Jokes are supposed to make you roll in out of control laughter. However, this is not always the case. I went to the weekly comedy show in the Cat’s Den at the UK Student Center. The show opened with an introducer who attempted to whoo the crowd with some jokes, but he ended up getting so nervous he forgot what he was going to say. The reason I know he completely forgot his material is because he flat out told us. When this happens to a professional comedian knows to come up with some snappy joke just to keep the crowd entertained until they can remember the proper material. After he stood on the stage for an awkward minute or two in silence, he eventually decided to introduce the next comedian.
Next up was Kevin Parcheck, a student from Eastern Kentucky University. His material was almost as bad as the first guy up. He couldn’t get off the subject of straight men appearing gay, and what to do to ensure you don’t get hit on. Specifically, he talked about proper bathroom edicat when another man is in there and how to properly dance in night clubs. When he was on stage I couldn’t bring myself to laugh at his jokes because they were so offensive. There is a point in comedy where the jokes can go too far and turn sour. Being there I could even feel like air thicken. The audience felt like they needed to laugh since it was a comedy show, but were unable to laugh with Kevin, only at him.
The actual professional comedian the University brought in was Jay Scott Homean from Alabama. He has appeared on Comedy Central and has opened for some headline comedians. He said some funny jokes, but it seemed he was very unprepared. He would go from one topic to another without ever connecting to two together. My favorite joke was as follows, “I hate to go to fancy restaurants, I like themed places. That way when your on your date you can look around and see interesting things to look at and talk about.”
Comedy is great for the soul when it’s good and makes you laugh. However, when it is bad and offensive, it is a chore to have to endure. Although I can’t imagine anyone wanting to go see the show after reading this, but just in case the next one is on Wednesday, November 12 at eight. It just happens to be their 150th show, which proves it must normally be entertaining. Obviously it was not my lucky night for comedy.
December 4, 2008 at 5:05 pm
I’ve been to a few of these and yes sometimes they aren’t all too great but occasionally you’ll get one that’s funny. I was actually at that same one and feel the exact same way you did. Those first two guys weren’t too great at all. Personally, i thought the third man was funny, but you’re right he sounded unprepared. He even asked us what we wanted him to make a joke about at one point. You don’t hear that much i would imagine.
December 5, 2008 at 5:51 pm
I like how you put your opinoin into the whole paper and it makes me feels like you really thought alot about your paper and you actully cared about your paper. With the comdey thing i see what you are saying about the people on stage but i think that most people when they here jokes they are so wrapped up in thinking to much about jokes. Im not saying they were funny in anyway but i find that most people now care to much about comedy. when someone says a joke about race or religion it’s not to be mean. It is just a joke and its not ment to be offensive at all. i really liked your paper.
December 9, 2008 at 1:51 pm
stand up comedy isn’t as easy as the professionals make it look. sometimes you see some people that can’t handle the stage then it goes from funny to awkward. i was at a performance at the cat’s den where another UK student forgot his set. it happens. luckily the pro comic came on to save the show. sometimes offensive jokes are funny. i’ve heard some hilarious racist jokes. in many aspects of comedy someone is at the but of the jokes. it’s just part of the job. oh well.
December 9, 2008 at 2:08 pm
That really stinks that your experience was so bad! although I’ve never been to a show on campus, I can only imagine how different it would be to see comedy on t.v. and then to experience it from a ‘newcomer.’ I liked how you incorporated your opinion throughout the paper without being too harsh about how awful it was for you. Hope the next time is better!
December 9, 2008 at 2:53 pm
That does suck that you had a bad experience, although i think thats one thing that i dont think i have a good sense of humor with. I always laugh at retarded stuff and as i listen to comedians I never laugh. Hope your experience is alot better than next time.
December 10, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Wow it does sound like you had a bad experience and I wish you could have had a better time. However, with that being said, you need to have a more open mind when you go a comedy event like this. You need to throw your beliefs and such out the window and just have a good time. I have heard some jokes that normally would be offensive to me according to my beliefs along with my political ones but I laughed anyways because it was funny and sometimes you have to know when to take something serious and when to laugh in a situation like this. The comediann actually may share the same beliefs as you but he is just poking fun at it for funs sake.
And as for the professional appearing to be very unorganized, I have seen him appear on Comedy Central and thats how he operates. And jokes/topics don’t always have to connect as well. If you look at many comedians you will notice the very same thing.
December 10, 2008 at 5:17 pm
I haven’t been to the CatsDen but I always see signs around campus advertising the shows. Im not really the type of person that likes to sit down and watch a comedian. Alot of times the jokes are trashy–and like you said–offensive. Also, many times comedians make jokes towards God and other religions or about different races which is really rude and uncalled for. I feel like there are plenty of other ways to be “funny” than to bash other people. Sucks that your experience was bad but maybe if you give the Cats Den a second shot it will be better!
December 11, 2008 at 1:40 pm
That really stinks. When you see professional comedians on tv, you start to think that that is the standard for every comedian. But as you quickly found out, thats not exactly the way it is everywhere. There are some comedians that just flat out dont know what they are doing. Sounds like these guys needed a little bit more practice in the mirror first.
December 12, 2008 at 7:07 am
I’m sorry that you didn’t enjoy the show. I’ve never been to a stand up comedy show so I don’t know what it’s usually like. But hopefully, if you go next time, it will be amazing!
December 12, 2008 at 1:06 pm
I have never been to one of UK’s comedy shows, but I hope to catch one sooner or later. Hopefully when I go, it will be funny. My opinion is they should get Dane Cook!
December 15, 2008 at 12:30 pm
Well thats a bummer! I agree with you when you said it’s good for the soul to have a good laugh every now and then. At least you got to experience and hopefully the next one you go to will be extremely funny. And I agree with Brittany I think they should get Dane Cook to come.
December 17, 2008 at 9:10 pm
In the beginning of the semester i would go to those comedy nights every Wednesday. There were some off nights i have to admit, they weren’t always funny, I think it would probably be pretty hard though to stand up in front of a group of people and try to do comedy. I have always been a big fan of stand up, and would probably try to go again.
December 17, 2008 at 10:40 pm
That sounds awful. It is miserable to have to endure someone’s mean sprirted jokes. Maybe this guy has a few insecurities about his sexuality… Comedy is definitley best when it is lighthearted and fun! i don’t know if I would want to attend a show now.:(
December 17, 2008 at 10:49 pm
I truly love comedy and making people laugh. I get so much joy when i make someone laugh. But you’re right about the sourness feeling and how it’s a chore to endure someone’s bad jokes. When a joke is offensive it gets really awkward. I haven’t been to any comedy acts in the student center yet but i really want to go. My roommate went to one and he absolutely loved it. I guess it was your unlucky night that night.