Comic Carrot Top bringing inventions, props to local stage

By DAVID ARCHER
Collegian Staff Writer

The only thing Carrot Top has to worry about is losing his luggage.

At 8 p.m. today in Eisenhower Auditorium, the infamous prop comic brings his "Psychedelic Circus Tour" to Penn State.

The performance is sponsored by the Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are $20 for students and $24 for general admission.

Carrot Top, whose real name is Scott Thompson, is known for his wild red hair and use of crazy props and inventions during his stand-up routine.

Some of his props include a jacket with spikes on the shoulders to wear on an airplane so no one will fall asleep on his shoulder and a microphone that bleeps out obscenities for use on "The Jerry Springer Show."

This routine has made him a hit on college campuses around the country.

The comedian grew up in Cocoa Beach, Fla., and attended Florida Atlantic University.

During his sophomore year, he began his career in comedy with a trunk full of props at an open mic night. Since then, he has been touring the country, selling out shows at colleges and in clubs.

He has appeared on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" and "Politically Incorrect."

According to his official World Wide Web site (www.carrottop.com), Carrot Top lists his comedic influences as George Carlin, Jonathan Winters and Robin Williams.

Last March, the comedian starred in his first feature film, Chairman of the Board.

It was easy for Carrot Top to get into character for the film -- he played an inventor who created several crazy contraptions, including a "butt fanny pack."

Several of the comedian's inventions were used in the film.

Carrot Top also has written a book, Carrot Top's Junk in the Trunk: Some Assembly Required.

The comedian has won several awards, including the 1994 American Comedy Award for Best Stand-Up Comic, and the 1995 American Comedy Award for Comic of the Year.

For ticket or other information, call the Arts Ticket Center at (814) 863-0255 or (800) 278-7849.