Lewis Black- Hanover Theatre
April 27, 2012
By Katy LeBlanc MAME MAGAZINE
If you are not familiar with Lewis Black’s stand up, he is infamous for pointing out the obvious, and his love hate relationship with the US. As a self-proclaimed independent, Lewis Black was able to do the impossible in Massachusetts last week at the beautiful Hanover Theatre: bring an audience of Democrats and Republicans together through laughter while covering hot topics such as the 2012 Presidential race, health care, warfare, and alternative energy.
Black’s current tour “Running On Empty” depicts a frustrating evaluation of our country’s current status. Black’s routines reiterate those things you see on the news, adds a few swears, and throws it in your face saying, “I couldn’t make this shit up.” Just sprinkle in a few statistics and you’ve got a room-full of people laughing at their country’s own sad state of affairs. Nothing is off limits.
He pokes fun at our own horrendous health care plan by stating that almost every country in the world has an effective plan except the United States. “Our country pays 75% more for health care and our people live shorter lives…. That’s not a joke, its true! I think at 75%, we should be able to walk into any 7-11 or corner store and buy a new liver whenever we need it.”
Black then turned his attention to those folks who think that’s alright: the Republicans. With the 2012 primaries coming to a close, just the words “Herman Cain” brought snorts throughout the theater. Then came “Michelle Bachmann” with the final punch line being “Rick Sanntorum”.
At 63 years old, Black’s rant continued into how the life of today’s average child has dramatically evolved from his own childhood. The crowd roared as he reminisced about the times when there were four channels on a black and white television and children had fewer entertainment choices. “You would have to get up and walk…, “he motioned as he slowly made his way across stage, “yes, walk, to the television to change the channel”. Attributing to our country’s eternal ADHD on the fact that today we have too many choices, but nothing of any substance.
He even dared the audience to be productive without constantly checking emails and updating their Facebook statuses. “This is why our country cannot solve any of our problems! We can’t focus on one major issue at a time,” he screamed, citing Farmville as one of the biggest drains on our modern society. “I had no idea how many Americans wanted a fake farm.”
Watch for Lewis Black as he hits nearly every city through December.
If you are not familiar with Lewis Black’s stand up, he is infamous for pointing out the obvious, and his love hate relationship with the US. As a self-proclaimed independent, Lewis Black was able to do the impossible in Massachusetts last week at the beautiful Hanover Theatre: bring an audience of Democrats and Republicans together through laughter while covering hot topics such as the 2012 Presidential race, health care, warfare, and alternative energy.
Black’s current tour “Running On Empty” depicts a frustrating evaluation of our country’s current status. Black’s routines reiterate those things you see on the news, adds a few swears, and throws it in your face saying, “I couldn’t make this shit up.” Just sprinkle in a few statistics and you’ve got a room-full of people laughing at their country’s own sad state of affairs. Nothing is off limits.
He pokes fun at our own horrendous health care plan by stating that almost every country in the world has an effective plan except the United States. “Our country pays 75% more for health care and our people live shorter lives…. That’s not a joke, its true! I think at 75%, we should be able to walk into any 7-11 or corner store and buy a new liver whenever we need it.”
Black then turned his attention to those folks who think that’s alright: the Republicans. With the 2012 primaries coming to a close, just the words “Herman Cain” brought snorts throughout the theater. Then came “Michelle Bachmann” with the final punch line being “Rick Sanntorum”.
At 63 years old, Black’s rant continued into how the life of today’s average child has dramatically evolved from his own childhood. The crowd roared as he reminisced about the times when there were four channels on a black and white television and children had fewer entertainment choices. “You would have to get up and walk…, “he motioned as he slowly made his way across stage, “yes, walk, to the television to change the channel”. Attributing to our country’s eternal ADHD on the fact that today we have too many choices, but nothing of any substance.
He even dared the audience to be productive without constantly checking emails and updating their Facebook statuses. “This is why our country cannot solve any of our problems! We can’t focus on one major issue at a time,” he screamed, citing Farmville as one of the biggest drains on our modern society. “I had no idea how many Americans wanted a fake farm.”
Watch for Lewis Black as he hits nearly every city through December.
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