Rory Scovel

One of my favorite late-night standup appearances was seven years ago on Conan. Yeah, I still remember it. To introduce it, Conan flatly tells the camera that the show made a mistake and they accidentally double-booked the comedians for the night. So he brings out two comics, Rory Scovel and Jon Dore, and they have two mics set up, so they each do their best five minutes simultaneously. You can’t understand a damn thing either is saying and the absurdity of the whole thing just cracks me up in a very special way. And that was seven years ago! Since then, that demented thread of absurdity has weaved its way through Scovel’s career, one where he’s built up an impressive résumé as an actor in film and TV, made some notable podcast appearances, and risen to be one of the funniest and most prolific standup comedians in the whole country (that’s technically my opinion, but I really think I’m right).

His latest special debuted just a few months ago on Netflix and it’s called Rory Scovel Tries Standup For The First Time, which had a lot of critics saying nice things. The A.V. Club said, “Scovel is such an energetic, infectiously curious comedian that his setups and punchlines feel like a kid playing with something shiny for the first time, all genuine wide-eyed wonder.” That’s pretty nice, right? Anyway, it always feels cool when performers of a certain level make it a point to do a show in Eau Claire, and Rory Scovel is one in a million, so this is not one to miss.

Clear Water Comedy presents: Rory Scovel • Jan. 23 • Doors 7pm, Show 8pm • The Plus, 208 S. Barstow St., Eau Claire • All Ages (18+ recommended) • $20 • Tickets available at The Plus or at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3181481•