John Pinette, the late, great comedian known for his relatable humor and larger-than-life stage presence, had a knack for turning everyday experiences into comedic gold. Among his most beloved routines is his bit on the Chinese buffet, a topic he approached with unmatched enthusiasm and self-deprecating wit. Pinette’s exploration of the all-you-can-eat phenomenon, particularly the allure and the potential pitfalls of the Chinese buffet, resonated with audiences worldwide, cementing his status as a comedic genius. This article delves into Pinette’s comedic take on the Chinese buffet, examining why this particular routine struck such a chord and continues to entertain even today.
The original conversation, a radio interview with Harris, provides a glimpse into Pinette’s comedic mind. It begins with a seemingly unrelated anecdote about a lunch with politician Dick Gephart, quickly pivoting to Pinette’s true passion: food, and more specifically, buffets. The setup is simple: a healthy lunch of veggie burgers leaves Pinette wanting more – much more. This sets the stage for his uproarious commentary on the Chinese buffet, a culinary landscape where healthy eating is decidedly not on the menu.
Alt text: John Pinette delivering a stand-up comedy routine, microphone in hand, showcasing his energetic and expressive style.
“Do you have any Chinese food in here?” Pinette asks Harris, the question acting as a perfect segue into his now-iconic Chinese buffet routine. From this point on, the interview transforms into a masterclass in comedic storytelling, with the Chinese buffet acting as the central theme.
Pinette’s bit immediately establishes his persona as someone who is both in awe of and slightly intimidated by the Chinese buffet. He paints a picture of restaurants barring him entry, humorously exaggerating his reputation as a buffet destroyer. “[with chinese accent] ‘No buffet, buffet not for you. Son of a bitch! You cause trouble, you no come here!’” This comedic personification of the restaurant owner creates an immediate laugh, tapping into stereotypes while simultaneously showcasing Pinette’s ability to mimic accents and embody characters.
The joke continues with the tale of a “Grand Opening! Chinese Buffet!” that mysteriously “closed” upon his arrival. “’No, we closed, no buffet here. We dry clean now. You cause trouble.’” This escalating absurdity highlights the central conflict of his routine: Pinette’s insatiable appetite versus the buffet’s economic model. It’s a battle of wills, played out in a comedic scenario that many can relate to, even if they haven’t been personally banned from a Chinese buffet.
Alt text: Comedian John Pinette gesturing dynamically on stage during a performance, his facial expressions adding to the comedic delivery.
The brilliance of Pinette’s Chinese buffet bit lies in its relatability. He articulates the unspoken thoughts of many buffet-goers, particularly the desire to maximize value. “It is the most economical as far as the buffet goes. You go to a buffet, it’s $8.95. You have a plate of food, a plate of food cost you $8.95.” He then breaks down the buffet economics with comedic precision: “You go twice, a plate of food cost you half that. You’re down to $4.50 now.” This playful mathematical breakdown of buffet value is inherently funny because it exposes the slightly greedy, yet universally understood, desire to “get your money’s worth” at an all-you-can-eat establishment.
His description of the ultimate buffet experience takes us to the legendary Las Vegas buffets. Mentioning the Monte Carlo and Sahara, Pinette elevates the buffet discussion to a new level. He contrasts the disappointing lack of a buffet at the Monte Carlo with the allure of the Sahara’s incredibly cheap breakfast buffet. “$2.49. I could eat more than $2.49 worth of toast.” This line perfectly encapsulates his comedic approach: exaggeration grounded in a relatable truth.
Alt text: A promotional image of John Pinette’s comedy CD “Show Me the Buffet!”, highlighting the title and Pinette’s image.
The pinnacle of Pinette’s buffet enthusiasm is reached when he describes the MGM’s Oz buffet. “Because its the Oz buffet! The Wizard of Oz is my favorite movie and they made it a buffet. You walk up it’s the Emerald City, and it’s a buffet! I ran to it!” His theatrical reenactment, complete with singing lines from The Wizard of Oz but replacing lyrics with buffet items – “Prime ribs and pork chops and scampi, oh my!” – is pure comedic genius. It’s a vivid and hilarious image, showcasing Pinette’s ability to transform a mundane experience into a fantastical adventure.
The conversation then veers into other food-related tangents, including his famous aversion to salad: “Salad! It horrifies me. Salad give me a nervous tick.” This segues into a brilliant bit about dieting and the psychological torment of salad, culminating in the punchline: “I go postal on salad.” While not directly related to the Chinese buffet, this section further reinforces Pinette’s comedic persona as a food lover with strong opinions, adding depth to his overall routine.
Even his crab leg eating habits become a source of humor, describing eating “like an otter” and unnerving management. And the all-you-can-eat shrimp story by the pool takes the concept of buffet enthusiasm to absurd heights, imagining himself jumping like Free Willy to catch shrimp thrown by room service.
The interview circles back to the Chinese buffet theme indirectly when Harris mentions “all you can eat salad and all you can eat shrimp,” highlighting the stark contrast in popularity and reinforcing Pinette’s preference for the more substantial buffet offerings.
The interview cleverly concludes by plugging Pinette’s comedy CD, aptly titled “Show Me the Buffet,” a direct reference to his passionate buffet routine. This title itself is a testament to the enduring appeal of his buffet-related humor, and specifically, his Chinese buffet observations.
John Pinette’s Chinese buffet routine is more than just jokes about food; it’s a commentary on human nature, our desires, and our sometimes-gluttonous tendencies. It’s about the thrill of abundance, the desire for value, and the sheer joy of indulging. Through his masterful storytelling and relatable persona, Pinette transformed the Chinese buffet into a comedic landscape ripe with observational humor, ensuring that his routine remains a timeless classic for anyone who has ever felt the allure of the all-you-can-eat experience. His legacy as a comedic master, especially when discussing the joys and perils of the Chinese buffet, continues to live on, reminding us to find humor in the everyday and to always, “SHOW ME THE BUFFET!”
