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March 18, 2008
Gallagher @ The Blender Theater - 3.14.8
Will plastic outerwear be enough to save us from Gallagher?
NOTES
--We think our disappointment with Gallagher's performance on Friday stems from our misunderstanding on what to expect. We thought the set up was: "An icon who's fallen off the radar returns for a new shot at cultural relevance." That's every show on VH1; you can't resist that! The problem was that that wasn't the true lead in to the show. Rather, it was simply: "An icon who's fallen off the radar returns." Period. We don't think he's trying to be popular or relevant again.
--His jokes, which have an old coot-like anticharm to them, consist mainly of handicap harrassing, racebaiting, queerbashing pomp. He proudly talks about how GLAAD has been on his case and that he's not allowed on TV because he speaks too much truth. When he's not telling jokes or smashing stuff, he spits root beer on the crowd, ruins people's clothing without warning, interrupts during his openers' sets, and degrades the gimps who come on stage. One hammer smashing volunteer who was covered with all sorts of shit (mostly mayo), incisively inquired, "How am I going to get a cab home like this?" You think Gallagher cares?
--There's certainly something sexually humiliating about the whole affair. We doubt everyone in the assembled crowd is into watersports, but we imagine 85 percent of the people in the front rows are.
--Speaking of the front row, a distraught couple sitting there was heckled out of the venue by Gallagher. We weren't close enough to see their alleged disruptiveness, but at least 15 minutes of the show was dedicated to the following chain of events: Gallagher degrading the couple > them trying to apologize > Gallagher degrading them again when they weren't doing anything > Gallagher causing a big scene until they left > them standing near the exit in disbelief reassuring each other what a jerk Gallagher is > the boyfriend marching towards the stage to say, "Hey Asshole, you made my girlfriend cry!" > the couple being escorted out by security.
--But this was all just indicative of the larger chaos. Anyone could simply walk up to the stage and stick a buck knife into it, like when Gallagher asked the crowd for something to cut apples with. One attendee claims to be suffering from Post-Traumatic-Gallagher-Disorder.
--The seats, the audience, the walls, the scrim, and the entirety of the orchestra section of the Blender Theater was draped in Hefty bags and plastic. Not very eco-friendly for someone who so passionately portrayed Uncle Earth!
The protective garbage bag of the girl Gallagher made cry finds its way to a bigger garbage bag all too soon.
Posted by The Apiary at March 18, 2008 11:45 AM
Comments
I think Gallagher was great except for the hecklers that were obviously there for the opening act that wasn't that good. The college kids in the audience didn't respect the fact that it was Gallagher's show and couldn't keep quiet for one minute which made it an impossible situation for Gallagher, but the audience as well. Gallagher is still funny and on top.
The Howard Stern interview was fantastic! All the honesty and truthfulness was something you don't expect from anyone that is in that business.
I am still a long time Gallagher fan and will see him in person any chance that I get. One bad situation doesn't make Gallagher an old coot that has fallen off the radar and returned. (period) New York audiences are notorious for being opinionated and unforgiving; trust me I live hear and have seen this happen more than once to other comedians.
Posted by: Kristopher at March 19, 2008 2:16 PM
More relevant than ever.
People wear garbage bags to see him! I wish he would do a show without any mess, though. Still have all the prep work go into it, though. People sitting in plastic hearing an old man complain about gays. That's art! No question about it.
I'm un-ironically jealous.
Posted by: David Angelo at March 19, 2008 3:13 PM