SHANNON URTNOWSKI
A&E Assistant
A night of fun, laughter and quality entertainment needs no flashy name. What you see is what you get with “Comedy Night,” a show for students to relieve their stress and liven up their weekend.
“Comedy Night” will showcase professional comedians Lou Santini and Tom Connolly on the second floor of the HAWC tomorrow night at 8.
“We wanted great comedians who were aware that Pepperdine values clean comedy,” said event-coordinator Justin Schneider. “These guys came very highly recommended.”
The Student Programming Board is always on the lookout for unique events to host on campus, and “Comedy Night” is an event the board is excited to add to the lineup.
“We feel that people like to laugh, so we want to provide a venue for that,” Schneider said.
This is a unique event because only one or two stand-up comedy shows are booked each year.
This is also the first time a comedy show will take place in the HAWC.
“I think it will offer more intimacy and make people feel like they are a part of the action,” Schneider said.
Santini is excited about the upcoming performance, and he hopes to receive a good response from the audience.
“There is really nothing better than being in the zone,” he said. “I’m addicted to the rush.”
However, laughter must be earned, and standup comedians always face the difficult task of getting past the new faces and finding a humorous common ground.
While many comedians resort to “dirty humor,” Santini promises he and Connolly will stay away from such cheap entertainment.
Freshman Annie McKinley is pleased the pair will not be taking their comedy too far.
“I think that racial slurs and jokes about sexuality can cross the line,” she said. “Good taste is entertaining and funny.”
Despite the seriousness of these issues, some people still find humor in them.
“We know what we’re allowed to laugh at, but sometimes we find things funny that we shouldn’t,” said psychology professor Steve Rouse.
Our culture tells us both what is acceptable and unacceptable to joke about, he said.
While comedians have a responsibility to be considerate of others, people also need to have a good attitude about comedy.
“People need to understand that comedy is made to be funny and entertaining, so understanding the context of the joke is the most important thing,” McKinley said.
Schneider is confident the show will go smoothly, and he feels it will be a much-needed stress release for students.
“Humor gets people through the tough times,” Schneider said. “It also allows students who have been studying a ton to take a break and relax the mind,” he said.
McKinley agrees that there is nothing better than a good laugh when in a stressful situation.
“Laughter is good for mental health,” she said. “Life is lighter with laughter, and it takes a load off our shoulders and gives us a better demeanor.”
Past psychology studies on the effects of humor on individuals have shown that laughter has very positive health benefits.
“When one is put in a situation that is humorous, there is an increase in proteins in the immune system,” Rouse said. “This promotes quick recovery against disease.”
To add to this finding, research shows that non-derogatory jokes have a more positive influence on people.
“The health benefits are better when the jokes are non-derogatory,” Rouse said.
Santini said he promises a good show with jokes that all can enjoy, so he hopes to see many watchful eyes in the audience tomorrow night.
He is not nervous about the crowd, though.
“I can honestly say that I have never been nervous before a show,” Santini said. “Well, maybe once,” he added.
Santini said he is anxious about the upcoming show on campus. But, it is “definitely the good anxious,” he said, “because I really enjoy when the energy is up.”
Santini and Connolly will be making further stops together after tomorrow night’s performance.
They are both from Southern California, and Santini said it will be nice doing a local performance.
Both Santini and Schneider said they hope students take advantage of this fun event and attend the show because it is convenient for them, as well.
“It’s a matter of students realizing that they have a great event here that is free and fun,” Schneider said.
He said he is confident that those who show up will have a great time.
Schneider said he anticipates a good crowd, so “students should arrive early to get a good seat,” he said.
02-09-2006
