D.L. Hughley — one of the Kings of Comedy — will perform in the Lenhart Grand Ballroom on Jan. 30 at 8 p.m.
Hughley was one of four comedians that performed on the Original Kings of Comedy tour in 1999, which became the highest grossing comedy tour ever, earning $37 million. It also inspired a Spike Lee documentary by the same name, making $40 million more.
Tickets for the event — organized by the University Activities Organization — are expected to sell out, according to UAO President Jordan Ohler.
Though UAO’s previous comedy show last spring featuring Dave Chappelle set a high standard for ticket sales, Ohler anticipates Hughley’s show will do just as well.
“We sold out in four hours (for Chappelle’s show),” he said. “I’m expecting at least that this time.”
Hughley’s act is worthy of high ticket sales, Ohler said.
“The guy’s just downright funny,” he said, citing Hughley’s Kings of Comedy act. “I remember laughing pretty hard.”
But Hughley isn’t just a Comedy King. He also stars in “The Hughleys” on UPN.
Hughley’s television status helped UAO select him over other comedians, including Wanda Sykes, The Amazing Johnathan and Saturday Night Live’s Darryl Hammond.
“We went through a list of 15 to 20 comedians,” Stahl said. “But (Hughley’s) got a show right now, and it’s pretty popular.”
Despite his success, he was affordable compared to the other Kings of Comedy — Steve Harvey, Bernie Mac and Cedric the Entertainer. Hughley’s affordability will benifit students. At $8 each, tickets are less expensive than those sold for UAO’s previous three comedy shows.
Students will be paying to see a comedian they can relate to, according to Josh Stahl, coordinator of the show. But his style might not be for everyone.
“He can get a little raunchy,” Stahl said. “But he’s not too juvenile.”
Though Hughley’s style might offend some, comedians naturally appeal to a broad range of people when compared to music acts, according to Ohler.
“Music is hard because everyone has different tastes,” he said. “But everyone pretty much laughs at the same things.”
The organization isn’t abandoning music acts — they plan to book one for Anderson Arena later this semester.
UAO hasn’t picked a genre for that music just yet.
The group is currently surveying student opinion on country, punk and mainstream groups, including Diamond Rio, Lonestar, New Found Glory, the Goo Goo Dolls and others.
UAO has plans to do more than book musicians and comedians this year, according to Ohler. They are planning a few smaller, more unusual events later this semester.
“They will be interesting and very different,” Ohler said.
Tickets to see Hughley go on sale to University students Jan. 23 at 9 p.m. in the Union ballroom. Remaining tickets will be available to the public the next morning at 11 a.m.
Tickets cost $8 with a student ID and $10 without one. They will be limited to two per person. Doors open at 7 p.m.
