Barry Crimmins, Political Satirist.

“The years Crimmins spent booking such unknowns as Steven Wright, Denis Leary, and Bobcat Goldthwait are recounted in his new memoir, "Never Shake Hands with a War Criminal" (Seven Stories), in which the author boasts that the Ding Ho "proved that Boston was home of some of the best comedic talent -- and some of the worst Chinese food -- in the world."”

— The Boston Globe

“When the 51-year-old Crimmins lets loose on the Bush administration, lambasting one injustice before veering off to the next, you may forget that the foundation of his career has been making people laugh. But then he slips in a wry assessment here and an idealistic hope there, and you remember that no matter how frosty it gets, Crimmins will keep giving us reasons to smile.”

— The Boston Phoenix

“If you're in the half of the country that's against the war in Iraq, I figured this could cheer you up. If you're in the other half, Crimmins said it could wise you up.”

— Cleveland Plain Dealer

“Crimmins is the patron saint of original, creative comedy in Boston and a brooding ideologue. His wit is as sharp as his sense of social justice, which has been known to eclipse a joke or two.”

— Boston Herald

“Like a mixture of Tom Paine and Mark Twain, Crimmins mixes politics and humor with savage results.  -- Michael Blowen,”

— The Boston Globe

“10 MILESTONES IN COMEDY
#6. The Ding Ho hosts Barry Crimmins, DJ Hazard, Steve Sweeney, Lenny Clarke, Jimmy Tingle, Steven Wright, Bobcat Goldthwait, Chance Langton, Don Gavin, Tony V, and dozens of others during the '70s.”

— The Boston Globe

“..Barry Crimmins, who started the comedy program at ``the Ding'' and served as the show's comic of honor. One after another, Crimmins' old friends praised his integrity, his comic gift and his contribution to Boston comedy and to their lives.”

— Boston Herald