Collegiate Times

Image: 2012-10-15 20:48:17

Comedian and actor Kevin Hart came to Virginia Tech last Thursday and performed in front of a sellout crowd in Burruss Hall.

The Homecoming Laugh Riot 2012 was sponsored by the Black Student Alliance, an annual initiative for the organization to bring high-profile black artists to Tech.

After mounting anticipation and eagerness from his two opening comedians, Hart arrived onstage, bringing with him fresh, new material.

While many of his jokes poked fun at his small stature, boasting a height of 5’2”, his comedic material bounced around between various
topics, such as interacting with women, taking self-defense classes and going horseback riding with his children.

When talking about self-defense classes, Hart described his climb to fame and need for some protection — especially considering his size and build.

Hart described his first few body guards, each increasing with intensity. First, there was Wayne, whose advice was to “play dead” when a group of men fired shots at a club.

Next, there was Steve, who after returning from a trip to the bathroom, lifted Hart over the VIP railing to return him to his proper place. “I have never felt so small,” Hart said with a laugh.

After the first two disappointments, Hart brought in two professional bodyguards, who were a little too serious for his liking.

Hart described a time while eating at Applebee’s where the bodyguards forbid him to sit by the window.

“I am not at the ‘sniper level’ at this point in my career,” Hart said.

Hart moved smoothly from stories of bodyguards to stories of his children. He was married in 2003 and has two kids; he got divorced last year.

Hart described his child’s imaginative stage, pretending to be Spiderman. Despite some hesitancy, the comedian decided to play along with his five-year-old son’s imagination.

“When he gets mad at me, he webs me,” Hart said. One time, when his son webbed him, the father played along, but his son said, “I had (my web) turned off this time, Dad.” It seems Hart’s son has inherited his father’s inventive comedic thought.

Finally, Hart finished with a story of going horseback riding with his family, which yet again made fun of his height.

Unable to straddle the horse and reach the foot loops, Hart began to kick the horse to make it go, which made it accelerate rapidly.

“I thought everyone was saying, ‘Let go,’ so I rolled off and said, ‘Jesus, take the wheel,’” Hart explained.

After his roughly 30-minute routine, the comedian received a standing ovation from more than 3,000 student, faculty and community members. The audience appeared entertained, excited and satisfied.

Hart has appeared in mainstream comedies such as “Scary Movie 4,” “Along Came Polly,” “The 40 Year Old Virgin” and “Little Fockers.” His tour “Let Me Explain” continues through the end of the year.

The night’s first opener, Joey Wells, helped write Hart’s documentary “Laugh at My Pain” and the TV movie “Kevin Hart: Seriously Funny.”

Wells discussed relevant student-body topics such as getting a college degree in the current economy, frat parties and ensuing frat fights and early jobs as a teenager, which was at McDonald’s in Wells’ case.

The night’s second opener, Will “Spank” Horton, helped write “Laugh at My Pain.” Horton followed in Wells’ footsteps, talking about relevant topics such as college parties, relationships and getting a college degree.

Hart will perform again on Friday in Columbus, Ohio and Saturday in Washington, D.C.

A version of this article appeared in the Oct 16 issue of the Collegiate Times.