BSU Students Get the Last Laugh

Homecoming Comedy Show

By Armand Hodge

An overflow crowd jammed Myers Auditorium in the Martin Luther King Jr. Communication Art Center on Oct. 13 for the 2009 BSU Homecoming Comedy Show. Before the show even started, guests were already being turned away due to overcrowding. Even though comedian Kevin Hart delayed his appearance until Oct. 20, the crowd was still just as excited and anxious for the show.

After dancers plucked from the crowd took part in a "Stanky Leg" dance contest and a separate singing contest, the crowd was fully amped. The first comedian to hit the stage was Prince George's County native Lawrence Owens of Landover, Md. After being on stage for just two minutes, Owens already had the crowd yelling and filling the room with laughter.

In a backstage interview before the show, Owens recalled his first stand-up show six years ago and his upbringing in Prince George's County. "Had to be funny, had to be funny...that was my way of staying out of fights," he said, laughing. "I figured if I could make people laugh they wouldn't want to beat me up."

Owens said he definitely believes hard work is the key to success. "Got to work hard to make it...you might not always be able to get a second chance." The comedian said the best words to describe him are crazy, hungry, passionate, but at the same time compassionate.

While a comedian's life may seem like all fun and games, Owens said he is often nervous before a show. "You definitely should have butterflies, it's perfectly normal," he said, adding that he is aware that he has a job to do. "Making people laugh is my inspiration....when it's time to go on I grab that mic, and I'm going do my to tear your soul out."

The headliner of the show was Corey Holcomb. Holcomb is famous for appearing on Nick Cannon's "Wild N Out" and the BET hit comedy show "Comicview." Before Holcomb could barely say two words, the crowd was already screaming and yelling for the comedian. The Chicago native broke onto the scene between 1992 and 1993.

Before the show at BSU, Holcomb recounted his first stand-up show. "It was an open mic night, I got up there did my thang and got a standing ovation. They called me back again for the following week, and this time all my friends from around the way booed me off the stage," he said laughing." Holcomb says he doesn't even get nervous before his shows anymore. "Not even nervous...I've been doing this for so long now that I've got use to it."

Holcomb even jokes about what he would be doing if he wasn't doing comedy. "If I wasn't doing comedy," he said, pausing. "I'd probably be ducking child support."

Holcomb believes the comedy game has changed a lot even since he started years ago. "Yeah a lot, most definitely. Now there's a lot of different outlets and networks that people can branch off into." Holcomb believes the best words that describe him would have to be brutally honest."

Describing his inspiration, Holcomb can't help but laugh. "My inspiration would have to be money, but I do believe I have a message. But making people laugh most definitely."          

Holcomb definitely hasn't let the stardom get to his head. His work helps keep him grounded. When he enters a room his presence even wants to make you laugh. Even through the most serious moments, still finds a way to make people laugh. During his performance at Bowie State, a student in the audience experienced a health issue, prompting him to end his performance early. Holcomb still found a way to keep the show moving for a few extra minutes, and bring smiles to people's faces at the same time filling the room with more laughter. Even after the show, Holcomb could still be seen laughing, smiling, and having a good time. Even though his performance stopped short, Holcomb made a good point, "the show ended with a bang!"