Punchlines (LIE Magazine)
A show like this renews my faith in stand-up comedy. You can have a billing without a sitcom star or high-profile comic and still manage to have a nearly full room of enthusiastic show-goers. And a Saturday late show without hecklers.Headliner Johnny Lampert picked up where the others left off, but branched off into more diverse topics. While Johnny told the extremely receptive audience a whole lot about his current relationship, he covered everything from religious habits to classic rock radio sing-alongs with his parents. However, his absolute signature is the material about being "over 30" and living at home with his parents. Along with that comes stellar banter about him having nothing to do in the time he's not on-stage.
All in all, Johnny is a rarity in stand-up comedy by not only having great material, but also top notch delivery. If you want to get technical, he creates some form of a rare trifecta by also being likable with every-man qualities to him. Exemplifying that, he was out in the crowd meeting and greeting just a few minutes after he finished his 45+ minute set—without a CD or any form of product to push. Everybody seems to think that they should have a sitcom, or that thelr life would be perfect for a television show's subject; reaiity is that Johnny Lampert ought to have one. A weekly half hour show centered around a college-educated underachiever still living with his parents, and proud of it? I don't watch a lot of television, but I'd sure watch that. And see Johnny Lampert at his next area appearance.
-Darren Paltrowitz