Western Courier

Issue date: 10/12/07 Section: The Edge

Media Credit: Steve Scapardine

Media Credit: Steve Scapardine

The Western Illinois University Union Grand Ballroom came alive with laughter as Brian Posehn visited the campus Tuesday night. Fans began lining up a good hour before the doors opened to get quality seats for watching this veteran performer.

Although his name is not always recognized, many people are familiar with Posehn's work from the "Comedians of Comedy," "The Sarah Silverman Program" and "Just Shoot Me."

Upon hitting the stage, Posehn launched into true-life stories about his wife, pets and being a heavy metal geek. Seemingly tired and disconnected at the beginning of his act, Posehn explained his situation to the crowd.

"I woke up at 5 a.m. in L.A. to come here. That's tough for a pot smoker. I should be waking up at 5 p.m.," he said.

After his performance Posehn talked about his before-stage jitters.

"Even though I've been doing this a long time, before I get on stage I'm all in my head. By the time I get off, I'm all excited and don't go to sleep for hours," Posehn said.

With tales about his own life, such as looking himself up on Wikipedia, his wife farting and naming certain parts of his anatomy, Posehn comes across as a loveable nerd many males can relate to. His act, which contains references to "Star Wars," marijuana and video games, gives him a bit of a niche audience.

"I prefer to perform in front of people who are (already) fans. I'm not for everybody," Posehn said.

His work ranges from stand-up to movies, television and even a comedy metal song, "Metal by Numbers," which he performed with Scott Ian of Anthrax.

"I'd like to do more of that. Scott Ian is a good friend," Posehn said.

The standing ovation he received after walking offstage prompted an encore performance that left Posehn scanning his yellow sheet of jokes for something he had not already covered.

"Usually (fellow comedian Patton Oswalt) does the encore. I wasn't ready," Posehn said.

The opening act, AnthonyJeselnik, started the show off well with his brutal, offensice comedy which touched upon such subjects such as pedophilia, drug use, the Bible and death, with the audience enjoying every joke.

"This is what's known as killing. You get no higher in comedy," Jeselnik quipped in the middle of his act.

After a few jokes, the audience fell in pace with Jeselnik's slow, deliberate delivery. Chuckles and murmurs of "Oh, God" could be heard during his set-ups alone. Every mind in the audience was trying to guess what his shocking - but ultimately clever - punch line would be.

"I try to tell smart jokes. You can't just be disgusting and offensive. I just hope people get that," Jeselnik said when asked about performing the explicit content of his act in front of a crowd who had paid to see a very different comedian.

"I've never done a college before. I didn't know what to expect. I'm glad everybody liked it," he added.

After the performance, both Posehn and Jeselnik were available for pictures and autographs, signing everything from T-shirts to musical instruments. Both comedians were approachable and wearing smiles from a well-received show.

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