The Ambassadors of Comedy are en route after a stressed call from the nation of UCSD. The first few weeks of the quarter have created a veritable humorless wasteland, stretching from the former Warren Field to the Iron Curtain-like York Hall.
Scheduled to arrive on UCSD soil Jan. 17, the Ambassadors will convene in Porter’s Pub at 8 p.m. in a free, sidesplitting program. This is the second year the Ambassadors of Comedy have traveled to UCSD as part of an international tour to spread the good comedic word.
These ambassadors are not your typical national representatives. They’re hilarious, they’re hip and they promise not to wear suits.
In fact, these ambassadors are the antithesis of the suit-wearing kind, and promise to put on one very funny, internationally flavored night.
If funds are low in the old savings account and, despite your wanton desires for Bangladesh humor, a jet-set trip to Bangladesh is put on the “”yeah, right”” list, worry not. Gerry “”Mr. Bangladesh”” Bednob comes directly to you.
After all, everyone has a motto. The Ambassador’s motto is, “”When you can’t go on vacation, we bring the vacation to you.””
The Ambassadors not only bring a vacation, but they perform amusing yet enlightening routines detailing the American experience from their perspective as non-U.S. citizens.
A.S. Commisioner of Programming Gabe Grossman reminisced about last year’s show.
“”It’s a really fun, funny night,”” he said. “”One of Mr. Bangladesh’s opening jokes was something along the lines of, ‘I was born in Bangladesh. I’m lucky to have gotten out alive.'””
According to Grossman, the event won’t be like your usual Friday nights, and will be an immersion into the world of quality stand-up comedy.
Veterans of the comedy circuit, the Ambassadors have impressive credentials.
Bednob regularly opens for Joan Rivers in Las Vegas, and has appeared in “”Encino Man,”” “”Doing Time On Planet Earth,”” “”Wonder Years,”” “”Mad About You,”” “”Seinfeld,”” “”The Joan Rivers Show,”” “”The Arsenio Hall Show”” and “”Star Search.””
Mr. Jamaica, aka Jeff Hodge, has devoted 12 years to his comedic calling. His credits include “”Crocodile Dundee in LA,”” “”Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo,”” and in his spare time wrote for the “”Keenan Ivory Wayans Show.””
Dat Phan, aka Mr. Vietnam, is another ambassador with television credits that include performing on Comedy Central, being the 2002 spokesperson for Snapple and the winner of Southern California’s Comedy Survivor Competition.
Other international ambassadors will round out the two-hour program, which mixes in lively multicultural dance and music serving as a buffer for the routines.
“”It’s a great program, and the comedians are great,”” Grossman said. “”Everybody should come.””
The show is expected to run two hours and is free and open to all UCSD students. Pub doors will open at 7 p.m. for those early birds who want front row seats to this showcase of global comedians.
