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Brad Upton On Tour
Having surpassed 6,000 performances in a four-decade career, Brad Upton was already one of the comedy world's most seasoned pros when something unexpected happened: at the age of 62, he became a viral sensation. In June of 2018, Dry Bar Comedy posted a Facebook video of Upton presenting his wry take on millennials. "You ever take a smartphone away from a twenty-something?" he asked in one typically acerbic observation. "They don't know what to do — they look like they got hit with a shovel."
The video attracted 36 million views in 10 days, and many million more after that. It amounted to a well-deserved breakthrough for a comedian whose caustic but (mostly) clean style has made him a firm favorite with audiences. In addition to appearing with such entertainment legends as Smokey Robinson, Dolly Parton, and the late Joan Rivers, Upton has been a regular opening act for the Smothers Brothers and Johnny Mathis. A past winner of the Las Vegas Comedy Festival, he's played all over North America and the globe, from Pakistan to Singapore and Hong Kong. He's made appearances on A&E, MTV, and Showtime, written for ESPN3.com, acted in movies, and been a regular guest on National Public Radio.
Whether live or in one of his many media appearances, Upton combines a likeable onstage persona with a rather cantankerous take on work, parenthood, marriage, and anything else that gets him fired up. Sharply observed but never cruel, his sensibility evokes such comedy heroes as Robert Schimmel and George Carlin. Indeed, seeing the latter onstage when he was a 15-year-old in Seattle had a profound influence on Upton, who originally became a teacher before deciding to try his luck as a performer. As he quips, "I was teaching 4th graders in Pasco — entertaining a roomful of drunks isn't a big career change."
More of Upton's comedy can be heard on his recent release Brad Uptonogood and his first DVD, Brad Upton, Live from the 509. And whatever his feelings for those millennials, they're very much part of the audience for a rare kind of comedian, one who has — in the words of the Seattle Times — "mastered the nearly impossible task of appealing to people from the ages of 18 to 80."
A few of his bits were funny, but the majority of his show was the same as the YouTube video that covered much of his shows previously. A few new jokes were thrown in at the Thousand Oaks show, but it was mostly the same material. Not to say he isn't clever and funny, but I was expecting to hear new material.
Brad killed it! His style is what we’ve been missing for years: story-telling with a punchline, commenting on the obvious and laughing at it, making fun of himself…refreshing to not have to listen to vulgarities and put-downs of others!
Brad was very funny. His material was extremely relatable to my wife and I and we laugh continuously.
My wife and I saw Brad about a year ago in Manchester CT. Friday at The MGM Springfield Mass show we brought along our son and daughter. And again ,tears rolling down your face laughter. My cheeks hurt by the end of the show. Our favorite comedian to date.
Extremely funny, I would definitely buy tickets for him again
Myself, my husband and another couple drove from Troy, NY to see Brad. Worth the trip. He was very funny. If someone is easily offended, he is not a comedian they should see. I will go see him again, if he comes to Albany or Saratoga NY.
We really enjoyed the show. The venue was relaxed and Brad Upton was very entertaining!
Both comedians were great. Did not get the name of the first guy who I really enjoyed. Brad went nonstop for an hour plus, and was very entertaining.
Really good opening act with Ryan. Brad is always funny. Best bits were the nicknames and how they got them
Brad Upton was absolutely hysterical. After a brief warm-up act, Brad did about 80 minutes straight of 5-star comedy. It was SO refreshing to hear terrific comedy without the use of vulgar language or crude references. He was able to gear some of the routine to area/regional topics that were spot-on. Highly recommended!
