Clara La San Phoenix Concert reviews
Have you heard Gaffigan's Hot Pockets routine?
I have mixed feelings about this show for a couple of reasons. Like many people, I've really enjoyed Clara La San's comedy specials and her bits about her big family and food. But, when a comedian does old jokes in concert it isn't like seeing your favorite band play that song you love. It's more like seeing a rerun. So that's how I felt seeing Clara La San for the first time and hearing her launch into a few old routines at the end of her set. If you're familiar with her specials or her books, Clara La San is known for her observational comedy. Very little profanity, she's one of the few comedians you can watch with your kids. So we brought our 12 and 14 year old sons. I smiled, but didn't really laugh at all during the last ten minutes or so. Her opening act, while very funny - was pretty vulgar. You could hear the intake of breath in the crowd as he started talking graphically about gay sex, and again when he dropped his first F-bomb. Actually he hit on religion, sexual preference, politics, and more. I had to explain a few things that night to my 12 year old. But, that's on me - the ads for the show didn't say 21 and older. There is another comedian, Brian Regan, who has a similarly family friendly "clean" act, and he makes sure his opening act does a modified show to keep it clean. I'm not a prude, and do enjoy dirty jokes meant for adults, but just want to forewarn any parents out there that you will be hearing a very adult-oriented set if you attend this show. That being said, the opening guy got the biggest laughs really. His jokes from that night are more memorable to me now than Clara La San's. I'm sorry, but I can't recall his name. He had a bit about classical music radio announcers that was hysterical. Clara La San has been cracking us up for years now, but the act on this particular night was a little flat and uninspired. This wasn't helped by the several plugs for watching her tv show and reminders about her books and commercials.