Seinfeld heckler, track-exclusive treat, FOMO: Dish Saratoga
All that's worth dishing about this week.
Heckler in our midst
Jerry Seinfeld’s live show was supposed to be a chill night, a way to enjoy an evening at SPAC between the ballet and orchestra for those of us not into big concerts. Still, I was touched by Def Leppard and Bret Michaels’ Ozzy Osbourne tribute Tuesday night and said so as I walked into the big comedy show Thursday evening. I got a big eye roll and was told it had been the “worst crowd” of the summer so far, mostly “impatient and grumpy” complainers. That bummed me out. SPAC, to me, represents idyllic summer nights, and all these aging rock fans need to get a grip.
Speaking of rude attendees, the talk of the night from Jerry turned out to be an old-fashioned heckler — as if a man who’s done professional stand-up for decades can’t handle someone slurring, “Where are your funny jokes, Jerry?” It was a bit of an odd night…the way in, attendees were told that all concessions would close promptly at show time, which most of us hadn’t planned for. Inside the Pines VIP area, you had to be at a table to order food but even an hour out there wasn’t an empty table to be found. The lines outside were long. There was an actual undercurrent of panic as hungry people strategized about how to get something for dinner.
Still, the opening act, a quasi Jerry doppelganger named Ryan Hamilton (support clean comedy by watching his Netflix special), was hilarious. When Jerry came out, he raved about Saratoga (until the heckler, whom he hinted was a small-town Saratogian who didn’t understand AI — but then he rallied with his pro-Saratoga-ness). It was the TV super-star’s first time here, despite living in NYC and having performed at the Palace. So it was kind of cool to hear him talk of his first impressions of Broadway and the track, both of which he seemed to really like.
The first half of his set was pleasant enough, and I was rolling with laughter by the end. He even teased a “big new project” he has coming up, which is kind of fun. In all, I was thrilled we went and am super-pumped for the orchestra, Cynthia Erivo’s cancelling and all. (For those who have asked, while I do wonder if Jon Batiste would have demanded as high a ticket price, I am absolutely not cancelling and very much look forward to seeing him live.)
And to the poor soul having to drag the drunk heckler out mid-show (according to a post on one of the many Saratoga Facebook groups, he smelled like he was “drowned in alcohol” and had skipped the line to get in, already full of rage) — we’re sorry you had to go through that.
Last thing — Ryan, you were great. I’m glad you got your due and got to come out for an extra bow with Jerry at the end. Classy. Alas, if it were me, I would have been out to dinner instead of waiting in the wings for an extra bow. I would never have cut it as a performer.
Bravo.
Late to the party
I’m a huge fan of Shake Shack and make sure that I save room for a big order at least a few times during track season. So why am I so late to the party re: its exclusive-to-Saratoga dessert?
This week, the track’s unofficial hype man, the great Dan DeFedericis of the do-not-miss-a-morning Saratoga-Report, hand-delivered a Sloppy Tracks Shake to me, at home.
OMG.
Ahead of my first official taste, Dan kept telling me the shakes were “very adult” because they’re not “too sweet.” And he’s right.
I immediately detected the trick: It’s not made of ice-cream, but custard.
I fell in love with custard while reporting for years in Middle America because, as Dan said, it’s simply not too sweet. (My coworker coined the term “just creamy enough,” which is how I will always refer to custard.) Throw in some salted caramel and a swirl of cocoa powder, and this is a can’t-miss treat.
Pro tip: they are made ahead of time and frozen, so if (no, when) you grab one, make sure you allow time for it to un-freeze. Once it loosened up, mine was slurped down in seconds, it was that good.
FOMO
Speaking of the track, who’s headed over there today? The Jim Dandy is going to be quite the race, with a small-but-mighty field of five superstars. While my heart this season is with Preakness winner Journalism (I mean, come on) this season, I’d love to see Sovereignty — he of Kentucky Derby and Belmont fame — run. (Alas, I’m out of town and won’t make it today.) Also running: Baeza, Sandman, Mo Plex and Hill Road.
I’ll try to tune in wherever I am today at 5:41 p.m.
Have a great one, everybody!
More Dishy original stories from this week to read with your Second Cup of coffee:
Sperry's nears approval. D'Andrea's site continues on
Saratoga alum to take center stage in two roles at The Met