COLUMBIA — Comedian D.L. Hughley opened his routine Wednesday night at Jesse Hall by saying, “I left more people in my hotel room.”
Despite what the “King of Comedy” considered a small audience, the crowd’s laughter indicated the show was a success.
Hughley has a growing fan base, thanks to his appearances on TV shows and comedy specials — most recently his HBO special “Unapologetic.” Other appearances include his sitcom “The Hughleys” and last fall’s “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.”
A member of the Missouri Student Association, which hosted the program, kicked off the show by introducing Malik S., Hughley’s opening act. To get the audience warmed up, Malik S. told college-themed jokes.
His routine included gags about the MU football team and pranking new freshmen on campus.
After finishing, Malik S. introduced Hughley, who got a standing ovation. After describing the scenery around Columbia as nothing but “corn and cows,” Hughley began his routine.
Most of his jokes were based on celebrities and current events, and included bits about O.J. Simpson, Ellen DeGeneres, and the possibility of the country soon being run by a black president.
To end the night, Hughley had the stage crew turn on the house lights. He then turned on his wit to poke fun at the front rows of the audience. After Hughley had his fun with the audience, Malik S. returned to thank the audience and close out the night.