Rodney Carrington: His Audience Loves Him....

There is no arguing whatsoever that Rodney Carrington is a very funny guy. Even if you, personally, don't like his humor, millions of people do, so he cannot be accused of not being funny. But, in reviewing him at the MGM Grand's Hollywood Theatre, I had to suspend my general antipathy for what many people think of as "red state" wit. And, in so doing, I can tell you wholeheartedly that Carrington is, indeed, capable of making just about anyone laugh.

He begins with his terrific video take on the Isley Brothers joyous Shout!. His first remark is an anti-Obama jab that had his audience (with one exception) cheering. As he went on, he mostly stayed away from politics — with the exception of an "equal time" jab at Dubya — but did, rather unfortunately, pander to what one hates to believe is still his core audience's thinking by speaking of "colored" actors like "the kid from Webster," Gary Coleman and "the big guy from The Green Mile." Wasn't necessary. In  between those brief lapses, Carrington sang songs like Do You Wanna Do Something That Rhymes With Truck? and If I'm the Only One (a very rueful look at a cuckhold).

Carrington discusses church, marriage ("you play golf, you surrender, you tolerate"), children and, at great length, the lifestyle of Toby Keith, his collaborator on several projects.

His music, the last third of his act, featured piano accompaniment by Bob Hoban who should have stuck to playing and let Carrington handle the humor.

For a Red State type of act, Carrington is very, very blue. But if you can suspend any notion of political correctness (which can be overrated at times, anyway) it is very good. In fact, his website tells us that, "according to Pollstar, Rodney has been among the top ten grossing touring comedians for the last five years. He regularly performs to sold out crowds across the US and Canada." That probably has a lot to do with the fact that, in addition to being funny, Rodney Carrington comes across as a very nice guy who is well worth checking out if, for no other reason, than it's a fun reality check for non-believers. It's probably healthy to see and hear how other people think. And, I believe it would be lots of fun to just have a drink with him and talk. Not all our friends (including the one who accompanied me to see Carrington) agree with us, after all.

His opening act is a comic named Mark Ryan who seemed to be playing to the guys gathered in the high school boys room. It was all what my mother would have called "toilet talk" and should have been elevated a bit. He probably could be quite funny but his material let him down.

Carrington will be at the MGM Grand (www.mgmgrand.com/entertainment/hollywood-theater.aspx) through Wednesday and again December 3 through 10. You can sample his act at www.rodneycarrington.com.

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