America's Funnyman

Last weekend we went to see Joel's favorite, Neil Hamburger, "America's Funnyman." Sure to offend many, we had lots of hearty chuckles. It's impossible to capture his hubristic and sadsack, washed-up comic persona in writing. Not to mention his completely reckless jokes. Best see him in person.

We were also delighted at the appearance of "The Commodore" -- a wacked out cohort of the band The Poontang Wranglers. The Commodore just read a bunch of blue jokes with horrible delivery and laughed the whole time. But with his mysterious accent and artful dodging of the pressure from the band to stop short, he charmed us.

After the show, we went backstage to snap a picture of a pregnant Bessie with Neil Hamburger. Joel and I had both separately decided it was necessary to document. I was especially happy that I got Mr. Hamburger to chuckle when I asked to get a picture with "the real father."