Former Saturday Night Live comedian Jim Breuer unleashed a slew of jokes focusing on drugs, sex and the boogeyman at a sold-out show Wednesday night on the Mainstage at the Center for the Arts.
Breuer, a self-described "walking 'don't do drugs' poster," appeared as part of the Student Association's third annual Comedy Series, following Jimmy Fallon this past spring, and Dave Chappelle a year and a half ago.
Breuer's show was straight stand-up comedy designed for students seeking an hour of hilarity, as opposed to the humorous lecture of social commentary offered by Breuer's fellow ex-SNL cast member, Ana Gasteyer, last Saturday. Although, according to SA President Chris Oliver, Breuer was contracted for an hour's show, the positive crowd response led him to stay for an extra 50 minutes.
Kicking off the evening was comedian Paul Bond, whose 45-minute set started with a series of jokes concerning the less intelligent people he has met.
"I want to talk about retards for a while here. I'm not talking about the mentally challenged, they can't help it. I'm talking about the retards who walk around thinking they're normal," said Bond.
After cracking jokes about the fast food industry, Bond began a sing-a-long routine, making fun of catchy pop songs "Semi-Charmed Life," by Third Eye Blind, and Hanson's "MMMBop."
He then dubbed Anne Heche worthy of public scorn for her "sexual indecisiveness," and sang "Hates Vagina," a spoof of Train's "Meet Virginia". This was before Bond sang his final number, detailing the sexual specifics of "tea-bagging".
After Bond closed out his act, Breuer took the stage. Welcomed by uproarious applause, Breuer's entrance was accompanied by his own rock band, which featured Bond on guitar.
Breuer's first words were inspired by Brian, his popular character from the film "Half Baked:" "Damn that spotlight is bright!" he said. "It's a good thing I'm not high right now."
Breuer fulfilled a request to "do the Goat Boy" rather quickly. Goat Boy was Breuer's popular character from Saturday Night Live, which randomly bleated mid-sentence during interviews on his fictitious television show. The comedian told the story of how the character came into being; one day he visited the goat exhibit at a zoo while high. Copycat bleats came frequently from the enthusiastic audience.
He also provided details about his experience as a cast member on Saturday Night Live. After he joined the show, Breuer was initially nervous about providing the wrong answers to questions at his first press conference. But it was fellow SNL cast member Norm MacDonald's sense of humor that acclimated him. As Breuer indicated, when MacDonald was asked a question about what kind of practical jokes would appear on the show, he had said,
"We're just going to show them our c---s."
His Rolodex of impressions included fellow SNL cast members David Spade and MacDonald, as well as an array of celebrities, such as Ray Romano, Sylvester Stallone, Ozzy Osbourne and Sting, who he referred to as "an alien".
While imitating Metallica lead singer James Hetfield's throaty vocals and audience incitements, Breuer shouted,
"Are you happy-ya?! Are you?! Yeah?!"
"Yeah!" shouted the audience.
"Ooh!"
Breuer described several celebrity encounters he had while working in the entertainment industry. But Breuer indicated it was his chance meeting with Jack Nicholson that hit close to heart.
"I often forget that I look high all of the time," Breuer said in the middle of his story. He was in an elevator with Nicholson, who was apparently on his way back from a night on the town.
"Just when I thought I had lost my chance to talk to him, (Nicholson) said to me 'You know, you look how I feel, right now.'"
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
