NYCF: Word Association with Tracy Morgan
Harlem's historic Apollo Theater was packed so tight Saturday night, even Tracy Morgan's agent couldn't get a seat in the house, much less a blogger with a Comedy Central badge. However, the staff was gracious enough to let us catch the show from the wings and hang out in the green room. I could tell it was going to be a hot show after passing Sommore and New Edition/Bell Biv DeVoe's Michael Bivins.
Contrary to impressions of Tracy's unpredictable behavior, the headliner was on time and supremely composed. I've rarely seen a performer so calm before stepping on stage. The room had a joyous energy, still shaking off the cobwebs from the Obama victory party. Tracy was in rare form, holding court for more than an hour and a half with classic blue material, musical impressions (the best Michael McDonald outside of Rick Moranis) and superhero riffs. Favorite opening to a bit: "I'm a pervert. All I do is go to the supermarket and watch grown women shop for cucumbers."
Here's what I've learned:
1. Tracy Morgan is the undisputed master of simulating male genitalia with a microphone.
2. His ability to discuss recent DUI arrests and marital problems created a bond with the audience that was neither sentimental nor ironically detached.
3. Do not attempt to heckle a man at the top of his game when he's just talked about his DUIs and martial problems.
Afterward, Tracy was as buoyant as a national spelling bee champ. "The spirit of Richard Pryor was moving me! Bernie Mac was there with me. Richard Pryor. Lucille Ball!"
We sat down for a quick interview:
CC Insider: Instead of questions, all I have is word association.
Tracy Morgan: Alright. Let's do it.
CCI: Giblets.
TM: What's that?
CCI: Like little pieces of meat. (ed. – "the heart, liver, gizzard, and the like, of a fowl, often cooked separately" Random House Unabridged Dictionary)
TM: Gizzards. Hot sauce.
CCI: Nemesis.
TM: Haters. Nemesis? Not funny people.
CCI: Genesis.
TM: The beginning.
CCI: Prowess.
TM: Me. Before a show.
CCI: Forbidden Love.
TM: Me and her (pointing to Comedy Central's Joanna Farah). Before a show.
CCI: Rocket.
TM: That's how I feel.
CCI: Lobster Boy.
TM: Gross, but never put his hands on me.
CCI: Fu Schnickens.
TM: De la schmoove, ain't got nothin' to proove.
CCI: Adult diapers.
TM: Gross. Kill me before that happens.
CCI: Foie gras.
TM: Who?
CCI: Goose liver pate? You know what that is?
TM: Never tried it. White people food. French food.
CCI: Sacramento.
TM: Doesn't exist.
CCI: Crusts.
TM: Crusts? Not in your drawers.
CCI: Ninjas.
TM: Me during sex.
CCI: Belly.
TM: Pregnant. Fights.
CCI: Dotcom.
TM: Primitive.
CCI: Lorne Michaels.
TM: Obi-wan Kenobi.
CCI: Peanut Butter.
TM: Not good without jelly.
CCI: Freeze.
TM: Warm.
CCI: Rock.
TM: Rap.
CCI: Waffles.
TM: Pancakes.
CCI: Vampires.
TM: Pimps.
CCI: Christmas.
TM: Never came for me.
CCI: Quincy Jones.
TM: Michael Jackson.
CCI: Dirty.
TM: Clean?
CCI: Michelle Obama.
TM: My baby's mother.
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