Last year, I heard that Orny Adams was coming to Chicago. Actually, he told me--I emailed him about the DVD I'd seen him in and asked him if he was ever coming to Chicago, and he told me he was. (I'm always surprised when well-known people respond to my emails. Not every one has, but some have, which still surprises me.)

Well, he came and went, and the night was sort of disappointing. Not because he wasn't good, but because he wasn't the only comedian there. Originally, I think he was supposed to be the only headliner, but when I went to the club's website, I saw that he wasn't going to be alone.

I felt like I was just getting into his routine when he had to stop to make room for the other headliner, who was great. But what's weird is that between the professionals' sets, they brought a novice on stage, and he was nowhere near their level. Plus, afterwards, even though Orny said he wanted people to say hi to him in the lobby, I didn't really get a chance to say much to him because he was drained, it seemed, and it's not like I'm famous or anything, or even an acquaintance, so it's not like I have "permission" to chat.

I would've liked to hear at least an hour of his comedy, and what I ended up hearing was maybe half an hour. But at least I got exposed to another good comedian. I just wish I could have heard more from each guy.

Update: he said he's coming to Chicago in 2007. Let's hope we're all still around by then.


comrade_tovarich said...

I've never been much on seeing comedians, probably because I simply know very few. However, I have gotten a few laughs from Steven Wright (I think that's his name). Though his name gets bandied about quite a bit, Lenny Bruce is one comic I've never heard; I have the feeling I probably won't find him all that funny, but I am curious to give him a listen.

Perhaps as a sign of what a crusty young geezer I am, my humor runs more in the line of silent films (like Harold Lloyd) and Tex Avery. However, I've gotten some good laughs out of countercultural stuff at times, including the "Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers," but that says more about how I wasted part of my college life than anything else.

mj said...

I've never heard of the "Fabulous Furry Freak Bros," though I think I might be around your age. At this point, I find silent comedy films sort of annoying, and the same with vaudeville.