Who is Lewis Black you ask? During his act, he is an angry and irritated commentator on all that ails today’s society. He gives equal time to the failings of both the Democratic and Republican parties.
Lewis Black is a 60-year-old Jewish man to which no subject is off limits.
So why, do you ask, did I want to go see a foul-mouth, abrasive comedian rant and rave? Because he’s funny! He makes me laugh. His take-no-prisoners style of telling it like it is is refreshing to me.
I wanted to go see him back in December at the University of North Carolina, but due to the busy schedule of the newsroom I couldn’t get away then. So when I found out that he was coming back to Chapel Hill, I was in. I marked the day tickets went on sale on both my home and work calendars. I called early the morning tickets went on sale to the public. I got a seat 16 rows back from the stage in Memorial Hall.
The reason that the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is one of Black’s favorite haunts is because he graduated from the school of drama there 40 years ago. During his tenure at UNC Lewis first ventured into stand-up, performing at Cat’s Cradle in Chapel Hill. Stand-up continued to be a steady presence as he pursued his career in theater, according to his official Web site. I even found out that he has a permanent residence there.
So leading up to this comedic event, I wanted to do it up right. I called around and found a room at the Hampton Inn in Chapel Hill. The show didn’t start until 8 p.m. I figured it would be a long night driving home, so I decided to play it safe and stay there. I thought of it as a mini vacation. I even bought a new dress for the occasion.
My coworkers, one of which graduated from Chapel Hill, suggested that I eat dinner at Top of the Hill on Franklin Street. That turned out to be a good plan.
To make a long story short, I got to my room overlooking the pool, got dressed up and headed out for a night on the town. At Top of the Hill I was a little concerned because there were a number of people ahead of me, but luckily they were all big parties. “Table for one, coming right up,” said the hostess.
During dinner, which was spectacular, I told my waitress Elsa that I was a huge Lewis Black fan and that I had come to see the show. She said he had just been sitting with the people at the table directly in front of me. I had just missed him. But, she said he likes to come to Top of the Hill after his shows on campus. I thanked her profusely for the hot tip and told her that I am a visiting journalist. As it turns out, Elsa is going to graduate in May with a degree in journalism. What a small world.
The show was wonderful. I laughed until my sides hurt. It was all that I had expected it to be. If you ever get the opportunity to see a comedy show, I highly recommend it.
After the show I turned my attention to my next mission — meeting Lewis Black.
I walked across campus back to the restaurant. After about 30 minutes I started to get discouraged because although the setting for dinner was elegant and calming, the place was now packed with college kids drinking beer as fast as they could order it. I thought to myself, why would he want to hang out here? I even called my colleague to see if there was another place she thought he might to go after his show that was a little less, well, noisy. I hadn’t been off the phone five minutes when there he was — standing 10 feet away.
Okay, I thought, he’s here, but how do I meet him? I can’t just walk up to his table and introduce myself, that wouldn’t be cool. So I thought and I thought and I had nothing, not a clue. But as fate would have it, as I went up to the bar to get a glass of water, I turned around and he was standing right there.
I’m sure I looked a little shocked as I stuck out my hand and said “Hi Lewis, nice to meet you.” I was so nervous I didn’t even bother to tell him my name, simply because it wasn’t important. I told him that I’m a huge fan and that I thought the show was great. He asked “Really?” and I said, “Of course it was.” Then he kind of brushed me off with a hand gesture that led me to believe that I needed to mosey along.
I’m now kicking myself for not getting an autograph or a picture with him. It’s not like these chances come along every day. The worst he could have said was no. But all in all I was thrilled to meet him.
In addition to being a hilarious stand-up comedian, he keeps up with a rigorous touring schedule, TV appearances and movie roles. Lewis has written two best selling books, “Nothing’s Sacred” and “Me of Little Faith.” Both garnered critical praise and spent numerous weeks on The New York Times best seller list.
As a playwright he has penned more than 40 plays. In 2006 he co-starred with Robin Williams in “Man of the Year,” appeared as the fake dean of a fake college in “Accepted” and as the harried airport manager in “Unaccompanied Minors.”
So while I got to meet someone I have watched on TV, in the movies and now on stage, I regret not seizing the opportunity to have my picture taken with him or even an autograph to show for it.
Learn from my example, live life to the fullest whenever possible, try not to have any regrets and laugh often!
Mondee Tilley is a staff reporter for The Mount Airy News. She can be reached at mtilley@mtairynews.com or at 719-1930.
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