Despite a Sub-Saharan heat index, the auditorium was nearly packed during the comedy show Tuesday night. Although the setting was sticky and icky, determined students kept it live. Standard pre-show hype music simultaneously increased perspiration and distracted avid bouncers from temperature complaints. Prior to the comics’ performances, local photographer, Morris Winters’ six-year-old son, Marzionne Winters was asked by comedian Steve Brown to come onstage to answer a few questions. His elementary charm, respectful “yes sir” responses and correct spelling of the word Grambling, wooed audience members and brought resounding applause.
Shortly thereafter, he evoked a series of hearty laughs as he said that Charles P. Adams was the current president of GSU.
Grambling’s own, senior Curtis Arrington opened the show. His set was a medley performance – partially recycled, partially unheard. He earned quite a few chuckles with an enviable E-40 impersonation, but was also subjected to stray boos that are synonymous with (some) Grambling audiences.
Of his performance, sophomore political science/pre-law major Brittney Nelson enthusiastically said, “I support Curtis.”
All of the comedians began with references to the nearly unbearable heat, which rendered them all drippy pitted within mere minutes. The heat waves seemed to lull many of their jokes into relaxed paces that didn’t always translate to genuine laughter.
“The Man” handing out empty pockets to collegiate students and other overdone subject matter were nixed for quips about same-sex relationships. The homosexual sector of society was the butt of the night’s jokes (no pun intended).
Comic Karlous delivered a well-received joke about the prevalence of gay cars on campus. He swished and waved his arms like he claimed the windshield wipers moved.
However, many believed that veteran crowd pleaser Steve Brown picked up the slack for other names on the roster. His trademark “Yes He Did” song energized and received much participation from the crowd.
“I loved the host and I thought that (the show) was better than last year,” said senior criminal justice major Edward Lamptey.
“It’s always great to come to Grambling and the students were energetic, despite (the fact that) it felt like we were in my grandma’s church on a Sunday morning,” said Brown.
Where scores of students praised Brown’s performance, reviews of the other comics were mixed.
Comic B Phlat entertained by entering and dancing to the popular “Stanky Leg” jam to get the crowd into her act. Her routine consisted of several remixed songs, including one entitled “Oh I Think He Might Be” designed to find out if a guy is a homosexual or not.
About female comic B Flat, Lamptey said, “Who is B Flat? I fell asleep on her part.tired.I was dozing.”
Sophomore mass communications major Channing Montgomery enjoyed the “simple” show and stressed his appreciation of Brown’s crowd interaction, as well as the ruffled fraternity feathers. He expressed relief that no one made oft done Elijah jokes.
He noticed the recycled material, but coolly stated, “Recycled jokes are Grambling. That’s us.old police officers, no air conditioning. Write that down. No AC. That’s the culture.