Comedy show sees successful turnout, mixed reviews

Ronnie Jordan performs as the opening act at the UPC dinner and comedy show on Monday, Sept. 16. The event was put on by UPC’s Live Acts committee and featured a free dinner for students provided by Sodexo Dining Services.

University Program Council hosted a free dinner and comedy show to students featuring comedians Ronnie Jordan and Na’im Lynn in the GUC Performance Center Monday, Sept. 16. The event was well received, although some students were uncomfortable with the content of the performances, said Laura Giles, SGA president.

“The two comedians were recommended by our agent and the agency that we use, (which is) Atlanta Auburn Moon Agency,” said Alonzo Dukes, chair of UPC’s Live Acts committee. “We looked at several of the comedians videos on YouTube and we also looked at other comedians.”

Lynn has been featured on Jamie Foxx’s “Foxxhole Comedy Series” and both comedians have been featured on BET’s Comic View and have toured throughout the country. 

“We wanted to bring in a new culture and a new event to campus for students,” said Nikki Messer, SGA vice president.

Both comedians signed a contract agreeing to perform material that would be rated PG-13, Giles said.

“I wasn’t able to attend the show but the feedback I heard was several students left because it wasn’t the normal atmosphere that we have at UNA,” Giles said. “We cannot control what is said on stage. Overall there was a great turnout, dinner was very good and it was a successful event.”

Students were given a free dinner, provided by Sodexo, in the GUC banquet hall before the show. Attendees were given the opportunity to win a pair of Beats Headphones by Dre and an iHome by telling an original joke. The winners were selected by audience applause

The money to host the dinner and comedy show came from the Live Acts committee fiscal budget from 2012-2013. The new budget will go into effect on Oct. 1, Dukes said.

“My committee and I worked hard to put this event on for the student body,” Dukes said. “UPC and SGA are the voices of the student body and we try our hardest to listen to what they are asking for.”

Some students said they felt the comedians’ performances were too vulgar and felt uncomfortable with the jokes. 

“I have seen both comedians before and both were really funny,” said Jaleesa Diggins, a UNA senior. “I think Na’im is for an older crowd or it may be he was having a bad night.” 

Anna Leigh Rossi, a UNA junior, also said she felt uncomfortable during the comedy show.

“I thought it was a good idea but the comedian was very vulgar,” Rossi said. “Even though we are college students, I felt that some of his jokes were inappropriate.”

Student were able to get free tickets to the event by signing up at the Office of Student Engagement. 240 tickets were picked up by students and more were given out at the door. 

“There were a few things that (Lynn)) said that made me laugh, but a lot more that made me uncomfortable” Diggins said. 

Overall, Dukes said the students responded to the show in a good way.

“When you put on a production like this, you will have your people who love the show and a few that will not,” Dukes said. “But, overall, I think that the student body as a whole was pleased. We tried several promotional tactics and I think it paid off.”

UPC chose to host a dinner before the show because there was money left over in the Live Acts budget and wanted to give students something extra, Dukes said.

“UPC should definitely host an event like this again,” Diggins said. “It was a great getaway from the stress of the week.”