San Francisco Comedy Competition Semi-Finals

The 46th annual San Francisco semi-finals competition was held at the Luther Burbank Theater in Santa Rosa last evening.  The competition has heralded in top comics in the past such as Ellen DeGeneres, Kevin Pollack, Dana Carvey, Dane Cook and of course, Robin Williams.  Last night crop of top comics have been whittled down from hundreds to the top ten standing.  There were several promising prospects in the group and thankfully, everyone garnered their share of laughter.   The host for the event was Tim Rose.  The bloom was off this Rose.  His jokes were lame and his intros all the same.   Last year's emcee  was the funniest part of the show.  Better this year, however, was the talent for all those who chose to pursue a fiscally unsound career being funny and making others laugh.  There could be no complaints for lack of diversity last night.  Three contestants were female comics, six black comedians and one self-proclaimed Arab, Joe Abousaka.  Santa Rose is known for having a homogenous, white demographic as apparent in the audience.  There was also an older, "adult" group present.  Being black in a mostly white area was fodder for the black comics.  These deliveries were quick with an ironic twist you didn't see coming.  White comics bemoaned white privilege problems; amusing at best.  And, Abousakher, the "Arab" comic, quipped about Palestinian persecution, Pfizer vaccines leading to sterility and raising a step-daughter from an early age.  His plaintive patter resonated with humility.  As for the women comics, I wish I had more to champion.  While all were likable, they were also forgettable.  The comics who came to the forefront were Mario Hodge, Rob Edwards and Chris Riggins.  Hodge was the elder statesman on the sets.  His enactment of being mugged by a deaf assailant was hilarious.  He also did physical humor falling down and a vocal rendition of today's rap v. 70s soul.  His routine was unique and he was having the most fun onstage.  I found his zaniness infectious.  The majority of comics had an angrier vibe that worked with their material.  Edwards routine using slurs was clever and biting.  Chris Riggins did a lot of sex and dick jokes,"You know what I'm saying."  Edwards possessed a polished persona.  His comfort in front of an audience bespoke a veteran.   Covid jokes ran rampant.  It felt great to be in an audience, laughing and celebrating without masks running interference.  The panel of judges made their top five picks; two of which were chicks.  My guy, Mario Hodge missed the cut.  The finalist which included Joe, Rob and Chris all showed comedic chops.  My pick for the winner to be named later this month from the final five would be Rob Edwards whose future in comedy shines a beacon ahead.