Television

Tingle dropped from Sixty Minutes II

by Nick A. Zaino III

Jimmy Tingle, comedic performer and community activist, has been released from 60 Minutes II after two seasons as house humorist. CBS announced this week that actor and former talk-show host Charles Grodin will be the new commentator.

Reached on Tuesday at his Cambridge home, Tingle was obviously disappointed with the decision. "I think some of my pieces, in their eyes, were very, very good, some were good, and some were okay," he said. "And I don't think that's good enough."

"You know, things happen for a reason," he added. "I don't know what the reason is, but . . . "

Tingle said that he enjoyed writing and performing his commentaries, and that he would like the chance to return to TV in some capacity. In the meantime, he won't be sitting around waiting for another network phone call. He has been workshopping his new show, Jimmy Tingle for President, at different clubs and theaters, and will take it to Westbeth Theater in New York City next week before bringing it back to Boston. Tingle was still reading from notes last month when he previewed the show at a house concert, but the material rocked.

Television's loss is the live audience's gain.