Thursday, October 23, 2008
By John Benson
In comedy circles, Youngstown has quite a reputation. Or so says standup comedian and “Bob and Tom Radio Show” regular Greg Hahn, who makes his Northeast Ohio debut Thursday through Saturday at The Funny Farm in Niles.
“I’ve been working hard doing these corporate shows nonstop, so I’m throwing in some new clubs that have the reputation of being the wildest clubs,” said Hahn, calling from his Los Angeles home. “And this club here in Youngstown, everybody seems to love it, so I’m going to put this club on the schedule.
“You know, some clubs get canceled that aren’t so good. This one has a good rep, so I’m coming in to party it up. It’s the heart of America, and it’s going to be my kind of a crowd with good people, booze and hot babes. And we’re going to party, man. I’m looking forward to it. It’s a huge party with all of my best friends I never met.”
The life of the party for the last 15 years, Hahn, a former Marine Corps officer and corporate world employee, is known for his energetic physical humor and one-liners that have lead him to television appearances on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” “Make Me Laugh” and “Star Search.”
Up next for Hahn is a viral video series that can be viewed on his Web site (www.greghahn.com). The funnyman, known by his catchphrase “Monday starts the weekend,” said the small vignettes allow him to spread his comedic wings in hopes of one day attracting interest from Hollywood. For example, one episode finds him working as a wacky and unconventional new sales manager at a car dealership.
“I’m with a new production company, and it’s the same one that produces ‘American Idol,’” Hahn said. “I’m told that’s huge, so if these go well then it could lead to other things.”
While the majority of Hahn’s working schedule is spent performing at corporate gigs, the comedian said the idea of playing a comedy club is tantamount to letting his hair down.
“I’ve been doing clubs for 15 years and the club shows are the ones that go good,” Hahn said. “It’s the corporate shows that are difficult because you don’t have an opening act and the audience is tighter. At a club, you have an opener, a middle performer and the crowd is all loosened up. Plus, if it’s filled with Bob and Tom fans, it’s fun. It’s easy. It’s a party.”
Hmm, sounds like the onus is on Youngstown to live up to Hahn’s level of laughs and fun.
“My show is just less rules,” Hahn said. “People will laugh. I just keep spitting out the jokes. It can’t be stopped. It’ll be great.”