A veteran comedian has controversially labeled Rochester, New York, as “comedy hell” in newly released documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case. The comedian, Bobby Slayton, frequently communicated with Epstein, as revealed through over 2,000 documents made public by the U.S. Department of Justice. These documents include messages in which Slayton expresses his dissatisfaction with Rochester while expressing a desire to dine with Epstein and filmmaker Woody Allen.
In a message dated September 2014, Slayton wrote, “Wish I was in NYC having dinner w/ you & Woody. In Rochester in the depths of Comedy Hell. Send Woodman my best.” While he did not clarify what made Rochester so undesirable, this comment has drawn attention to his relationship with the city.
Despite the negative remark, Slayton has previously spoken fondly of some aspects of Rochester. In a 2013 interview with the Democrat & Chronicle, he mentioned looking forward to visiting local radio host Brother Wease, dining at Mamasan’s, and shopping at Wegmans. “I wake up in the morning and do Brother Wease’s show, which I always have so much fun on,” Slayton stated. He went on to describe his tendency to overindulge in food during his stays, joking about how it felt like an invasion of his weekend when he had to work.
Slayton and Epstein exchanged messages that spanned several years, discussing Slayton’s career and plans with other comedians. One message from January 2014 inquired, “Is Chris Rock up for a bobby jeffrey lunch?” It remains unclear if Rock attended the gathering, as subsequent messages indicated he had a “commitment with his daughter.”
In discussing his interactions with Epstein, Slayton noted that he met the financier through Ghislaine Maxwell, who invited him to a private party intended to include high-profile guests such as former President Bill Clinton and Woody Allen. Although the event did not materialize, the two became friendly after meeting again in Florida. Slayton described Epstein as someone who enjoyed comedy and frequently asked him about stand-up routines.
This association has not come without controversy. Fellow comedian Lewis Black recounted being invited to Epstein’s home for dinner alongside Slayton, Allen, and others. Reflecting on the atmosphere, Black remarked, “There were young girls flitting about, but I didn’t know… how old or young they were.”
Slayton, who has not been accused of any wrongdoing, has not publicly commented on the implications of these new documents. At 70, he is known for his appearances on various platforms, including “The Adam Corolla Show,” “Get Shorty,” and “Family Guy.” His stand-up special, “Born to be Bobby,” aired on Showtime in 2010.
Rochester has not been the only Upstate New York city to face criticism from comedians. Recently, Kam Patterson, a new cast member of “Saturday Night Live,” expressed disdain for the area during a live podcast. His comments prompted host Tony Hinchcliffe to endorse Patterson’s sentiments, highlighting a broader view of Upstate New York in the comedy community.
The documents surrounding Epstein’s activities reveal connections to numerous influential individuals and continue to incite discussions about the nature of those relationships. Epstein, who was charged with federal sex trafficking offenses, died by suicide in a New York jail cell in 2019. His case has raised serious questions about the conduct of various high-profile personalities linked to him.
