By Bernard Krumm, Special to the Chronicle
When Louis C.K. graphically described the work ethic of porn actors, I was sitting front row next to two alumni who graduated in 1968. While I was howling uncontrollably with laughter, the looks on their faces expressed nothing but discomfort and awkwardness. That situation made me realize something about Louis C.K. He doesn't play to the crowd, which he proved when he flipped off the top row shortly after taking the stage.
Whether in front of a few degenerates at a bar or 3,000 people at a college campus, C.K. will be there, decked out in his black t-shirt and sneakers, saying the things that we all think about but that our inhibitions keep us from expressing publicly.
Unlike last year for the Jimmy Fallon show, the students did not have a chance to bid on opening for Louis C.K. this year. Instead, up and coming comedians, including yours truly, tried out for a chance to meet the comic after the show, as well as perform at Caroline's in New York City and meet a comic agent. I'm glad to say that I was the winner by a close margin, but it hasn't gotten to my head.
The privilege of opening for C.K. belonged to Ted Alexandro. Alexandro proved to be an excellent match for C.K. Early forties, single, and with the same easiness towards taboo topics, it is easy to see why C.K. picked him as his opener. Alexandro played the role well, delivering his honest and at times shocking material in a laid back manner.
The main event received a warm reception when he took the stage and from then on, the laughter never ceased. His act is not particularly visual, although many of his jokes for this particular performance were acted out. C.K. also doesn't rely on punch lines to make or break his act. What his humor relies on is the irony and intrigue that he finds in everyday situations, how he reacts to these situations, and how he relates it to the audience.
When C.K. was not giving his observations, he leaned towards telling stories. His material varied in seriousness, as he quickly transitioned from light hearted topics, such as using recreational drugs, to the deeper territory of adjusting to single life. A subject that most people would dance around, C.K. did not shy away from his divorce, taking a difficult situation and make it comical. While most of his observations were of the outside world, he focused a great deal of time on himself, commenting on his poor health and unattractiveness as well as his own quirky behavior. His stage persona is nothing that can be defined.
There is nothing about Louis C.K.'s appearance that makes him stand out among comics. No leather jump suit, no black trench coat. On Saturday, he took the stage wearing his signature black t-shirt, black pants and sneakers. But what makes Louis C.K. a sensation and what made his act memorable at the Out Loud show is his unique look at everyday things, his willingness to push the envelope and most of all his indifference to how people receive him. Some people may say that Louis C.K. is not for them. But for those who appreciate his style, he is truly a master of his craft.