Steve Martin and David Cross present a contrast in styles at Global Comedy Fest Q & A

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      David Cross
      At the Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts on Sunday, September 27

      Steve Martin
      At the Orpheum Theatre on Sunday, September 27

      Watching two comedic masters sit and answer questions in a large theatre doesn’t sound like a whole lot of fun. But both Steve Martin and David Cross proved that they can get laughs in any situation.

      On the last day of the Global Comedy Fest, both artists took part in a moderated discussion, Martin at the Orpheum and Cross earlier in the day at the Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts.

      While Martin’s tickets went for upwards of $100, Cross expressed shock that anyone had to pay anything to see him read from his new book, I Drink for a Reason, and answer questions. So to make it up to the crowd, everyone in attendance was offered a free copy of the tome. No such giveaways by the multimillionaire Martin.

      But both gentlemen were willing and warm interview subjects, and we learned, for example, that Martin, as a standup comic, eliminated punchlines from his act to democratize the process, giving people the freedom to laugh where they felt like it, and he first felt truly respected with the success of the B.C.–shot Roxanne. And that Cross chose to go the humorous-essay route because he doesn’t have the kind of ego to do a memoir at the tender age of 45, and he won’t miss George W. Bush (for selfish comedic reasons), so long as there’s a Christian America to give him an endless supply of material.

      The two events were a contrast in styles, too. Martin’s moderator was an interested and serious, but slightly nervous, it seemed, George Stroumboulopoulos, who has had years of experience interviewing celebrities. While the two didn’t have an obvious rapport, Martin is professional enough to turn any question into an entertaining and/or informative answer. Cross was met with his former writer on Mr. Show, Scott Aukerman, who was beautifully understated but hilarious in his own right, knowing exactly when to slip in a little dig (he prefaced one question with “I have not read the book. Nor do I intend to”¦”), but still allowing Cross to be the star. Their long relationship made for a more entertaining 90 minutes.

      Aukerman also chose to limit the questions from the audience, which is always a wise move. Granted, much of the time was taken by Cross reading two of his essays (both really funny), but only 10 queries came from the crowd, including the insightful meta-query, “Why do the Q & A? It’s always really terrible.” A staggering 23 (often insane) questions, though, flew at Martin from his audience, including the frightening “Would you like to die on-stage?”

      Democracy may be a decent political system, and it might very well work for absurdist comedy routines, too, but it sucks at these types of shows.

      Comments

      13 Comments

      JeffVassupJagshemash

      Sep 30, 2009 at 12:30pm

      I went to David Cross and he was great. However, I was disappointed it wasn't him doing stand up, considering after Ticketmaster's lame service charges it came to $34 each, for a book reading. I filled out the form they gave us with my address, so I hope the free book part turns out to be true!

      Tracy Toye

      Nov 7, 2009 at 5:11pm

      Did you ever get your free book? We didn't.

      Stu

      Dec 4, 2009 at 11:14am

      It’s December and I haven't gotten my book. After this experience I have zero interest in going to the Global Comedy Fest event and will actively discourage my friends from going. The Ticketmaster webpage should have clearly said it was a book reading, this was a scam through and through.

      Guy

      Dec 4, 2009 at 11:33am

      I still haven't gotten mine, either. But I do remember the ads specifically stating it was a book reading. Not sure what it said on Ticketmaster, but surely you heard about the show somewhere else first, no? All the info I had was that it was a reading. (I'll ask about the book and post back here what I learn.)

      S_Palmer

      Dec 29, 2009 at 8:09pm

      My girlfriend and I still havent gotten our books yet either...

      Fan

      Jan 19, 2010 at 3:56pm

      No book for us either. My wife and I both went along with some friends and we haven't received squat :(

      Stephanie148

      Apr 9, 2010 at 8:20pm

      Still haven't received my book either. I sent an email to Cross's website about it, but never got a response.

      Nolan

      May 11, 2010 at 10:32pm

      I just received my book today. I had completely forgotten about this.

      Guy

      May 12, 2010 at 12:23am

      I got mine, too. It's pretty good so far, too. I can't imagine how much it costs the festival to mail out 1050 of these books, as well as giving a pair of tickets to the festival to each of the 1050. But at least they were good on their word.

      Derik

      Jun 21, 2010 at 2:12pm

      I finally got my book as-well. That and the tickets to this years event are nice, but it still doesn't make up for the Huge disappointment of buying tickets for a comedy show and seeing a book reading instead.

      I definitely will not be supporting this years event (or using the free tickets). DOWN WITH GLOBAL COMEDY FEST 2010