By Bob
Silvestri
bobsilvestri@bestofwny.com
Iconic
actor/comedian Bill Cosby brought his brand of folksy humor to a full house
at the Events Center at The Seneca-Niagara Casino in Niagara Falls, NY
on November 23rd, 2007. Looking like your next door neighbor stopping over
to visit, Mr. Cosby strolled on stage in a UMass sweat suit and sneakers
and improvised a bit with the casino employee who came on stage to introduce
him. In fact most of the evening's comedy seemed improvised with topical
subjects as the previous days Thanksgiving with families, husband and wife
dynamics and many funny references to casinos and Native Americans. Part
of Cosby's appeal is that none of the jokes comes across as racist, demeaning
or offensive to the people he skews. A valuable lesson to young comedians
that you can be funny without being crude and vulgar. For close to two
hours he regaled us with his observations, witticisms and homespun stories
while seated in a leather chair, crawling on the floor or standing all
while using his signature facial expressions for comedic effect. Occasionally
he seemed to get side tracked with a story but would always find his way
back to the main point he was conveying. To end the show he sat on the
edge of the stage and asked two sisters and their elderly mother to come
forward and asked the usual questions, where you from, are you having fun
etc., before cracking some jokes at their expense and then asking the one
sister for her cell phone and calling her somewhat surprised husband at
home. He then asked them to play casino games with him for some hilarious
benign fun. When he was done he waved to the crowd and casually strolled
off stage like a neighbor heading back home. For more upcoming shows at
the Seneca-Niagara Casino go to www.senecaniagaracasino.com
|