Comedians, Republicans, and Democrats — including the sitting governor of New Jersey — walk into a bar ...
Actually, it was a backyard in Westfield.
State Assembly Minority Leader Jon Bramnick, one of the state’s top Republicans, held an outdoor cocktail party at his home to draw attention to the pain the coronavirus pandemic has caused live comedy and other entertainment. Bramnick moonlights as a standup when he’s not pushing legislation.
A bunch of Jersey comics shared drinks on his patio — former “Saturday Night Live” castmember (and almost-gubernatorial candidate) Joe Piscopo, Vinnie Brand, Rich Vos, Mike Marino, Vic DiBitetto, Steve Trevelise, among others. Former governors Richard Codey, a Democrat, and Donald DiFrancesco, a Republican, were also there.
But the opener was current Gov. Phil Murphy, who made a bipartisan appearance.
“The past 14 months have sucked,” the Democratic governor, holding a cocktail, told the small crowd gathered in the backyard. “But it’s been particularly tough on performers.”
Murphy, who is running for re-election this year, has faced relentless criticism from Republicans for his handling of the pandemic. Many say he’s been too strict with restrictions, causing business — like comedy clubs — to suffer, though the governor insists he’s trying to save lives.
Entertainment venues have faced capacity limits for more than a year, though the state is easing them Wednesday. About a third of the state’s small businesses have closed during the pandemic.
But Bramnick, who represents a part of Union County that has a moderate population, said one goal of Tuesday’s event was to show the two parties aren’t immediate enemies.
“I wanted to throw a bipartisan thing that showed people can get together and try to help them through as much as possible,” said the lawmaker, who is running for state Senate this year. “Just because I disagree with you, why can’t we have some laughs?”
Bramnick faced some backlash on social media for having Murphy at the event.
Murphy’s appearance came just hours after he stood firm on keeping New Jersey’s indoor mask mandate in place even as neighboring states adopt new federal guidelines that say fully vaccinated people don’t need to wear masks or social distance anymore in most cases.
Republicans — including Bramnick — have lambasted the governor for the move, arguing he’s ignoring science at a time when the state’s COVID-19 numbers keep improving as vaccinations continue. But Murphy said it’s too soon to drop the mandate, though that may happen in the coming weeks.
Murphy also signed an order Monday eliminating the order that people have to wear masks outdoors in public in New Jersey.
People were maskless at Bramnick’s event, though they were gathered outdoors.
The top joke of the event may have been a passing remark by Piscopo.
At one point, Bramnick mentioned something about Murphy being there.
“I thought he meant Eddie,” the “SNL” alum quipped.
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Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com.