I always find it fascinating that people in an audience think they can heckle a comedian onstage. When that comedian is Lewis Black, the sparks really fly. That was the case during his gig on Valentine’s Day weekend at the Chicago Theater, where Lewis did his act – mostly in CAPITAL LETTERS.
Lewis skewers everything, starting with an audience that thought it would be a good idea to spend part of their Valentine’s Day weekend with him – “Some of you only know me as that nice guy from the Ariba vacation commercials – What a nice man. BOY, are you in for a treat!”
Then there’s George W. Bush – “He was a BLEEPING Bobblehead President, for crissakes! Cheney would just tap him on the head and he’d go BOBBIN’ ALONG!” And don’t forget the fine citizens of the Hypochondriatic States of Americas – “Think they have restless leg syndrome in DARFUR?!!!” he shouts.
He goes on to take on the so-called terrorists who thought it would be a good idea to send someone with a bomb in his pants to blow up an airplane over Detroit – “HAVE YOU BEEN THERE LATELY? Like there’s anything left to bomb in Detroit!”
Everyone is fair game, especially those in the audience who forget that Lewis HAS THE MICROPHONE (as if he really needs it). One heckler tried to take Lewis on when it comes to taxing the rich, which led to a five-minute diatribe all wrapped up with one of his classic rubbery cartoonish blubbering facial wags. Another tried to argue about insurance companies. Bad idea.
But what a fun night. If Lew is in your neck of the woods, spend some quality time listening to him explain why he would run naked in the airport if that’s what it took to reduce the screening time. Just don’t heckle him – you don’t stand a chance. HE HAS THE MICROPHONE … and you don’t.
Lewis Black is on tour with John Bowman, an underappreciated comedian in his own right, mostly on the East Coast through August, with a gig thrown in here and there in Vegas and for some weird reason just outside Detroit in Royal Oak, Michigan – like there are any hecklers left there to bomb!
--Reviewed by Tim Boivin
My brother gave me a CD of Lewis Black's The White Album a few years ago, and I have to admit it took me a while to warm up to him. I didn't really care for it the first time I heard it. After a couple of years I tried again, and the same result.
But somewhere along the way something changed for me and I now find him quite funny. He does yell a lot, and his language is certainly R-rated (if not NC-17). The man does have points to make, however.
I can't imagine what anyone was thinking in trying to heckle him. That's like trying to heckle Don Rickles, which I saw someone do once and the outcome wasn't pretty. Any decent comedian should be able to handle a heckler, but someone who makes his living being bombastic is likely to destroy the heckler completely.
The Darfur line is particularly funny to me. I think We the People need some trauma and troubles in our lives, and if we don't have any we'll make some up. Good for Lewis Black for keeping it in perspective.
Your review convinced me. I need to see him the next time he comes through town.
Posted by: Ken Krause | February 25, 2010 at 03:00 PM