World famous and award-winning comic Ralphie May brings his highly-anticipated comedic performance to Chumash Auditorium tonight.
“I definitely think that this will be one of our more higher attended comedians of the year,” Associated Students Inc. Program Coordinator Michelle Curro said.
May, who got his big break as runner-up for “Last Comic Standing” in 2004, is possibly the most accomplished performer to ever come to Cal Poly. May has produced three hour-long Comedy Central specials including Girth of a Nation, Prime Cut and Austin-tatious.
The buzz around campus has been big leading up to today and that excitement is felt by the staff who put it together.
“(We wanted) name recognition that would be seen throughout campus” recreation administration junior and ASI Special Events Coordinator Dana Matteson said. “I feel like the event is going to be a success.”
The selection process for picking a comic is a long one and the staff here at Cal Poly went through a lot of research in terms of watching YouTube, Saturday Night Live and late night talk shows.
“We have a group of students that get together every quarter…and their sole job is to do research on up and coming entertainment that they feel would be a good fit for Cal Poly students,” Curro said. “It’s completely student driven.”
The staff of ASI started doing research on May and other possible comics in January. “They go out and immerse themselves in pop culture by talking to students, doing surveys and other events,” Curro said.
After the research is done, the student-led team submits their top selections for artists they want to see come perform. May and Justin Blue are the two comics that were approved. Both will be performing this month.
May’s southern drawl adds to his observational style of comedy, which covers pop culture issues and sometimes is controversial. His first CD “Just Correct” went platinum in 2004 as May went on a one-man mission not to be “politically correct.”
The staff that invited May is aware of the possible offensive nature of his jokes and urges students to research him before coming tonight.
“I think every comedian has their niche as far as what their jokes are in reference too,” Curro said referencing May’s no holds barred comedic style.
“I always suggest looking (the comedian) up on YouTube and doing a little bit of research for yourself to see if this is a type of comedian that you find funny.”
Still, she seemed sure that students would show up for the event.
“With all the events (that we put on), you can’t appease (everyone),” Matteson said. “People can make their own decisions whether (or not) to come to the event.”
Ralphie May performs tonight at 8 p.m. in Chumash Auditorium. Blue, who was the winner NBC’s season four of Last Comic Standing will also perform there on Thursday, May 21.
Both performances are open to the public and free with a PolyCard. Admission is $10 without.
"May, who got his big break as runner-up for “Last Comic Standing” in 2004, is possibly the most accomplished performer to ever come to Cal Poly"
Um, George Carlin came to the PAC and I am pretty sure he was more accomplished than Ralphie May…
I am disappointed with ASI’s choice of bringing Ralphie May to Cal Poly! First of all, he brought more racism to this campus! He used his physical attributes as an excuse to bash on “unchangeable” race characteristics such as skin color. In addition, to compensate for his nonwhite racist jokes, he tried to bash on the “white” race. But he FAILED! Instead, he bashed on white people’s political and religious views not their “unchangeable” characteristics. I will never see ASI as a student representation of Cal Poly anymore. Thanks for fueling racism to this non diverse campus. I feel more inferior than I was before.
Dont get me wrong, his other jokes were funny; but RACISM is not what I tolerate. His colored jokes would be more tolerable if it was said by the colored people who represent them!
John,
I’m glad to see that you really took Ralphie’s message of "leave if you’re going to get all offended" to heart. I’m sure the line of students outside, who knew what they were waiting for, truly appreciate your in depth and thoughtful criticism of a show that was filled with things intended to be taken as jokes.
You claim that Ralphie’s "colored jokes would be more tolerable if it was said by the colored people who represent them", which in itself is more racist than Ralphie’s entire act. Trying to say that it’s ok for one race to do something and not for another race is very much the definition of racism. So next time a comedian comes to Cal Poly (Thursday), maybe you can jump off your high horse and take it like the joke that it is.
Better hide your easily offended and pull out your cry-baby pacifiers. RALPHIE’S COMING (and Josh Blue too)
Ralph,
Let me ask you: Did he say white jokes regarding their unchangeable characteristics? No.
But did he say black jokes regarding their unchangealbe characteristics? Yes.
Therefore, this is the true definition of racism. Making a race more inferior and discriminating another race is RACISM according to Merriam-Webster.
From your statemet: “to say that it’s ok for one race to do something and not for another race is very much the definition of racism”
My opinion: “Asking one race to say such nonoffensive things is a matter of RESPECT not racism.”
In addition, is it okay for a nonblack person to say jokes regarding their skin color (eg. how dark they are)? Hell no! is it okay for a nonwhite person to say jokes regarding whites (eg. rednecks)? Hell no! is it okay for a nonmexican person to say jokes regarding mexicans (eg. wetbacks)? Hello no!
I must admit that there are circumstances where close diverse friends are comfortable with each other that it does not affect their circle.
Either it’s okay to make fun of everything or it’s not okay to make fun of everything. Picking what is okay to make fun of and not ok to make fun of is the oppression of free speech. If you don’t like it then don’t go. Most people who listen to Ralphie May and find his jokes funny are not racist. It’s just that they can take a joke and enjoy the humor of not having to worry about weather its okay to laugh or not. It’s okay to not think he’s funny and dislike him. You are entitled to your opinion and views. However, respect other people’s opinions. Don’t go telling everyone else how they should feel about it. Forcing views upon others is the cause of man’s turmoil.