Black a hit at Comedy Night

LAUGHS Entertainers Michael Ian Black and Nathan Bargatze crack up UND.

Comedian Michael Ian Black performs for students Friday night in the Memorial Union Ballroom. Photo by Caitlin Duggan/The Dakota Student.

UND students were swept away by what seemed to be endless jokes Friday, as comedians Michael Ian Black and Nate Bargatze teamed up to headline Fall Comedy Night.

The event was sponsored by the University Program Council and UND Student Government held in the Memorial Union Ballroom.

Leading things off, Bargatze coaxed laughs with subjects ranging from New York City to playing on his church basketball team.

“I didn’t bring up anything about marriage in front of college students because no one is married here,” Bargatze said after the show. “Not because I do not think anyone would get it, but I try not to bring it up unless in front of true adult audience members.”

After a 30 minute, performance from Bargatze, Black followed up with personal jokes about his kids and his honeymoon.

That set preceded a line of soft jokes aimed at North Dakota and the absence of a write-up on the event on the UND website.

Black pulled up the UND site and listed off several other events given coverage before thanking students for digging deep to come to the event.

UND student Hollee Johnson said she had a good time and found that having a mixed group of performers was very exciting.

“Michael was exactly what I thought he would be like, and Nate was really funny,” she added.

Though she had never heard of Nate before, Johnson spoke highly of him.

“I like comedians like this, that are kind of known, but are not known on a national radar,” Johnson said.

Freshman Chad Brelie agreed that the event was fun and highlighted his favorite topics from the evening.

“I like the one about the doctor,” Brelie said. “I also liked the first comedian when he spoke about his father being a clown.”

While jokes were made about UND’s mascot or lack there of, Brelie thought nothing of it.

Freshman Autumn Clayton said the event was fun because she was able to get out and hang out with others.

She said the comedians were different than others because of the way they presented their material.

“The comedians were definitely bold,” Clayton said. “The ending was different than any other in how they are structured.”

Even Bargatze said he enjoyed the event and spoke highly of Black.

“It was amazing,” Bargatze said. “Anytime you get to perform for someone that has been around a long time, it’s great.

“Even to sit and listen to him like as a fan it’s just fun to see what he does.”

Bargatze said he hopes to continue performing for audiences of college students and those of the general public, in hopes of gaining following as Black has.

Matt McKay is a staff writer for The Dakota Student. He can be reached at [email protected]