Incorrect Comedy at Irvine Improv
By Irvine City News Staff
BOBBY SLAYTON
If you’re looking for nuanced and subtle discussions of the presidential election, terrorism, gender and race relations, Bobby Slayton’s show is not where one should go.
Known as “the pitbull of comedy,” Slayton is not a family-friendly comedian. But he is definitely funny, which is why he’s expected to sell out six shows at Irvine Improv August 11-14.
The raspy-voiced headliner tours constantly with his stand-up show. Many know him best from his regular appearances on radio shows as the guest of Howard Stern, Adam Carolla and KROQ’s Kevin and Bean, and on late-night TV shows like “The Tonight Show.”
So those in the audience know to expect a raw and politically incorrect show skewering (or perhaps advancing) stereotypes, and most likely insulting someone sitting in the front rows. Hopefully, he’s up to date enough on Irvine to know it’s no longer a mono-cultural SoCal suburb. No beige jokes, please. But suffice it to say that those easily offended need not attend.
Slayton, who has a role in Woody Allen’s upcoming Amazon series, also played Joey Bishop in the Emmy Award-winning Rat Pack television film on HBO, alongside Ray Liotta (Frank), Don Cheadle (Sammy) and Joe Mantegna (Dean).
But perhaps a long marriage (his wife of 30 years died this year), fatherhood and AARP status has mellowed Slayton. As he told an interviewer a couple of decades ago: “This sums the whole thing up about being a father more than changing diapers: I never thought I’d go to Disneyland and get on ‘It’s a Small World’--and enjoy it.”
But most likely he’ll include his wife’s death in the routine, and probably in a way that will make him seem to be a total jerk. But later his way of dealing with life’s pain may resonate with the audience that likes that sort of thing. Hey, it’s all part of the act.
irvine.improv.com
Known as “the pitbull of comedy,” Slayton is not a family-friendly comedian. But he is definitely funny, which is why he’s expected to sell out six shows at Irvine Improv August 11-14.
The raspy-voiced headliner tours constantly with his stand-up show. Many know him best from his regular appearances on radio shows as the guest of Howard Stern, Adam Carolla and KROQ’s Kevin and Bean, and on late-night TV shows like “The Tonight Show.”
So those in the audience know to expect a raw and politically incorrect show skewering (or perhaps advancing) stereotypes, and most likely insulting someone sitting in the front rows. Hopefully, he’s up to date enough on Irvine to know it’s no longer a mono-cultural SoCal suburb. No beige jokes, please. But suffice it to say that those easily offended need not attend.
Slayton, who has a role in Woody Allen’s upcoming Amazon series, also played Joey Bishop in the Emmy Award-winning Rat Pack television film on HBO, alongside Ray Liotta (Frank), Don Cheadle (Sammy) and Joe Mantegna (Dean).
But perhaps a long marriage (his wife of 30 years died this year), fatherhood and AARP status has mellowed Slayton. As he told an interviewer a couple of decades ago: “This sums the whole thing up about being a father more than changing diapers: I never thought I’d go to Disneyland and get on ‘It’s a Small World’--and enjoy it.”
But most likely he’ll include his wife’s death in the routine, and probably in a way that will make him seem to be a total jerk. But later his way of dealing with life’s pain may resonate with the audience that likes that sort of thing. Hey, it’s all part of the act.
irvine.improv.com
