Mohegan Sun attendees: Will you give Frank Caliendo the benefit of the doubt?

[Tryaluckystrike]

Looking forward to the Virus tour tomorrow night. However, I'm a bit concerned about how the overall crowd will act towards Frank Caliendo after his ill-received performance at the Jones Beach show.

I'm hoping that those that don't like his performance take a piss break or just keep silent, but I doubt that will happen.

Knowing that this guy isn't really an O&A regular, what do you expect out of him if you're not to boo? Will he have to have new material (no Bush or Madden impersonations?) Can he still work clean and get the respect of the crowd? Since a lot of significant others and late night TV viewers might actually enjoy his impersonations on MadTV, will you allow them to enjoy that portion of the show without turning on him?

Jones Beach really sounded to me like a mob rules situation. I for one don't care much for Bob Kelly and he's the comedian I'm least looking forward to seeing. But if I don't enjoy his act, I'm not going to boo not only because it impacts others' good time, but because he's a favorite of the O&A crowd. You think this crowd will be more laid back?

[Kid Brock]

I can't believe he hasn't quit the tour yet. I saw him at the Vegas show and here is how it will go down. Madden to Bush to Pacino with a combination of all of them to finish.

[Tryaluckystrike]

I can't believe he hasn't quit the tour yet. I saw him at the Vegas show and here is how it will go down. Madden to Bush to Pacino with a combination of all of them to finish.

Right, but if it's funny does it matter? And if it isn't, is it worth booing over and roooooooooooooning others' good time?

[DanfromBoston]

Looking forward to the Virus tour tomorrow night. However, I'm a bit concerned about how the overall crowd will act towards Frank Caliendo after his ill-received performance at the Jones Beach show.

I'm hoping that those that don't like his performance take a piss break or just keep silent, but I doubt that will happen.

Knowing that this guy isn't really an O&A regular, what do you expect out of him if you're not to boo? Will he have to have new material (no Bush or Madden impersonations?) Can he still work clean and get the respect of the crowd? Since a lot of significant others and late night TV viewers might actually enjoy his impersonations on MadTV, will you allow them to enjoy that portion of the show without turning on him?

Jones Beach really sounded to me like a mob rules situation. I for one don't care much for Bob Kelly and he's the comedian I'm least looking forward to seeing. But if I don't enjoy his act, I'm not going to boo not only because it impacts others' good time, but because he's a favorite of the O&A crowd. You think this crowd will be more laid back?

Dude how could you not like Bob Kelly?

[JordanSRT10]

Does anyone know if cameras will be permited in the arena?

[Buster H]

I for one don't care much for Bob Kelly and he's the comedian I'm least looking forward to seeing. But if I don't enjoy his act, I'm not going to boo not only because it impacts others' good time, but because he's a favorite of the O&A crowd. You think this crowd will be more laid back?

you might be surprised. I was never a big fan of him in studio but was shocked at how good he was on stage.

[Plunkies]

Right, but if it's funny does it matter? And if it isn't, is it worth booing over and roooooooooooooning others' good time?

Yes and yes.

[badcellphoneguy]

I can't believe he hasn't quit the tour yet. I saw him at the Vegas show and here is how it will go down. Madden to Bush to Pacino with a combination of all of them to finish.


Just dont forget him racing through the last part of his schtick.

[Creeping Douche]

i may go, i don't know if i feel like making the drive though......

I would cheer for him though, gotta give him respect for his talent.

[zoloft smile]

He seems like a pleasant enough guy, I just hate any act that revolves entirely around impressions. To his credit, his impressions are pretty good and from my dogshit seat he didn't take a beating anywhere close to the one Jimmy Shubert & Dom Irrera took in Camden last year.

[happytypinggirl]

I like the guy. He doesn't deserve to get slammed. Maybe not a standing o, but why shit on him?

Here's the thing that the "boo-ers" don't get. It should be saved for someone who REALLY sucks so bad they dont even belong on a stage, which really doesn't happen at O&A events (okay maybe that guy whose name I don't remember at Camden deserved it, but nobody else has).

When you boo-- you blow it for other people who are there to see that comic. I'd also bet money that when you boo, you make EVERYONE ELSE who has to go on after them-- including O&A-- really anxious. I'm also willing to bet that throws them off their game and means your fucking with the entire show that you paid $$ to see. And if O&A shows get a rep for the crowd tearing comics apart, it may mean next year other comics dont want to do the show.

Just my two cents.

[Little Chuckie]

I didn't laugh once at his part during the Jones Beach show, but he doen't deserve to get booed. He doesn't belong on the tour doing the same old shit, but the boys do take care of their friends; so I just take it as a chance to catch my breath for the laughter to come after he is done.

I'll be at Mohegan, no laughter will get the point made much clearer than boos.

[MJMANDALAY]

I figured he would be enjoying his open weekends like Burr.

[pezones]

you might be surprised. I was never a big fan of him in studio but was shocked at how good he was on stage.

+1

[Buster H]

I like the guy. He doesn't deserve to get slammed. Maybe not a standing o, but why shit on him?

Here's the thing that the "boo-ers" don't get. It should be saved for someone who REALLY sucks so bad they dont even belong on a stage, which really doesn't happen at O&A events (okay maybe that guy whose name I don't remember at Camden deserved it, but nobody else has).

When you boo-- you blow it for other people who are there to see that comic. I'd also bet money that when you boo, you make EVERYONE ELSE who has to go on after them-- including O&A-- really anxious. I'm also willing to bet that throws them off their game and means your fucking with the entire show that you paid $$ to see. And if O&A shows get a rep for the crowd tearing comics apart, it may mean next year other comics dont want to do the show.

Just my two cents.

2 cents? as usual girl, that's more like a quarter:action-sm

but very true. the only time i have ever been to a non sporting event where boo'ing was justified was the RATM concert in camden when they brought up the family of Mumia..... fucking cop killer

[Steam]

I'm going and will not boo. I've seen some bad comedians in my day but I've never booed. I might just sit there silent but I'm not going to boo.

[TeenBungle]

2 cents? as usual girl, that's more like a quarter:action-sm

but very true. the only time i have ever been to a non sporting event where boo'ing was justified was the RATM concert in camden when they brought up the family of Mumia..... fucking cop killer

Did people actually start booing Buster? God, i hope so. Though my guess would be most of the apologetic white guilt ridden assholes at the show praised the family even though deep down they disagreed. please tell me they booed

[Nevada Redd]

I can't believe he hasn't quit the tour yet. I saw him at the Vegas show and here is how it will go down. Madden to Bush to Pacino with a combination of all of them to finish.

Hey dont forget Farley. Hes decent if youve never seen his act before but if youve ever seen him on MadTV or any late night show its the same old act. Dont be a shitdick and boo the guy just its the best time in the show to go get a beer or take a piss.

[sknight]

Wasn't very good at Jones Beach. He got called on his act by the upper right deck, and it was at that point he started sweating profusely through his act, dripping onto the stage.

I expected him to be great, and he fell short, but the worst part was he blamed the best crowd a comic could possibly have. That sunk him even more and the audience wasn't buying into his games at that point. I didn't boo him, nor did he deserve it initially, but for a couple lines it looked like he was going to go into a Bill Burr in Philly on the crowd. Not a way to convert an audience and not a way to get respect from the best crowd possible in comedy.

[Mother Shucker]

Listen, if you don't like someone, go get a beer. Booing at these shows is not fun for anyone.

[Buster H]

Did people actually start booing Buster? God, i hope so. Though my guess would be most of the apologetic white guilt ridden assholes at the show praised the family even though deep down they disagreed. please tell me they booed

yeah they did. it really fucking pissed me off because it was right in the middle of the show when they stopped to bring them out on stage.

[Rackrunner]

I didn't boo him, nor did he deserve it initially, but for a couple lines it looked like he was going to go into a Bill Burr in Philly on the crowd. Not a way to convert an audience and not a way to get respect from the best crowd possible in comedy.That would have really been something if he went Bill Burr on everyone, since the guy works clean all the time. In all the times I've seen or heard him, he has never swore.

[Hoo Hoo Howie]

I like Frank Caliendo a lot and think he does some pretty spot on voices, but at Jones Beach, I couldn't believe that he was actually doing an entire bit that you can watch in it's entirety on his own website, and all over YouTube. There was not one current reference.. everything was old shit.
George Bush to Bill Clinton, to Madden, to Pacino. It didn't help that it was still sunny out and you couldn't see the video close-ups of his face. You need to see the guy's face to appreciate some of his comedy because a lot of his facial expressions are important to the impressions.

He's gotta bring some new shit to the stage this time. I can see why those few people who were booing did it (even though I didn't agree with it). I just think booing at an O&A show is bullshit to begin with. Like someone else here said.. just go get a beer, or just wait for the next comic.

[monkeyjuice]

He's a fucking hack. Every boo/heckle he gets is well deserved.

[CaraC]

I will listen and laugh if I think its funny... if its not (which I predict), I wont... Im not gonna waste any of his fans time by booing, not worth it

[fuckwit]

Here's the thing that the "boo-ers" don't get. It should be saved for someone who REALLY sucks so bad they dont even belong on a stage, which really doesn't happen at O&A events (okay maybe that guy whose name I don't remember at Camden deserved it, but nobody else has).


http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a278/spedly/integrity.jpg

[ringofhonor88]

just let him do his act.

[Tryaluckystrike]

He's a fucking hack. Every boo/heckle he gets is well deserved.

Bullshit. Why act like a selfish prick? There will be thousands of people in the crowd. You think they paid $45 to $65 (plus the Ticketmaster sodomy fees) to listen to wiseasses boo someone that didn't live up to their expectations even though that person is doing the act expected?

[CyndiTork]

As long as Carlos Mencia isn't there, I'm happy.

[notmikeh]

As long as Carlos Mencia isn't there, I'm happy.

johnny is right. save the booing for mencia. at least caliendo's material is his own.
i can see how caliendo doing dated material would piss people off though. last year on the way to the worchester MA show we listened to a tracy morgan cd, then we were treated the EXACT same routine. which annoyed me but not to the point of booing.

[kenduddly]

Im not gonna boo the guy.He used to come on the show alot back @ wnew.I will give him a shot.

[JordanSRT10]

Caliendo is trying to entertain us, he is trying to make us laugh and have a good time. Isn't that honorable enough to at least NOT boo the guy if he fails?

[teej]

i have a bunch of his bits on my nexus, and i laugh everytime i listen to them. But when i watched him on "Comedy Central Presents.." the other night, i didnt find myself laughing as much when i listen to those same bits on my nexus. hope this isnt what i find myself doing when i see him (in mansfield)

[TeenBungle]

are tix still available for mansfield?

[RoleModel]

Here's the thing that the "boo-ers" don't get. It should be saved for someone who REALLY sucks so bad they dont even belong on a stage,Exactly. Save it for Mencia.

[ddberry]

johnny is right. save the booing for mencia. at least caliendo's material is his own.
i can see how caliendo doing dated material would piss people off though. last year on the way to the worchester MA show we listened to a tracy morgan cd, then we were treated the EXACT same routine. which annoyed me but not to the point of booing.


I kind of feel the same way about Saget. The stuff he did at Jones beach was exactly the same he did at Westbury. Now, I know it was a couple of weeks and a comic tours with pretty much the same material. But he was EXACTLY the same, the "interaction" with the audience, his manorisms, everything. No spontaneity at all. I saw Regan in Ct and on LI and even though more than half the material was the same, he played off the crowd which changed the material, even if only slightly and kept it fresh. Also, if Saget doesn't want people to lock him into the "full house/AFHV" stereotype, then maybe his whole act shouldn't revolve around them. No booing, just a bit of a disappointment.

[7cent]

I And if O&A shows get a rep for the crowd tearing comics apart, it may mean next year other comics dont want to do the show.



Bill Burr...

[Monstercloud]

God, another one of these fucking threads before the show even starts.

Boo if you want, don't if you want. Who gives a shit. Again, it's not going to be you who shuts people up, or you who makes the rules. If the guys sucks, do it your own way. Don't laugh, boo at the comedian, WHATEVER.

Those few who you ruin it for, you will NEVER EVER SEE THEM AGAIN. If you remember someone booing at your favorite comic, and focus on that for the rest of the night and beyond, you probably didn't have a good time in the first place.

[JordanSRT10]

UPDATE:

Frank Caliendo continued to use the older material on stange at Mohegan. He did however add to it and expand it to the point where it wasn't old shit already worn out. At the end of his set, he got a nice response from the crowd. I believe he was about 2nd in the line-up.

[vegasbob]

Franks set here in the Vegas show sucked. 20 mins of the same boring as impressions. Everyone else killed fucking Otto & George were the best.

[Trippy]

UPDATE:

Frank Caliendo continued to use the older material on stange at Mohegan. He did however add to it and expand it to the point where it wasn't old shit already worn out. At the end of his set, he got a nice response from the crowd. I believe he was about 2nd in the line-up.


He was the 1st on.

[JordanSRT10]

Wasn't Rich Vos first?

[Mother Shucker]

Vos is the MC.

[DanaReevesLungs]

They wanted to get Caliendo out of the way quickly this time and not have him ruin the entire show.

[mikeybot]

I kind of feel the same way about Saget. The stuff he did at Jones beach was exactly the same he did at Westbury. Now, I know it was a couple of weeks and a comic tours with pretty much the same material. But he was EXACTLY the same, the "interaction" with the audience, his manorisms, everything. No spontaneity at all. I saw Regan in Ct and on LI and even though more than half the material was the same, he played off the crowd which changed the material, even if only slightly and kept it fresh. Also, if Saget doesn't want people to lock him into the "full house/AFHV" stereotype, then maybe his whole act shouldn't revolve around them. No booing, just a bit of a disappointment.

To be fair, comics aren't accustomed to people following them from show to show like bands may be, so they probably have a stock set they do per tour.
Which is an upside and downside to how unique the tour that O&A is putting on.

[Carolina Kike]

As long as Carlos Mencia isn't there, I'm happy.
Please, please, please don't show us your anal wart at mansfield show!!!!!!!!

[ddberry]

To be fair, comics aren't accustomed to people following them from show to show like bands may be, so they probably have a stock set they do per tour.
Which is an upside and downside to how unique the tour that O&A is putting on.

I totally understand that (even stated it in my comment) but if a performer can't feed off the audience, then you may as well just show a tape. Strictly doing written material word for word and not having a geniune interaction is the same thing as a singer lip syncing at a live show, in my opinion. That's all I'm saying.

[JordanSRT10]

I totally understand that (even stated it in my comment) but if a performer can't feed off the audience, then you may as well just show a tape. Strictly doing written material word for word and not having a geniune interaction is the same thing as a singer lip syncing at a live show, in my opinion. That's all I'm saying.

Definitely. Did you see Stephen Lynch improv for about 10 minutes during his set at Mohegan? Someone wanted him to play Freebird, so he went on a tangent of playing popular songs and rediculing them. Lynch did VERY well.

[booticon]

I totally understand that (even stated it in my comment) but if a performer can't feed off the audience, then you may as well just show a tape. Strictly doing written material word for word and not having a geniune interaction is the same thing as a singer lip syncing at a live show, in my opinion. That's all I'm saying.

QFT. He did a Chris Farley impression? What is this, SNL circa 1995?

[lunarfist]

Definitely. Did you see Stephen Lynch improv for about 10 minutes during his set at Mohegan? Someone wanted him to play Freebird, so he went on a tangent of playing popular songs and rediculing them. Lynch did VERY well.

Same thing happened at jones beach >_>

[Tryaluckystrike]

Just got home from Mohegan. Awesome fucking show. I was particularly impressed with the audience at the show. They understood that the show was for everybody in attendance, not just the few people that don't appreciate certain jokes, sets, or even performers.

I cringed when Caliendo took the stage and prepared for the worst. I was pleased to see that despite doing the set that got him shit on at Jones Beach, the crowd really appreciated it and gave him some good laughs. There were a few awkward silent moments, but certainly no boos and he was a nice buffer act between Vos & Patrice. I wouldn't say he killed, but he did entertain and the crowd was receptive.

[mike4171]

I thought he was ok... I had heard the stuff before never saw him in person though. Overall it was a great show!

[Tryaluckystrike]

I thought he was ok... I had heard the stuff before never saw him in person though. Overall it was a great show!

Exactly. He was good, not great. Certainly not worth booing over though. Hell, he even threw in a fit "shits" to show you that he can fit in. :D

I enjoyed everyone who performed, even Bob Kelly, who I have admitted to not liking too much based on his O&A appearances. But the guy is funny.

The one who surprised me the most was Stephen Lynch. I knew he had a killer voice and great comedic songs, but didn't realize how great an improv performer he was. He had some great lines and facial expressions and took down the evening's lone heckler like a champ. Even my wife, who doesn't really like comedians that use music as part of their act, asked me after if we could see him perform on his own. I could only imagine how great he is when you give him 60-90 minutes instead of a rushed 20.

[mike4171]

what did u guys think of CK?

[booticon]

Lou killed last night.

[StonerJack]

what did u guys think of CK?
Louie killed it, I went to te Worcester show last year and this one was even better, the crowd wasn't going completely insane, but they weren't fucking assholes either. Nobody had a bad performance, everyone did at least a good set and others murdered.

one of the biggest laughs was gotten by Louie
"Your not a woman until people come out of your vagina and stomp on your dreams"

Best: Bobby, Patrice, Louie, Jimmy

Very Good: Otto, Lynch

Not bad at all: Frank, Sagat (I've heard his act a few times so I was kind of over it, but the crowd dug him alot)

And Vos killed as MC at certain parts, like when he asked the lone black guy in the crowd, who Vos learned was from Trinadad, how many sticks and rocks it cost to get tickets.

[StonerJack]

Definitely. Did you see Stephen Lynch improv for about 10 minutes during his set at Mohegan? Someone wanted him to play Freebird, so he went on a tangent of playing popular songs and rediculing them. Lynch did VERY well.

Lynch's "improv" isn't really improv, like when he asks for superheroes from the crowd, he just acts like someone yelled Vagina Man, or ADD man, or Jesus. I had seen him do those same ones before, (hadn't heard heckling cunt though) Lynch did very well.

[Foozzle]

Caliendo was the only one I didn't really like. But it gave me an opportunity to get another beer and use the bathroom before Patrice came on.

And I saw Vos 2 months ago, and was afraid everything he said was going to be the same. I was happy to hear some stuff from him that I didn't hear last time and that wasn't on the DVD.

Norton and CK killed, but I expected that.

[Tryaluckystrike]

Louie killed it, I went to te Worcester show last year and this one was even better, the crowd wasn't going completely insane, but they weren't fucking assholes either. Nobody had a bad performance, everyone did at least a good set and others murdered.

one of the biggest laughs was gotten by Louie
"Your not a woman until people come out of your vagina and stomp on your dreams"

Best: Bobby, Patrice, Louie, Jimmy

Very Good: Otto, Lynch

Not bad at all: Frank, Sagat (I've heard his act a few times so I was kind of over it, but the crowd dug him alot)

And Vos killed as MC at certain parts, like when he asked the lone black guy in the crowd, who Vos learned was from Trinadad, how many sticks and rocks it cost to get tickets.

Bobby being any more than "very good" is debatable. I did enjoy his performance more than I thought, but I wasn't blown away.

[teej]

are tix still available for mansfield?

yes i believe so. seats under the roof might be gone but im sure you can still get some

[CaraC]

Yeah I definitely used the opportunity to go to the bathroom towards the end of Caliendo's set... I had never really heard him before so I went into it as unbiased as possible , and still didnt find him funny... sure I chuckled a couple times through the Bush and Clinton impressions, but never anything close to a big laugh. I WILL say, and maybe its because Ive never seen Otto & George before, that I laughed the HARDEST through his set... tears coming down and couldn't even breathe! Everyone else was great though too, I just think I laughed the hardest at O&G bc I had never seen him

[Dickieboy]

Caliendo's set was old and tired ...I've heard those same jokes 2 years ago . He really needs some new material .

I didnt boo but I didnt laugh either .

[Carolina Kike]

My goal at the Mansfield show is to make Bobby puke. Then, my life will be complete.

[CaraC]

My goal at the Mansfield show is to make Bobby puke. Then, my life will be complete.

That is a quite attainable goal.

[WhipperWhip]

Frank, overall, was a good opener for the show. Not bad, not great, and a little out of place but he was a solid set up man for the rest of the guys.

[VOD]

Caliendo's set was old and tired ...I've heard those same jokes 2 years ago . He really needs some new material .

I didnt boo but I didnt laugh either .


Two years ago? It wasn't that the jokes weren't funny...it's that we originally heard them about 5 years ago on WNEW. He spent most of the set doing Madden as usual. Then we were treated at the end to a Chris Farley impression which however good it is...is still of a comic that died just about a decade ago. I'm just glad that Clinton is still so relevant.

[CaraC]

Frank, overall, was a good opener for the show. Not bad, not great, and a little out of place but he was a solid set up man for the rest of the guys.

I have a feeling they might have had that in mind when choosing the lineup order

[Dickieboy]

They should put him last .

[Little Chuckie]

Putting him first (after VOS opening) is perfect. At Jones beach it was like a roller coaster that was screaming at 120mph and then you were back on the part with the chain that pulls you up. With him being first, its just a rollercoaster that keeps going and going once he is off the stage.

[CyndiTork]

I loved them all but Bob Kelly, Louis CK and of course that adorable Lil' Jimmy all killed.