Spring Break
Comedian Offers Unique Experience
Vanessa Joy and Stephen Ortiz
Issue date: 8/31/07 Section: Focus
There he stood, in front of a packed house at the Student Union Theater. His presence was unmistakably funny. What's his name, one may wonder? Why, it's none other than Warren B. Hall, comedian and actor. He has traveled throughout the United States, performing at various clubs and universities, as well as around the world performing for troops in Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan, Japan, and Korea. He also appeared in the morning radio show, "The Bob and Tom Show," and wrote a book of poetic thoughts entitled "Pieces of Me."
But who is Warren Hall? Being as traveled as he is, there certainly must be unique qualities that make up the mind behind the comedian. In a pre-show interview, he revealed just a bit of what these questions beg.
When asked what was the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to him while performing, or the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to an audience member, he responded, "I was doing a joke about the commercial, 'Why ask Why,' and I was supposed to make it look like I was humping a stool when the stool tipped over. So, I fell on the ground and didn't know if they were gonna know I was messing up, so I purposely just humped the stool on the ground. That was pretty embarrassing."
His work overseas also made for unique moments.
"Being heckled by al Qaeda is pretty unique in itself," he said. "They were bombing the building across the street while I was on stage and overseas, they watch your show with a gun in their hand. So you know how you look at somethin' but you're not thinkin' about what you're looking at? They're lookin' at me, holding their gun and I'm on stage saying 'calm down, calm down.' Then, boom! It hits one more time and everybody runs out of the room. I'm like, 'I'll be here all week!' So that was new."
Warren was well-recieved by the crowd. His style was friendly and he combined interactions with the audience with jokes about a variety of topics including racism, lesbians, the KKK, wrestling, billboards, relationships, two-year-olds, and cleavage. The most unique, and probably the best part of the show, was when Warren took a phone from a guy's hand, who was sitting in the front row. Apparently, someone had called the guy in the front row during the show and Warren thought it would be a good idea to call the guy back. It turned into a very funny phone conversation that the entire audience was able to hear. If the rest of the comedy season at UConn is as well-received as last night, then the student body is in store for some terrifically funny comedy.
For those students who were unable to attend last night's performance, do not worry, there are many more exciting comedians coming to the Student Union and Jorgensen. Expect to see Kathy Griffin, Jen Kober, DC Benny and Demetri Martin, just to name a few. These comedians represent a wide variety of styles, so there is likely to be something that everyone can enjoy.
"[Most of the comedy shows are] free and in the SU," said Miguel Almodovar, a SUBOG representative, and the person in charge of locating the comedians, wants to make sure you know that. "You can go to the SU Marketplace and bring in your dinner if you want. Any way you look at it, it's a great deal. Anyone that likes to laugh has no reason not to come."
But who is Warren Hall? Being as traveled as he is, there certainly must be unique qualities that make up the mind behind the comedian. In a pre-show interview, he revealed just a bit of what these questions beg.
When asked what was the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to him while performing, or the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to an audience member, he responded, "I was doing a joke about the commercial, 'Why ask Why,' and I was supposed to make it look like I was humping a stool when the stool tipped over. So, I fell on the ground and didn't know if they were gonna know I was messing up, so I purposely just humped the stool on the ground. That was pretty embarrassing."
His work overseas also made for unique moments.
"Being heckled by al Qaeda is pretty unique in itself," he said. "They were bombing the building across the street while I was on stage and overseas, they watch your show with a gun in their hand. So you know how you look at somethin' but you're not thinkin' about what you're looking at? They're lookin' at me, holding their gun and I'm on stage saying 'calm down, calm down.' Then, boom! It hits one more time and everybody runs out of the room. I'm like, 'I'll be here all week!' So that was new."
Warren was well-recieved by the crowd. His style was friendly and he combined interactions with the audience with jokes about a variety of topics including racism, lesbians, the KKK, wrestling, billboards, relationships, two-year-olds, and cleavage. The most unique, and probably the best part of the show, was when Warren took a phone from a guy's hand, who was sitting in the front row. Apparently, someone had called the guy in the front row during the show and Warren thought it would be a good idea to call the guy back. It turned into a very funny phone conversation that the entire audience was able to hear. If the rest of the comedy season at UConn is as well-received as last night, then the student body is in store for some terrifically funny comedy.
For those students who were unable to attend last night's performance, do not worry, there are many more exciting comedians coming to the Student Union and Jorgensen. Expect to see Kathy Griffin, Jen Kober, DC Benny and Demetri Martin, just to name a few. These comedians represent a wide variety of styles, so there is likely to be something that everyone can enjoy.
"[Most of the comedy shows are] free and in the SU," said Miguel Almodovar, a SUBOG representative, and the person in charge of locating the comedians, wants to make sure you know that. "You can go to the SU Marketplace and bring in your dinner if you want. Any way you look at it, it's a great deal. Anyone that likes to laugh has no reason not to come."
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