Comic Actor Known For TV & Film Roles Slays A Near Sellout Crowd @ Music Hall

Jeff Walker,  Entertainment Writer

Whether you define his comedy as zany, unfiltered, or off the rails, Nick Swardson is downright funny. Saturday (Nov 9th) night, the popular stand-up comedian brought his 'Toilet Head' comedy tour to an appreciative crowd at the Charleston Music Hall.

Avoiding the run of the mill jokes and one-liners about politics and current events, Swardson finds more humor in offering up comedy bits surrounding his standup journey, revisiting some of his favorite TV and film roles, including 'Grandma's Boy' and 'Bucky Larson'. 

He garnered overwhelming applause when describing his obsessive clothes buying sprees during the time he portrayed Terry Bernadino, a flamboyant roller skating gigolo on Reno 911!. Recalling how he picked up a bright pink 'Christian Princess' tee shirt in a faith based store, and the encounter with the elderly checkout person brought resounding laughter.

Swardson's long running friendship with Adam Sandler and his Saturday Night Live alum has provided Swardson with a treasure chest of material over the years, with Swardson not afraid to make Rob Schneider, Kevin Nealon, or the late Norm McDonald the butt of many of his bits. From drunks at an airport bar to ordering children's cereal during poker night with the guys, Swardson finds comic genius and a variety of situations, including farting. Hey, we all pass gas!

Although Swardson doesn't consider himself an impressionist, he mimics several of the SNL performers and other comedians to a tee. There's the time David Spade introduced Swardson to Jerry Seinfeld, offering up Swardson was a fellow stand-up, only to have Jerry react with 'and you dress like that'. That allowed for a nice bit on Seinfeld's Armani suit.

While he can easily afford it, Swardson doesn't take the stage in over-priced attire, rather he resembles a teenager ready to hit the local skate park. Swardson carries a certain swagger. Truth is he's comfortable in his clothes. He exudes an unbridled energy on stage, pacing frantically back and forth much like the Energizer bunny, unleashing an arsenal of rapid fire jokes and comedic stories.

Allowed 25 minutes, his opener Nick Youssef was equally funny, offering up hilarious anecdotes about life in his 40's, calling out front seat audience members late to the show, while spending a decent amount of time weighing the difference between adopting or buying a dog.

Youssef included a clever bit on being a young teen trying to save enough money to buy a Smashing Pumpkins double CD in 1995. At age 13, $23 could have easily been a $1000. He turned up the humor adding how long it took to free the CD from its plastic case before popping it into a Sony Discman. It only skips when you're walking. Many of us have been there!

As for Swardson, he spent the better part of an hour making a near sellout crowd forget about the election, and anything else recently happening outside the four walls of the Charleston Music Hall. That's exactly what a smart stand-up comedian should do. Who knows, he might be bringing the 'Toilet Head' tour to your part of the world. So, for a chance to see him live visit http://nickswardson.net/events/