for one afternoon. Then a year later, there is this premiere, and I’m there and reporters are like, ‘Who are you?’ I’m not making that up.”
He says he’d love to do a television show, but “so far when I go into a network meeting, they’re like ‘Who are you?'”
Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.