So.....

So I was out walking the dog and some guy was handing out flyers for their "fringe comedy" act and I decided to go. That's how I roll; plan ahead and I dread it with almost every fiber of my being, make plans about 20 minutes in advance, perfect. It wasn't until I was headed out the door that I realized the one of the guys was holding what appeared to be a used condom in the little flyer but I had asked the guy handing out the flyers was was so "fringe" about their comedy troupe, so there you had it, used condoms. Delightful.

Walking by one of the troupe members as I arrived for the show, I overheard him talking about how they had to tone their show down for the Philadelphia audience. This was strange to me as this was the same city that had a parade on election day 2003 featuring women in hot pink underwear and a strategically placed sticker that said "Lick Bush."

During the middle of the day.

Broad daylight, people. Kids around. Lick Bush. A parade down South Street that same evening chanting "Fuck Bush." Definitely spotted at least one kid in that crowd too, chanting along. So naturally, I was a little concerned about how the used condom might come into play in their 'toned down' version of the show and hoped there was no audience participation. To add to my anxiety was the fringe element gathering in the alley waiting to see the show. Some distinguished (read: old) couple who turned out to be press, a group of three couples so young they still talked about fraternities (made a silent vow to sit far away from them), these two odd guys I had seen while out for my walk earlier (I seriously entertained notions they may be masquerading as humans), and a non-couple couple where the girl had the body language that suggested she had feelings for him and he had the body language that wanted to be sure there was no confusion about the fact he didn't like her "that way." She was just happy he was there with her and probably even now is dissecting their night together to see if there was any interaction between them that would serve as a clue to his "true feelings" about her. I had grand plans to watch that play out and then the most annoying man in the world sat down in front of me with his wife/girlfriend/whatever. She was fine, he was an idiot. He kept trying to kiss on her even though she was clearly not into it. He anticipated lines during a sketch, he made 'ooh' noises. I think he's a professional live studio audience member when he's not annoying his dates and other people during comedy shows.

As it turned out the Bacivo Nuggets (what?!) were okay and definitely not a waste of the ten dollars I paid to see them. It was kind of like Saturday Night Live which is usually amusing but rarely hilarious. I will say though that the trend in comedy for men to make out or hump eachother is something I hope is a fad. I won't miss it when/if it passes. I don't really enjoy seeing men rub all over eachother, not even for comedy. I don't think it's funny. Uncomfortable, 'oh God please don't actually open your mouth and kiss that guy' laughter is not the kind anyone is thinking about when describing it as the best medicine. And the way the act ended ***SPOILER ALERT**** with two guys going at it with furtive and frightening commitment is not the way a single gal in Philadelphia needs to end her evening of entertainment. I don't have to pay to see two guys making it with eachother here. It's PHILADELPHIA.