Daniel Tosh, Bill Maher Lead Big Name Comics That Are Touring In 2012
Most events are better live. The event with the largest margin of disparity between “being there” and experiencing through other media is the comedy show—no joke. It’s a phenomenon that has defied scientific explanation. You will laugh louder, harder, and longer when you’re in a crowd at a comedy venue than you will when you’re home alone on your couch. That’s why we recommend attending all the top comedy concerts when they come to your town.
Below, Best Show Tickets looks at five of today’s funniest stand-up comedians that are scheduled to perform live in 2012. The hilarious comics are Bill Engvall, Jim Gaffigan, Bill Maher, Carlos Mencia, and Daniel Tosh. Of course, any discussion of traveling funnymen must mention the “King of Comedy,” Jerry Seinfeld. And yes, his “Highness” will be out and about in 2012. The highlight of his itinerary is four shows on back-to-back nights in Toronto, Ontario on May 4 and 5. Also, look for Jerry in East Lansing, Michigan on May 31.
Bill Engvall
Best known For: Blue Collar Comedy Tour
Comic Style: Observational with a country music/NASCAR sensibility
Top Album: Here’s Your Sign (1996)
“I discovered two very important facts that day [about trampolines]. Number one, the springs will pull the hair out of your legs, and number two, the dog doesn’t like to bounce.”
Bill Engvall along with Blue Collar Comedy alums Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy will lend their voices to the very first animated show produced for the cable network CMT. The show is called “Bounty Hunters” and it’s likely to debut in 2013. The aforementioned comics will also serve as executive producers. To see the real Bill Engvall live and in person, just get tickets to one of his many upcoming comedy shows. The home-spun jokester has 31-dates scheduled for 2012 including sets in Rosemont, Illinois on June 17; Tulsa, Oklahoma on Sept. 7; Austin, Texas on Sept. 21; and Los Angeles, California on Oct. 11. You can also catch Engvall during one of his many appearances at Treasure Island Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
Jim Gaffigan
Best Known For: Roles on That ‘70s Show & My Boys
Comic Style: Sarcastic, self-deprecating, deadpan
Top Album: King Baby (2009)
“I come from a very big family… nine parents.”
It’s hard not to root for Jim Gaffigan. Then again, it’s hard not to root for any artist that puts their money where their mouth is. The pallid jester has financed his own comedy special, “Jim Gaffigan: Mr. Universe” and made it available for download on his Web site for $5 ($1 of which goes to charity). Gaffigan is following the lead of his fellow comic, C.K. Louis—he made his “Live at the Beacon Theater” concert video available on his Web site in 2011. Gaffigan looked into more traditional distribution methods but he found that doing it himself made more sense. While seeing Gaffigan on video is great, it doesn’t compare to seeing him live. In 2012, look for the deadpanned humorist in Cleveland on May 12, Syracuse on July 24, and Charleston on Aug. 9.
Bill Maher
Best Known For: Politically Incorrect
Comic Style: Political, satire, offensive
Top Film: Religulous (2008)
“The problem is that the people with the most ridiculous ideas are always the people who are most certain of them.”
Bill Maher has been booked for a lot of shows this year. You can laugh at his acerbic wit come May 5 and 6 when he performs at the Orleans Showroom in Las Vegas, Nevada; June 1 when he takes the stage at the MGM Grand Foxwoods in Mashantucket, NJ; and July 27 when he grabs the mic at the Paramount Theater in Denver, Colorado. However, the “Real Time” host’s most interesting gig has to be his Sept. 1 performance at the Ruth Eckerd Hall in Tampa, Florida. That show comes one day after the conclusion of the Republican National Convention. Obviously, the liberal Maher is no fan of the GOP (he’s contributed substantial amounts of money to President Obama’s campaign) so his set that night is sure to be a hilarious and carping recap of the 2012 RNC. While it’s going to be a hoot, don’t expect a special guest appearance from Ann Romney.
Carlos Mencia
Best known For: Mind of Mencia
Comic Style: Cultural, political
Top Album: Take A Joke America (2001)
“If you ain’t laughing, you ain’t living, baby.”
Carlos Mencia has recently lost 70 pounds. Now he’s taking his skinny frame and hilarious stand-up routine out on the road. Make sure you capture Carlos Mencia tickets for upcoming performances in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey (May 18 and 19); Marco Island, Florida (June 1 and 2), Chicago, Illinois (June 7-9), and Manchester, Connecticut (July 19-21)—just to name a few dates on his docket. No matter what’s going on outside, Carlos Mencia’s show will go on. Several months ago, fierce storms and tornados were touching down in Tulsa, Oklahoma on the same day Mencia was set to perform. Figuring his show was canceled, the Honduran-born comedian called the venue for confirmation that he did indeed have the night off. Much to Mencia’s surprise, the voice over the phone told him that the place was packed. His diehard fans, who were told by authorities to stay home, had braved the deadly weather just to see him perform.
Daniel Tosh
Best known For: Tosh.0
Comic Style: Unabashed, dark, sarcastic,
Top Album: Daniel Tosh: Happy Thoughts (2011)
“I hope God speaks English. If I get up to heaven and have to point at a menu, I’m gonna be pissed.”
Right now, Louis C.K. holds the mantle as the best comic on the planet. His heir apparent might be Daniel Tosh. Thanks to hosting Comedy Central’s insanely successful program, Tosh.0, the comedian has become a household name, especially if that household is a college dormitory. Tosh has the material and personality to eventually be the best comic standing, but he first has to smooth out his act and focus his material. Tosh’s sets are a little too frantic and his “no-topics-are-off-limits” approach only works as long as the majority of his audience is still trying to figure out their major. Bottom line, when you have Daniel Tosh tickets expect to be shocked, surprised, and disgusted, but most of all you should expect to laugh.