The Sunday Morning “Nobody-Asked-Me-To, But-Here-I-Go-Anyway” Concert Review: Bob Newhart.

Well, here’s the entire, single solitary reason we made the trip to Atlantic City. A chance to see the legendary Bob Newhart, live and in his element – performing stand-up to an adoring audience. If the Music Box Theater in the Borgata Hotel wasn’t entirely sold out, it was darn close. An all-ages affair, even attracting the stand-ups that perform in there throughout the week.

Let’s just preface this by saying that I used to listen to Mr. Newhart on the radio, back when the only things worth listening to were Hockey Night In Canada broadcasts, and the odd track from one of his iconic “Button Down Mind” albums. His routine about the U.S.S. Codfish, and Sir Walter Raleigh introducing tobacco to the Americas just slayed me, even as a pimply youngster. Over the years, I loved his two hit TV series, and innumerable guest spots on everything from Dean Martin’s show, to Carson’s Tonight Show. Huge fan- as is Mrs. That Dan Guy, just maybe not going back quite as far as myself, being the young whippersnapper that she is, compared to me.

The show exceeded expectations. Performing his trademark observational humour interspersed with snippets of some classic bits (the one-eyed bullfighter, flying “happy” airlines), Newhart lampooned televangelists, football fans, country music fans (we winced a few times there…), and even modern wedding songs (cross LL Cool J’s song about big butts off your list of possible options…).

The picture I loaded late last night (in error – it was actually almost 2 AM when I wrote this post – damned cursed Windows computers…) was from an updated version of his driving instructor bit – totally hilarious to see live.

Mr. Newhart even added in some video clips from his lengthy career, before he left the stage, to return for a short encore.

Making the whole night mesh was opening act Gene Ferrari – an old-time powerhouse vocalist with just a hint of Humperdinck in his styling – Humperdinck on steroids. As you might suspect from his name, he was tres Italiano – hey, that’s not a bad stage name – Tres Italiano!!

An awesome night of entertainment – well worth the trek to get out here…

Chow for now!!