Friday, April 11, 2008

Joe Rogan's Comedy: Not For The Faint



I noticed in one of the local weeklies when I was in Philadelphia that Joe Rogan was going to be appearing at Helium, a club within walking distance of my hotel. I found out that although it was sold out, there would be a wait list. Fortunately, all stars lined up and I was able to attend his show.

Rogan has been one of the edgiest and most provocative comics working for a long time, but he is mostly defined in the eyes of the public as the host of Fear Factor or the handyman on the series Talk Radio. He even makes light of this role and identity on his latest album Shiny Happy Jihad. talking about how folks come up to him as though it is his responsibility for the stunts on Fear Factor.

What makes him interesting and relevant is that beyond the comedic bits and the slam dunks in the art of offensive humor is that Rogan observes and probes fundamental elements of the human condition. "We're on a f--ing rock flying through space." He asks do we look up into the sky and consider what's going on? Why instead do we get obsessed with attractions like the Grand Canyon (a f---in ditch?) Or there is his observation that "No girl wants a secretly gay boyfriend. Every dude wants a secretly gay girlfriend." Also, he comes back to the refrain that we are all pretty much the same, despite our genetics and experience. He doesn't suffer fools well at all and if his targets (people who save beached whales, Al Queda, terrorists, and guys who would want to to go the March of the Penguins movie) come in range with some of yours, laughter will indeed result.

The showroom in Helium is pretty basic. It could fit a a small bowling alley and fits approximately 300 people. The show I saw was the last in his three night stand. He obviously enjoys playing in Philadelphia. "It's better than Boston. Boston is like a colder, dumber Philly." His set went on for nearly 90 minutes, partly because the drunkest bachelor party ever had to be tossed out, but only after Rogan gave them several chances to stay until it was obvious that the situation was hopeless.

Part of Rogan's arsenal is that he uses the mike and sound effects like a true pro, especially when he his reenacting tigers, bears and others in the animal kingdom. He uses dynamics well. He rants, but builds up to a crescendo like with his his bug-eyed and frantic pronouncement that pyramids were built by people a were a whole lot smarter than ourselves, "but the dumb ones just out-f---ed the smart ones. That's what I think. I think we are all the bastard children of the idiot stoneworkers of Egypt." You laugh, but it is more than a joke, it is a skewed logic that makes sense in some bizarre and recognizable way.
posted by well-executed buffet at 7:50 PM
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