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Southern-fried comics on ‘whirled’ tour
By John Benson
When word came out that Bill Engvall, Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy were hitting the road on the “Them Idiots Whirled Tour,” which includes a Saturday show at the Wolstein Center, shock waves went out among comedy fans.
Where was Ron White, who along with the three aforementioned funnymen made up the popular “Blue Collar Comedy Tour?”
“I’ll tell you exactly what’s happening, I don’t believe in sugarcoating anything, Ron didn’t want to write new clean material,” said Engvall, calling from Los Angeles. “So we’re fine with that.”
The “Blue Collar Comedy Tour” debuted at the turn of the century and quickly began selling out arenas. Soon it became viewed as a super-group of high-profile Southern-fried comedians that over the next five years or so sold millions of DVDs and CDs. However, something that’s changed since its initial run is the success of Larry the Cable Guy, who is now atop the comedy food chain.
In fact, he’s actually headlining the “Them Idiots Whirled Tour,” the title of which Engvall hates. He fears decades from now he’ll be referred to as an idiot. As for the current line-up, Reno Collier opens and emcees the show with Engvall on first, Foxworthy second and Larry the Cable Guy closing.
Actually, all three acts end the current show together with their popular barstool unplugged jam session of sorts.
“There’s a general outline but it rarely gets stuck to just because we all have ADD pretty bad,” Engvall said. “It can be all over the map. ”
Engvall said his life today involves being an empty nester with his kids in college. You better believe that, along with just getting older, is the source of his current material. The 54-year-old Texas native is also quite busy hosting GSN game show “Lingo” as well as acting as a recurring character on TNT’s “Hawthorne.” Up next for Engvall is a drama he sold to TNT based loosely on the classic ’70s “McCloud” television series.
As Engvall explores his acting chops, he’s uncertain whether the three idiots will ever share the stage again.
“I say this in all due sincerity – and I’m not trying to pump up the show – but this may be the last time we’ll all be together,” Engvall said. “I don’t know how long this is going to go, and it’s a show you may not get three guys of our stature on the same show anymore. So it’s a great way to see all three of us together and it’s two-and-a-half hours of just laughter.”