Tom Green; Canada’s Funny Man

The Vogue Theater was the playground for the eccentric mind of Tom Green last night. Opening the show was Neil Hamburger, billed as Americas Funny Man; he was awkward and hilarious. The night was a dive into social commentary, specifically about communication and relationships. We were blessed with a few songs, a few raps and tons of side splitting hilarity.

Entering the stage, Mr.Hamburger, hacked and snorted into the mic, setting the tone for his set early. The entire shtick is a bitter, old, drunk, sleazy old time comic. All his jokes consist of loaded dinner conversation questions, the what-would-you-get-if or what-would-happen-if style bits. The drive behind his persona is to bomb, and then the real humor comes out when he works with the hecklers. Never will you see such a quick witted heckler stopper again, he is rock solid.

His jokes are meant to shock you into commenting and attacking him. Such statements last night as – Do we have any blacks in the house – drew a rise from the crowd early on. His material is also very filthy, again to catch you by surprise, such as – What would you get it you stuck a copper penny in the asshole of each one of the five members of Smash Mouth? Well you would get Nickelback. These blunt raw statements, bring in the boo’s hinted with hardy gut roaring laughter. The line to receive the most reaction was – Why did Michael Jackson dangle his infant son over the balcony? Because the lad wouldnt finish his plate of sperm. The entirety of the set had the alcohol fueled mob, screaming with come backs and opinions. This allows Mr.Hamburger to open up his heckler destroying lines and really get the venue rock with laughter.

After a brief interlude, Journey’s mega hit Don’t Stop Believing started bellowing through the air. Tom Green actually entered the auditorium from the rear of the seats, and worked his way through the mass, high fiving and hugging his way to the platform. Once on stage he made the entire night his bitch. Being as this was a rare stand up appearance by the once hyped MTV shock comic, he was on the ball. He had an extremely well thought out and thought provoking set.

The first portion he took time to attack the social media giant Facebook. Making the statement that their should be a law that married people, or people in relationships they give a damn about, should not be allowed on at all. His support of this request was because of the secrecy. He said well if someone old flame of your husband wants to message him and test the waters to see if the marriage is working out, he can just private message him. He related it back to the post-internet era, where that same woman would have to call you home to reach your husband. This would give you the opportunity to tell her to get lost. With an over dramatic presentation of the scenario, he still drove home the message that social media is scary. He was able to really cap off a hard position against the current communication of the world and point out its many flaws.

He then delved into texting, and how it too is sucking the social side of life out the window. Recounting an all too common scenario where the people you are visiting are sitting there texting during mid conversation. Making sure to point out that they are more than likely talking to people they would much rather be with. It pulled the topic over the fact that with too much choice people are always looking for the bigger better deal. No one is satisfied with what they are doing at any moment, and who they are with. With so many branched into other peoples lives they are always trying to be at the top of the social pile and be at the most happening place. His takes were brutally honest and all to obvious in our cell hungry society.

Over the rest of the night he talked about his career, and really poked fun at things he had done. The entire night was honest and open and down to earth. He is by far the best comedian I have ever seen live. Other comedians seem to stick to a script they have written and never lose a beat. You can see them ten times and they only ever have a couple of new jokes. Tom Green takes his spontaneity and mixes it with his set, which makes every show fresh and relevant.

Mr.Green also talked about the output in our society, things like American Idol. It pumps out several winners a year, and you have people like Ellen Degeneres picking who should win. He said bluntly – I bet if you picked up Ellen’s iPod and hit play, literal shit would come out, thick brown shit would run down the side of your face. He took a stand and stated his opinion, and it works because its what everyone is thinking. If you aren’t some tweeny bopper retard, American Idol really doesn’t make any sense.

The final part of the show, well besides when he sang a few songs and rapped to a heavy beat, he got really personal. Breaking into discussion about his battle with testicular cancer. The over view he gave, portrayed the moment when he just found out and he actually went to his car and started begging God to save him. Never before had he though about there being a God, but at that moment he wanted something out there to help him. Tom didn’t get preachy and tell everyone if that changed his future beliefs, but he did say he was grateful to whatever saved him. Since that day his life was different and he follows the Carpe Diem that we all should.

After the show was over, the Ottawa native headed to the merchandise area and signed autographs, shook hands and posed for fan photographs. You will never meet a more down to earth, funny man in your life. I was able to wiggle my way in and get a photo with this comedic genius. I try not to tell people they need to see the acts I love, but this is an exception. Tom Green is a must see, a roller coaster ride of hilarity. After one night out with this man at the wheel you will need a day of rest and an ice pack for your abs.

Tagged as: comedy, neil hamburger, photo, review, Tom Green, Vogue Theater

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