Backstage with Bruce Bruce

By Temika Bobbitt
Staff Writer

He had us laughing out of our seats and some of us falling on the floor. With his second appearance at UNCP, funny man Bruce Bruce made Homecoming 2004 memorable to students and the local community.

Originally representing Atlanta, GA and hitting the stage in 1991 Bruce Bruce has definitely made a name for himself. After being featured at Black Film Festival in Acapulco, Just for laughs Festival in Montreal, Laffapalooza Festival in Atlanta, GA, and his own half hour appearance on Comedy Central Present’s, he has become a household name.

Bruce Bruce was more than happy to return back to the university. After speaking with the comedian he mentions that unlike other universities and audiences UNCP listens and pays attention, usually other universities just want him to embarrass members of the audience, a laugh at someone else’s expense. Although on Saturday Bruce Bruce did have a thing or two about particular members of the audience, but he kept it all fun and games. He was a very happy and laid back man with continuing jokes even backstage.

While using profanity and bringing up race Bruce Bruce says he never changes his style for anyone, funny is funny. He never means for his show to be offensive to anyone and that comedy isn’t racial. And like everyone else’s opinion on the Super Bowl half time show Bruce Bruce had one too, “There was too much emphasis on it, it was just like Britney and Madonna, I think she did it to take the heat off of her brother.” He mentions that he would love to come back to the school next year for homecoming.

And just before I was about to walk out of the GPAC I ran into Bruce Bruce’s up and coming opening act Kevin Hart. This was Hart’s first time at the university. He was happier than a kid at the candy store. While plugging his new sitcom “The Big House” on ABC on the university’s television station WNCP and his half hour comedy show on Comedy Central he continued to keep us laughing. Hart also helped enjoy the homecoming festivities and was spotted at the after party.