Press release from The Grey Eagle:
Asheville, NC: One of stand-up comedy’s all time greats, Emo Philips, will perform in Asheville at The Grey Eagle on Saturday, October 7th.
Described by Jay Leno as “the best joke writer in America,” by British comedian Gary Delaney as the best joke writer in the world, and by “Weird Al” Yankovic as one of the funniest people on the planet, Emo Philips has performed over 6000 times throughout the English-speaking world, including a multi-week run at the Playhouse Theater in London’s West End.
Since starting out in Chicago in 1976 at the age of twenty, Emo has had award-winning comedy albums, several cable specials (including an hour-long one on HBO), and many appearances on network television, both in America and in the UK.
He has appeared in films (most notably, as the table-saw demonstrator in UHF) and has lent his distinctive voice to animated TV shows (such as Slacker Cats, Doctor Katz, Adventure Time, and Home Movies), but his first love, stand-up, remains his true one.
“I’m not sure exactly when or where I first heard one of Emo’s routines, but once I did I instantly became a fan,” says “Weird Al” Yankovic. “Emo had the iconic look of somebody who could have been a major star in the era of silent films. His body language was indescribably weird. And his material was flat-out brilliant.” If asked at gunpoint who the funniest guy in the world was, Yankovic adds, “Without question I would have to say Emo Philips — especially if Emo happened to be the one holding the gun.”
— “Weird Al” Yankovic, quoted in CHICAGO MAGAZINEEmo Philips is admittedly a bit cuckoo, but he’s the king of that stand-up staple, the one-liner.
— Katie Johnston Chase, BOSTON GLOBEIf you’re under 30 and never listened to Emo Philips because of his goofy album covers or because everyone else was into Eddie Murphy, you’re missing out. Seeing Philips is on par with watching one of the great comedy standards live; from Jay Leno returning to form outside of his Tonight Show confines in Hermosa Beach to Steve Martin taking the stage with his singing “balls.”
— Anthony D’Allesandro, LA WEEKLYCOMEDIAN EMO PHILIPS – FUNNY BUSINESS @ THE GREY EAGLE
Saturday, October 7th @ 7:00pm & 9:30pm
$18 advance / $21 at the door
Tickets @ thegreyeagle.com/search/?q=emoBuying tickets in advance is highly-recommended. Parking is available at the Grey Eagle’s parking lot and on Clingman Ave. and Haywood Road. The Grey Eagle offers full bar service, and food is available inside the club at The Grey Eagle Taqueria.thegreyeagle.com/
About Funny Business at The Grey Eagle: Funny Business at the Grey Eagle brings live, nationally-recognized stand-up comedians to Asheville on a regular basis. The Grey Eagle offers full bar service, food and a selection of Asheville’s locally-made craft beers.
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