He has driven racecars and ice-skated to glory. Santa Claus even adopted him. But can Will Ferrell survive stand-up comedy in front of an expectant sold-out crowd?
It has been hard to avoid the hype around Ferrell's movie career. This tour is a way to promote yet another of his movies, Semi-Pro, which is based on a character named Jackie Moon (played by Ferrell) who becomes rich and buys a basketball team.
"I feel like they're just using this as a gimmick," said Full Ammo Improv Troupe president Jeff Kornberg (senior-English).
However, many students said they are going to see Monday's sold-out show at the Bryce Jordan Center because of Ferrell's stardom.
"I'm mainly going to the show because I have never been close-up in person to a celebrity. I love his movies, also, and I'm anxious to see his stand-up," said president of the Comedy Night Club Will Lewis (sophomore-hotel, restaurant and institutional management).
Ferrell's Funny or Die tour takes him to the areas where most of his fans are centered: college campuses. The tour has already been to Kansas State University, Michigan State University and Ohio State University.
"He is so popular on college campuses because students can identify with him. He's like that guy on campus that isn't afraid to make an ass of himself. And most students enjoy watching him but would never have the balls to do it, so it's a sort of envy as well," said Scott Bruce, owner of Wise Crackers Comedy chain.
The show, according to Ferrell's Web site, will use a compilation of previous comedic exploits.
"Based on what I've seen of him in the past, I think his act will be a combination of observational humor, characters he creates and his wacky style. I think it will be off-beat and edgy," said Bruce, who promotes comedy nights throughout Pennsylvania and locally at Ramada Inn, 1450 S. Atherton St.
Ferrell has more than proven his comedic acting ability from the beginning. He has taken on many roles that go against the norm to create several unusual characters.
"Will Ferrell has a very different style than other actors and comedians in Hollywood," said Jonathan Cavallero, lecturer for the College of Communications. "He plays on his body type, and he finds places to makes movies with themes that have never been done before like NASCAR, news anchors, ice skaters. He exploits them and makes funny movies."
However, many wonder if Ferrell can handle the unscripted and often fast-paced world of stand-up comedy.
"I'm not familiar with his stand-up, and I'm concerned about how he's going to pull it off. It's one thing to be comedic in movies because you can always stop filming and retake a scene," Lewis said. "He better be damn good because if he's not as good as he is in films he's going to have a silent crowd, and that will be awkward."
Many of Ferrell's current fans are probably unaware of his work prior to his seven-year run on Saturday Night Live. Before his rise to fame on NBC's late-night favorite, he was part of the acting and improv group known as the Groundlings. This comedy troupe has molded other prominent comedians such as Kathy Griffin and Paul Reubens.
"I think Ferrell has been so successful because he is a naturally likeable guy," Bruce said. "He is very comfortable portraying the average man. He has a potbelly, and he isn't afraid to take off his shirt and show you. And he's most successful because he knows how to deliver a line comedically."
Despite all the attention focused on Ferrell, he's not the only act on the ticket. Demetri Martin, Nick Swardson and Zach Galifianakis are all performing with Ferrell and have plenty of experience and followers of their own.
"I'm more excited for the other three acts," Kornberg said.
Nick Swardson has been in films ranging from Benchwarmers to Art School Confidential.
"I've been a big fan of his since Grandma's Boy," said Garrett Bogden, Student Programming Association (SPA) entertainment chair. Bogden added that SPA encouraged the Bryce Jordan Center to book the Funny or Die tour while also coordinating lower student ticket prices for the event.
Martin was a guest on HBO's Flight of the Conchords and has appeared on Comedy Central.
Galifianakis has been in small but diversified roles in movies such as Heartbreakers, while also mouthing out the words to Fiona Apple's music video for her single "Not About Love."
While Ferrell's participation in the show has been greatly advertised, the other three comedians have their own equally important roles, as well.
"It's a compilation of different stand-up acts," Bogden said.
All of these different acts combined with their diverse comedic talents will aid the performance, Bogden said.
This collaboration may also display a different side of Ferrell and bring him back to his live comedy roots.
"I really have no predictions for his stand-up act," Cavallero said. "But that's what's fun with him. He is unpredictable."
