By Jake Sutera
Comedian Norm MacDonald brought his impressive resume and dry sense of humor to Blackman Auditorium last night as part of Kappa Sigma and Delta Zeta’s sixth annual Comedy Night at Northeastern. He took the stage to thunderous applause from the near-capacity crowd.
MacDonald’s hour-long routine covered a wide range of topics. He started with politics and later touched on gay pride parades, designated drivers and the obsession that 24-hour news channels have with women who go.
“You just never know where life is going to take you,” MacDonald told the crowd. “No one is sitting here tonight telling themselves that they are going to lead a life being involved with lots of prostitutes, but you really don’t know what life can bring. This sounds like it could be a commencement speech.”
Although MacDonald’s material appeared to appeal to the college crowd, at times it seemed like the audience had no idea what comedic topic might come next, and at some points it looked like he wasn’t sure either.
“You guys like water?” MacDonald said to the crowd. “Me too. It’s colorless and odorless.”
MacDonald’s wry sense of humor continued throughout the set, much to the delight of the crowd, which was consistently chuckling.
“The best stand-up routine you can have would be a tight, strong act that is prepared properly beforehand,” MacDonald said in an interview with The News after the show. “Maybe next time I should work on that.”
MacDonald is best known for his time spent on Saturday Night Live from 1993 to 1998, when he anchored the popular segment “Weekend Update.” He said he got his start performing as a stand-up comedian in his homeland of Canada before moving to Los Angeles, where he wrote for the popular sitcom “Roseanne.”
MacDonald’s extensive TV and film work include “The Drew Carey Show,” “Billy Madison” and “Dirty Work.” Comedy Central named him No. 83 in its April 2004 countdown of the 100 Greatest Stand-Up Comics of All Time.
The topics of sex, alcohol and politics were prevalent throughout his show, and coupled with his unique slurred delivery of speech, seemed to define his comedic style.
“Some people say that alcoholism is a disease,” MacDonald said during his set. “Well if that’s the case, I think that’s the best disease to have. I mean, you just drink a lot.”
Comedy Night has been an annual success for Kappa Sigma, who for the first time joined forces with sorority Delta Zeta to put on this year’s production. In years past, comedians like Bob Saget, Eddie Griffin, Colin Quinn and Sarah Silverman have graced Northeastern’s stage.
Jennifer Hardy, vice president of programming for Delta Zeta, said the two groups worked hard to deliver a successful show.
“It was a lot of fun doing this,” Hardy said. “We are really trying to bring the fraternities and sororities together, so it was great that we could team up and do this show.”
Vice President of Communications and Relations for Kappa Sigma Chris Bourne said the fraternity usually has success when it comes to finding big names to perform at its shows.
“All of these comedians have been exposed to the public and have had a lot of national face time … That’s why the shows have been so successful.”
Bourne said tickets were almost sold out yesterday and were probably sold out by Sunday night.
MacDonald received a standing ovation as he exited the stage.
“I had never played Northeastern before,” MacDonald told The News. “It was a great stage, a great crowd. College shows are a lot of fun.”
Bourne said one of the reasons events like MacDonald and Rubin’s are important is that they offer an escape from the regular routine of college life.
“It’s conveniently located right here on campus,” Bourne said. “And it’s a great atmosphere.”
Comedian Jordan Rubin opened the show for MacDonald and warmed the audience with a funny 30-minute set. Bourne introduced Rubin and said he was a writer for the MTV Movie Awards and recently had a half-hour special on Comedy Central.
During his set, Rubin was quick to make mention of Northeastern’s past “notable” students.
“Damien Fahey, huh? That’s the best you got?” said Rubin, who was referring to a former Northeastern student who took over as an MTV video jockey for Carson Daly on the show “Total Request Live.”
The audience responded to Rubin’s set, and one student said he wished he could’ve seen more.
“The first guy’s [Rubin] set was very funny,” said sophomore political science major Tom Jackson. “I wish it would’ve been longer.”
Students also seemed to enjoy this break from the daily rigors of college life. Yanni Louloudis, a freshman finance major, said he was happy when he saw the flier in his residence hall.
“It was a fun show, dirty at times, but a lot of fun,” Louloudis said. “I’m glad I went.”
