New York comedians Brett Anderson and Alexandra McHale invited students to Laugh Out Loud on Saturday, but drew a mixed response from students packed into BU Central for the second night of the semester-long LOL Comedy Series.
Anderson opened with a barrage of jokes on stereotypical male college life, receiving a lukewarm reception from the crowd.
College of Arts and Sciences junior Ruju Rai said Anderson “was a little standoffish.”
But the audience warmed to McHale, who drew from her experiences while on tour and her own college life. The audience burst with laughter as she recounted drunken mishaps and commented on college slang and pop culture. Audience members said her ability to converse with the crowd and her use of improvisation made her routine seem fresh and natural.
Rai said McHale “was more lively,” a sentiment echoed by other students.
“I liked that she talked about the different phrases Bostonians use,” CAS junior Ashley Stephens said.
McHale made her network television debut on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and is most recognized for her work on Comedy Central’s Premium Blend and popular VH1 series I Love the 80’s, Supersecret TV Formulas and The 100 Most Cheesetastic Video Countdown. BU Central contacted McHale’s agent after seeing her perform at the National Association for Campus Activities, BU Central Manager Allie Flauter said.
McHale said BU Central had “a lighter atmosphere then at nightclubs” because of the “young and hip” college crowd.
She said she had found college students share a common experience across the country,.
“Everyone’s going through the same thing,” McHale said after the event in an interview. “I try to use universal collegiate themes in my routine.”
Anderson and McHale’s performances, along with Friday night performances by The Walsh Brothers and Rob O’Reilly, a BU alum and Daily Free Press columnist, made the opening weekend of the LOL Comedy Series a success, according to Flauter, who cited the large turnout as proof.
“We had 220 students last night and tonight,” the College of Communication senior said.
Students endorsed the events, encouraging other students to attend.
“I’ve come to the comedy series shows before,” CAS junior Kendra Kobrin said. “I saw Rob O’Reilly, too.”
Kobrin said she was excited about BU Central’s BU’s Funniest Student Competition.
“People definitely should come,” she said.