Schimmel, who preaches a no-holds-barred brand of comedy reminiscent of Lenny Bruce, George Carlin or a dirty old grandfather on Viagra, spoke about giving his 23-year-old daughter advice on sex to having sex with his pregnant wife.
"I thought I would lose a younger crowd because of talking about being married and problems with marriage," Schimmel said.
"But since I have a daughter that's their age, then they just wonder if that's what their parents are like. Am I a side of their parents that they don't get to see?"
At age 51, Schimmel has seen his share of misfortunes but keeps a positive attitude by laughter.
He suffered a heart attack in 1998, and in June of 2000 Schimmel was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a deadly type of cancer. Schimmel began painful chemotherapy treatment.
When his doctor asked if he would object to smoking marijuana to ease the pain of radiation, Schimmel said he was quick to quip.
"I said 'I've been waiting my whole life for someone to say that to me,' " Schimmel said.
Schimmel has been free of cancer since earlier this year and began touring again.
However, he has to go for checkups every eight weeks.
Born in the Bronx to parents who survived Auschwitz, Schimmel began his comedy career more than 20 years ago after working as a stereo equipment salesman. He slowly built his reputation, culminating with the "Stand-Up Comic of the Year" award at the 13th annual American Comedy Awards in 1999.
For many in the audience, Schimmel's description of using sex toys with his wife (especially vibrators in the shape of a Chap Stick container) or role playing in the bedroom (imagine Schimmel as a window washer watching his wife undress) was too much to handle and many left.
However, for a comedian who says what's on his mind, he doesn't let offended people stop his act.
"People describe me as an X-rated Steven Wright, but I don't see it," Schimmel said.
When off the stage, Schimmel shows a more gentle side, but remains edgy in his frank words.
When his daughter, Jessica, called him around Valentine's Day to ask him when it was right to "go all the way," Schimmel didn't let an uncomfortable situation cloud his words.
"I told her, 'Whatever you do, I don't think you'll really regret it because you could save yourself until you're married and your husband could wind up being an asshole,' " Schimmel said. "I would rather do it than wonder for the rest of my life."
And for Schimmel, being able to be there for his daughter and being alive is enough to keep him going, telling people about his life and shocking people with his words.
"Live every day to the fullest," Schimmel said.
