Comedian Lewis Black to headline in Goldstein

IF YOU GO

What: Lewis Black ‘Let Them Eat Cake’ tour

When: Tonight, 8 p.m.

Where: Goldstein Auditorium

How much: $7 with SU ID



Those who have watched ‘The Daily Show’ should find him easily recognizable – the iconic ‘Back in Black’ segment, where he catches the stories that ‘fall between the cracks,’ is where comedian Lewis Black lives.

The foulmouthed, perpetually angry Black is coming to Syracuse University tomorrow. He will perform at Goldstein Auditorium, hosted by several student groups, including University Union, Hillel, Panhellenic Council, WooHoo Comedy and Penguins Without Pants.

Tickets for the Grammy-winning comedian sold out within a week.

‘He’s the biggest comedian we’ve brought,’ said Chris Brown, a sophomore advertising major. As the events captain for University Union, Brown has been table-sitting in Schine Student Center for the past three days, handing flyers to interested students.

‘We sold 1,300 to 1,500 tickets within the week,’ he said. ‘Just because it sold out so quickly, it’s exciting.’

Tackling politics and the absurdities of contemporary life, Black’s well-known comedic style seems to stretch the limits of sanity, rage and cardiovascular health. His gravelly voice and exasperated, angry demeanor earned him a Grammy for ‘Best Comedy Album’ in 2006 and the title of ‘Funniest Male Stand-Up Comic’ at the American Comedy Awards in 2001.

‘I heard about (the show) from my friends,’ says Kurt Schnackenberg, a sophomore industrial design major. ‘He’s all over Comedy Central, so every time there’s a big name coming to Syracuse it’s kind of exciting.’

Black’s recent film roles include brief cameos in ‘Accepted’ and ‘Man of the Year.’ He currently hosts ‘The Root of All Evil’ on ‘Comedy Central – essentially an excuse for him to rant about things in popular culture that enrage him.

‘The only thing dumber than a Democrat or a Republican is when those pricks work together,’ wrote Black in ‘Nothing’s Sacred,’ his 2005 autobiography. ‘A Republican will stand up in Congress and say, ‘I’ve got a really bad idea.’ And a Democrat will immediately jump to his feet and declare, ‘And I can make it s******r!”

Ripping into pop culture and politics has earned him fans at colleges across the country, including SU. Nevertheless, there are still some people who aren’t quite ready to grab a seat in the audience.

‘I’ve heard of him, but I don’t know where,’ said Kwaku Boah, a sophomore information science technology major. ‘So I wouldn’t waste my money or time going to the show.’

UU is still confident that Black will impress and entertain audience members.

‘I think he’ll do really well,’ said Justin Kuhn, a junior film major and UU board member. ‘It’s a good sign that he sold out really quickly, and people know him.’

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