Dads Weekend will begin Friday with a knee-slapping show by comedian Jeff Garlin.
Garlin is known for his roles as both co-star and producer of the HBO show Curb Your Enthusiasm. Garlin got his start with the improvisation troop Second City, which visited Ohio University earlier this semester.
“I didn’t decide to do stand up,” Garlin said. “I had to.”
Sydney Webb, a sophomore studying anthropology, will be working at the event. She said she is familiar with Garlin and that she has been watching Curb Your Enthusiasm for years.
“I am very excited to work this show,” she said. “Comedy shows are always a good time for the theater staff and the patrons that come.”
Webb said the show is expected to garner a sizeable crowd.
“I would guess anywhere between 900 and 1,300 people due to Dads Weekend,” Webb said. “Our Parents Weekend shows usually bring bigger crowds.”
Garlin has won many awards throughout his career, including a Golden Globe Award for Best Comedy and an AFI Comedy Series of the Year Award.
“I think it will be a fun night for both students and their dads. Our priority is to provide students with entertainment options during family weekends,” said Andrew Holzaepfel, associate director of the Campus Involvement Center. “The Jeff Garlin event is just one of many options for students this Dads Weekend.”
Garlin said he enjoys performing at university campuses because he enjoys the enthusiasm of the students. He added that he enjoys getting “free stuff, especially free pumpkins.”
“Comedy shows have always been a hit with not only the student population, but also the local community,” Webb said. “Last year, Aziz Ansari was a huge success and an extremely funny show. It’s a unique experience going to see a comedian perform rather than just a regular concert.”
Garlin said he wants the crowd Friday to leave his show saying, “I’m so happy we came,” “I’m a better person for having seen him,” and “I’m now motivated to change the world.”
Garlin has been performing stand up comedy for 30 years and said he enjoys ge
tting better all the time.
je726810@ohiou.edu
