Anthony Jeselnik stand-up
Englert Theatre — Saturday, May 10 at 8 p.m.
With four big name comedians coming to Iowa City in a span of five days, it’s an amazing weekend for comedy fans. However, if Anthony Jeselnik was the only comic coming to town, it would still be an amazing comedic weekend. Jeselnik will be performing at the Englert Theater on Saturday, May 10, at 8 p.m.
Known for his dark, borderline sociopathic style, Jeselnik has crafted a stage persona that’s magnetic and a little bit frightening (or at least, let’s all hope this is just a stage persona). Taking cues from legends like Mitch Hedberg and Stephen Wright, Jeselnik’s jokes are extremely economical and usually in the form of a non sequitur. He enthusiastically pursues touchy and taboo topics, with jokes about cancer, obesity, and September 11, among other terrifically inappropriate subjects.
http://youtu.be/v0OmticDIIc
He also frequently comments on his own material, saying “That was a great joke” after a joke for instance, further emphasizing his unflinchingly arrogant character. Spend just a few minutes with his material and it’s clear that Jeselnik is the embodiment of someone you want to come to a party…but who you want to leave when everyone is a few drinks in.
Though he’s been performing for about a decade now, Jeselnik has hosted his own show on Comedy Central, The Jeselnik Offensive, for two seasons in 2013. He’s also written for Jimmy Fallon, released two critically acclaimed albums, and has performed on three Comedy Central Roasts, gaining significant attention from his appearance at the Roast of Donald Trump. So maybe he’s earned some of that arrogance.
http://youtu.be/hUlLAryProg
