Even comedians have a serious side. It's just more comfortable for them to express it in a funny way.
Take James Uloth.
The Canadian comic created The Boob Tour three years ago as a way to honor his best friend's mom who died of breast cancer.
Proceeds from the tour, which comes to the Country Gentleman Event Center in Kennewick on June 24, go to the American Cancer Society.
"When I lost my best friend's mom to cancer, I wanted to do something to help out," Uloth told the Herald via email this week. "Originally, we started selling some patches and shirts after my normal tour shows to help raise funds for cancer. But it didn't amount to much, so I created this tour, and have raised in the neighborhood of $300,000 for many different cancer-fighting charities."
Joining Uloth for a night of silliness in the Tri-Cities will be Susan Rice of Portland and Gabriel Rutledge of Olympia.
"The comics on the show are amazing, and I'm very blessed to know comics who will hop onboard for these fundraising tours," Uloth said. "I'm always impressed at the level of show I can pull together by just asking for help. Lots of big hearts out there and one thing comics love doing most is making people laugh."
He says the show is not "squeaky clean," but it's not dirty and offensive.
"I tell people to watch some prime-time sitcoms like Two and a half Men," Uloth said. "That's about the level we set the show at. So, if that content is too much for anyone, then the show probably wouldn't appeal to you."
Uloth's sense of humor touches on characterizations that some critics describe as his mad ninja skills. He was a headliner at the Calgary Comedy Festival from 2007-10, and was voted the No. 1 comedian by MySpace.com in 2007.
Susan Rice has been making light of herself on the comedy circuit for more than 25 years.
Her humor is drawn from having a hilarious mother, she says on her website, but she also grew up watching the antics of Totie Fields, Victor Borge, Bill Cosby and Bob Newhart.
Gabriel Rutledge pokes fun at his years as a pizza delivery guy before he found comedy as a career a dozen years ago.
He is a past winner of the Seattle International Comedy Competition and has appeared on Comedy Central's Live at Gotham. He also is a frequent guest on the popular Bob and Tom Radio Show.
Rutledge confesses on his website that since taking comedy on as a career, he has made at least four audience members pee their pants. And when his wife and kids aren't around to overhear, he admits to listening to the album, Styx-Greatest Hits.
Uloth guarantees the humor will be far-fetched and entertaining.
"We do make it appeal to a wide demographic," he said.
That means any age, any gender and even timid folks looking for a laugh and a good time should drop by the event center at the Country Gentleman, 9221 W. Clearwater Ave., Kennewick.
Tickets are $30 each or $50 for couples, which includes dinner. Doors open at 6 p.m. Showtime is at 7 p.m. For tickets, call 783-1574 or 531-3338.
*Dori O'Neal: 582-1514; doneal@tricityherald.com
