Hello Friend – an evening with Bill Cosby

By: Antonica Welvaert, VBnightlife.com correspondent

Over the past century, few entertainers have achieved the legendary status of Bill Cosby. So when I had the opportunity to see him live in Norfolk I jumped at the chance. His successful career has spanned five decades so what you remember most about him may very well depend on your age. He is known widely for the Cosby show, a successful stand-up act which began in the 1960’s, a string of best-selling comedy albums (with 5 gold records), The “I Spy” television show as well as various movies and books.

Sitting in Norfolk’s fantastic Chrysler Hall, I was struck by the wide age demographic in the audience. Few entertainers today have such a broad appeal. He saunters onto the stage, takes a seat and is met by wild applause. All he needs do is flash that signature smile and again another roar of laughter. What Cosby offers is comedy in its purest form, stand-up drawn from simple life experiences. There are no ties to current events, pop-culture or age appropriateness. Talk of marriage, parenting, aging, Thanksgiving dinners and the origins of turkey bacon are all delivered in that Cosby way. He speaks in a conversational tone with broad facial expressions, sound effects and deliberate pauses to look at and connect with the audience. It’s clearly not all scripted as he teases the camera crew and gives a quick witted remark on a random loud noise that appears out of no where. He ends the show with his hysterical story on a visit to the dentist.

It occurs to me that perhaps entire generations haven’t heard his bit on the chicken heart (time to start spreading that Jello all over the floor) or chocolate cake for breakfast (“Dad is great, give us the chocolate cake!”). In an era of shock value comedians and South Park humor its nice to revisit someone who is just pure funny.

Originally posted to the Pilotonline Photo Blogging by David Adam Beloff