I immediately interpreted the overly enthusiastic (a kind expression for “drunk”) man who was joyously jumping up and down during the entire pre-show as a positive omen. It was 5:00 p.m. on a Friday evening at the MidFlorida Credit Union Ampitheatre, Tampa’s beloved backyard, and apx. 9,500 people came out to enjoy the Oddball Comedy & Curiosity Festival.
After a successful tour last year, the Oddball Fest is back on the road with some of our nation’s best comedians, such as Louis C.K., Aziz Ansari, Brett Morin, Chris Hardwick, Sarah Silverman and an abundant more. The tour’s kickoff took place in Tampa on Aug. 8 with an impressively low price of $35 a ticket.
My favorite parts about seeing performers who have never been to Tampa before are 1. The impending massive turn out they never see coming (to reiterate: 9,500 people), and 2. Their reaction to the weather. “I like this humidity, it’s just perfect, really,” said comedic musician Reggie Watts with a thumbs up.
But with all raindrops and daunting humidity aside, the crowd didn’t let up on the positive vibes. The misfit performers of the Cut Throat Freak Show performed in the midst of the all pre-show bustle, with one woman giving a painfully memorable act by lifting a bowling bowl by a rope that was sidled through her nose ring. Some saw it as entertainment; I saw an impending trip to the ER.
The actual pre-show took place on the generously sized Second Stage with local and national acts alike. One of the first was Matt Hernandez, an unassuming bearded dude who made a silent approach to the stage followed by a, “Sup, white people?” Ensuing performers included Grant Connor from MTV’s Jerks With Cameras and Maurice Jovan, hosted by Brody and Teina star Brody Stevens.
Host Jeff Ross tossed around one-liners between the diverse set of acts on the main stage including Hannibal Bress, Marc Maron, Brody Stevens and the surreal big-haired Reggie Watts. There was no avoiding the inevitable Tampa jokes, either. “I like this crowd, there’s definitely 10 percent strippers here,” Bress said after duly noting the unfavorable weather and massive wave of thunder that rolled in on the amphitheater. Even stand-up comedian Chris Hardwick mentioned “the weird Scarface scene you call ‘Ybor.’”
Hardwick, host of AMC’s Talking Dead, was only one of the headliners of the night. Aside from the classic “your-versus-you’re” grammar joke (a personal fave), he also discussed his father’s recent death, shedding light humor on a dark situation. He said the best wisdom his father ever gave him was, “I tell you, buddy, any day you can take a s— is a good day.”
Also headlining was Parks and Rec star Aziz Ansari, who inspired a pretty rapturous applause from the audience upon his entrance. The NYU grad dove headlong into topics of gender and feminism, long-term relationships, technology and immigration. While I’m not usually partial to Ansari’s super animated comedy, he ended up being my favorite act of the night. He poked fun, in the most serious manner, at just how creepy and futile it is when men catcall women. Plus 10 cool points, Aziz.
Louis C.K., the big dog of the stand-up comedy scene, immediately opened up with, “I’m very pleased that none of our mothers decided to get abortions so that we could all be here tonight.” Cynical? Yes. A bit too far? Possibly. But in the classic C.K. manner, he turned the most awful situations into something laughable.
While people were a bit disappointed that Tampa had to miss out on Sara Silverman—or any female comedians, for that matter— the crowd still reveled in the inch-thick layer of humidity that was blanketed by the smell of beer and Taco Bus while screaming along to Living On a Prayer during intermission. The opening night of the Oddball Comedy & Curiosity Fest was one of those rare moments of Tampa pride.