Podcast Summary: The Comedy Cellar: Live from the Table

Episode: Guardian Angels Founder Curtis Sliwa on Why He's the Best Candidate for Mayor of NYC
Date: October 4, 2025
Host: Comedy Cellar Network (Dan Natterman, Noam Dworman, Periel Ashenbrand)
Guest: Curtis Sliwa

Overview

This dynamic episode brings Curtis Sliwa—founder of the Guardian Angels and perennial NYC mayoral candidate—to the Comedy Cellar table. In classic Cellar style, hosts Dan Natterman, Noam Dworman, and Periel Ashenbrand engage Sliwa in a wide-ranging, candid, and often humorous exploration of New York City’s politics, crime, civic life, and the evolving character of the city. Sliwa, known for his outspoken, off-the-cuff style, discusses his life, Guardian Angels' legacy, mayoral platform, vision for the city, and critiques of his political opponents. The conversation shifts insightfully between NYC nostalgia, genuine policy analysis, personal stories, and zingers reminiscent of the city's legendary late-night banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Curtis Sliwa’s Guardian Angels Legacy

[00:46–05:37]

• Origin Story: Sliwa recounts the Guardian Angels' birth in late 1970s NYC, when crime was rampant and police presence scarce, especially in the subways.
• "Burger Boys" to Guardian Angels: Started with his "closing crew" from McDonald’s, evolving into a subway patrol group.
• Risks and Tragedy: "People ask me why you wear that red beret...in honor of six who were killed in the line of duty."
• Unarmed Strategy: Chose to remain unarmed to avoid escalation.
• Near-Death Experience: Sliwa details being shot five times on orders of John Gotti Jr. "I had no other choice but to dive out of a speeding cab." (05:09)

Critique of NYC’s Political Climate

[07:27–18:15]

• Opponent Analysis: Sliwa explains why he thinks frontrunner Zorhan Mamdani is naive and out of touch with working-class realities. He accuses both Mamdani and former governor Andrew Cuomo of policies (like no-cash bail, raising the age for prosecution, closing Rikers) that fuel crime surges.
• Generational Divide: Sliwa points out that younger voters are drawn to leftist ideas out of economic frustration, not necessarily ideology.
• On Policy vs. Character: The hosts challenge Sliwa about choosing character or policy; Sliwa doubles down on linking both in NYC's case, arguing both leading opponents have failed the city in action and values.

The Mayoral Race, Polls, and the “Spoiler” Question

[19:24–24:00]

• Electoral Odds: Noam reads out poll numbers showing Sliwa trailing, with Cuomo and Mamdani leading.
• Spoiler Accusation: Sliwa pushes back on being cast as a spoiler, arguing that polls are unreliable:

  "You think maybe the polls are not an accurate indication of the people's feelings?... Look at Cuomo’s unfavorables. Everybody loves Curtis." (20:42)

• Would He Drop Out If It Meant Spoiling for Cuomo?

  "You keep thinking that Sliwa supporters are not voting for Cuomo. You know what they'll do if I were to drop out? ...They won't vote." (22:38)

Campaign Fundraising & Strategy

[23:08–24:09]

• Sliwa claims robust fundraising, more than his rivals, and highlights the contrast in campaign styles:

  "I'm more gritty. I'm sort of like, remember The Wire? ...I'm gritty, I'm real; Zorhan is highly produced." (23:55)

Sliwa’s Platform and Vision for NYC

[25:03–56:04]

• Crime/Public Safety: Continues as Sliwa’s signature issue.
• Animal Rights: "The first ever animal protection independent line...No kill shelters, animal abusers go to jail." (25:17)
• Education: Criticizes collapse of civics education and civic engagement among youth:

  "We're spending $42,000 a student...for Department of Education and we're not even teaching our children the basics." (31:15)

• Reviving NYC Nightlife & Business Environment:
  • Bemoans the suppression of classic late-night NYC:

    "If the quality of life improves as public safety improves, there’ll be less resistance to staying open to the break of dawn. I agree with you." (40:27)

  • Critiques community boards for not representing the city's actual residents' wishes regarding nightlife and outdoor dining.
• Small Business Hardships: Blames overregulation, rising costs, and crime:

  "Everything has gone in this direction of really only for the very wealthy." (53:00)

  • Calls to reduce bureaucracy, restore direct relationships between city hall and small businesses, and refocus city services:

    "You can't buy me, you can't lease, you can't [influence me]." (51:16)

• Congestion Pricing: Opposes it, citing increased empty storefronts and business hardship:

  "Kill it. Congestion...It's another tax. They're picking your pockets. It's what government does." (50:02)

NYC Nostalgia, Jewish Identity, and Policy

[32:25–38:21]

• Historical Context: Sliwa references legendary mayoral races, the impact of non-local issues like Israel/Gaza in city politics, and memories from Queens, Manhattan, and Brooklyn.
• Jewish Voting Patterns:

  "For the first time in two years...most NY residents are more sympathetic to the Palestinian cause than the Israeli cause. How did that happen?" (34:35)

• Mamdani’s Candidacy: Sliwa repeatedly warns the Jewish community about Mamdani’s record and the dangers he perceives in his positions.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Curtis Sliwa on His Survival:

  "I was shot five times with hollow point bullets...I had no other choice but to dive out of a speeding cab." (05:09)

• On Voter Engagement:

  "In the 60s when I was growing up...80% of registered voters voted for mayor...The last time when I ran against Eric Adams? 24%." (27:36)

• On Community Boards:

  "These old biddies, people who have nothing better to do...try to suppress and snuff out any signs of people out having a good time." (41:01)

• On NYC Billionaires:

  "You act so arrogant, so omnipotent, as if only you and you alone guys know...but you know nothing about the streets." (53:08)

• On Education Solutions:

  "Make use of the public schools for the whole community...that’s how you get the community more involved in vocational training." (45:22)

• Classic Comedy Cellar Needle:
  • Noam: "You're a treasure. I am very impressed by you. How old are you?"
    Sliwa: "71."
    Noam: "Your mind is quick as hell."
    Dan: "71 is not quite old enough to say your mind is [quick]." (24:22)

Light-hearted Banter and NYC Lore

• Comedy Cellar regulars reminisce about Studio 54, Chinese restaurants ("What the hell is chop suey?"), and run-ins with NYC mobsters.
• Sliwa claims he'd impale an eye with a hot poker if Mamdani or Cuomo wins:

  "If I don't win...and I intend on winning...if Johann Mandami wins, I will take a hot poker, and because he is further left, I will impale my left eye and be like the Hunchback of Notre Dame." (61:38)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Topic | Timestamp | |----------------------------------------------------|--------------------| | Guardian Angels origin, violence, legacy | 00:46–05:37 | | Critique of Mamdani, generational politics | 07:27–12:48 | | Cuomo & Mamdani similarities, crime policy | 16:34–18:15 | | Polls & “spoiler” accusation | 19:24–24:00 | | Campaign fundraising, strategy differences | 23:08–24:09 | | Sliwa’s animal protection, education, civic decline| 25:03–32:05 | | Jewish issues, Israel/Gaza, city politics | 32:05–38:21 | | Reviving nightlife, business hardship | 38:30–43:15 | | Education/after-school, community use | 44:06–47:46 | | Congestion pricing, government overreach | 50:02–51:22 | | Small business regulation, cost of living | 51:39–54:44 | | Personal stories: mobsters, tartufo, pong | 57:02–59:05 | | Promise to impale eye if Mamdani wins | 61:38 |

Conclusion

This energized, authentic episode offers insightful reflections on NYC’s transformation, political battles, and the soul of the city through the lens of Curtis Sliwa’s candidacy. Sliwa makes his case as the only “gritty, real, blue-collar” candidate, relentlessly critiquing both progressive and establishment politicians while advocating a return to public safety, civic engagement, and the old NYC spirit. Between policy debate and the Cellar’s hallmark wisecracks, listeners get a thorough sense of both Curtis Sliwa’s platform and the broader political mood of 2025 New York.

For listeners: The episode navigates NYC’s past and future with both seriousness and sarcasm—a must-hear for those who care about the city, politics, or just enjoy a classic New York table brawl among comedy’s sharpest minds.