Comedian draws on '70s variety shows

Morton is a regular guest on radio's 'Bob & amp; Tom Show.'
By JOHN BENSON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
A child -- or better yet, student -- of the '70s, comedian Greg Morton is a one-man traveling variety show.
Raised on classic television programs such as "The Dean Martin Show" and "The Sonny and Cher Show," Morton decided that's how he wanted to approach his live act. For roughly 20 years, his repertoire has included everything from zany slapstick and physical comedy to memorable impersonation and improvisational bits. He also throws in a few song parodies and some observational material to boot.
A regular in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, Morton features a unique approach that has made him a highly sought-after performer, opening for the likes of Celine Dion, Dionne Warwick, Harry Connick Jr., and Luther Vandross.
"It's a real mix," said Morton, calling from West Virginia. "I'd say I'm more of an entertainer. I have some entertaining things where I act out some mimes and sketches and things like that. It's a whole myriad of different styles."
Morton got his start in comedy while working at first as an animator for "The Scooby and Scrappy Doo Show" and then doing voiceover work for various Saturday morning cartoons.
From there, he owned his own disc jockey company, where he provided entertainment for parties and events and simultaneously honed his comedic and impersonation skills.
Varied performance
To this day, he still performs an old routine that dates back to his DJ days. It's a musical tribute to the '80s, which finds Morton offering his take on Prince, Madonna, Mick Jagger and more.
Something else that has become a calling card for Morton is his hilarious two-minute synopsis of the "Star Wars" movies. Current events also have a place in his routine.
"I'm talking a lot about how everything is killing us," Morton said. "About how you can't even eat spinach or lettuce anymore. Somebody is out there wiping their [behind] with it. I ask, 'Why can't it be brussels sprouts? Why can't it be some of these other vegetables we don't even like?"
Morton, who can be heard as a regular guest on the nationally syndicated "Bob & amp; Tom Show," is looking forward to his return to Cleveland Wednesday through Dec. 31 at Hilarities.
"I love clubs too for the intimacy but sometimes they're a little bit too intimate," Morton said. "I don't know why, but people just feel the need to talk to you when you're on stage. There doesn't seem to be a fourth wall anymore."
Dealing with hecklers
Perhaps this shouldn't be surprising considering we live in a reality television society. So how does Morton deal with hecklers?
"In a kind of Michael Richards way," deadpanned Morton, referencing the recent despicable racial outburst by the once popular "Seinfeld" actor.
"No, I find that kind of making your intentions clear up front with club security is good, how much you want to play and how much you want to deal with that sort of thing. Last night, I'm in West Virginia, where they really talked to me a lot. I guess they never heard of a rhetorical question down here so I just kind of waited them out until they all got settled and then all of a sudden they got tired of playing."
Similar to taking a dog for a walk, Morton simply lets the audience burn off some of its energy before he settles into his routine, which he's not shy about hyping.
"It's going to be the most completely entertaining show," Morton said.
"You'll see everything and you won't get bored because I'm like a pitcher with a fastball, screwball, curveball. It's something different all of the time."