Last Comic Standing finalist Ralphie May took to the stage at the Center for the Arts Thursday night with a staggering three-hour set.
The night opened with the antics of May's wife, Lahna Turner. At first, the audience was weary to laugh at Turner's crude humor while she played guitar, but it wasn't long before she had the audience laughing enthusiastically at her raunchy jokes and rather unconventional love songs.
One of the most memorable moments during her set was when Turner gave her take on what a duet between Anne Frank and Helen Keller would sound like, and even elicited audience participation to perform the different roles of the "singers." Needless to say, she was not afraid to be over the top and show the audience what she thought of controversial topics.
After Turner wrapped up her set, she invited her husband onto the stage. Taking to the spotlight with his signature robust presence, May wasted no time appealing to the audience.
May began his set the way nearly every other comedian who's ever come to Buffalo has, by detailing his experiences in the Queen City. He made jokes about fan favorites such as his dinner at Duff's, and how much he appreciates the city as a whole.
"The weather's partly suicidal, but the people are f****** tremendous," May said.
No topic was off limits for May, as he iterated about controversial political issues in today's society. Included in his repertoire was the repeal of the "don't ask, don't tell" law, terrorism, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the Arizona immigration law.
"I'm racially insensitive, culturally controversial, politically incorrect, but at least I'm honest," May said.
The audience seemed to appreciate his use of these topics to present his serious side with the intention of spreading lessons of positivity and acceptance to the audience. He strived to promote diversity, saying that society should put aside its differences to appreciate all life.
"I thought he was good. He touched on a lot of important issues and he was inspirational," said Dan Kozlowski, a sophomore computer engineering major.
Following in the same vain as Turner, May showed his more controversial side, fueling the fires of cultural difference as he dealt stereotypical cards out evenly to audience members. The crowd members eagerly accepted their stereotypical labels, laughing along as others were ridiculed.
Taking some time to show his less abrasive nature, May connected to audience members with his meaningful, educational jokes pertaining to real-life experiences.
Having grown up in poverty, May also took the time to comment on society's material fascination.
"It's not about black and white, it's about green, who got it and who don't," May said.
May truly showed his appreciation for the audience members by doubling his performance time while performing on his birthday. At the end of the show, May and Turner signed merchandise and ticket stubs and took photographs with audience members.
"It was absolutely amazing and very heartfelt. He's got a good message, and it was progressive," said Luda Gugkaeva, a junior international studies major.
The audience walked away Thursday with the satisfaction of a night full of comedic genius coupled with humorous (yet intellectual) life lessons.
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