There are comedians who do expected jokes. They set up an observational joke about something mundane, and then they add a punchline. It’s all very expected, and follows a formula that has been done time and time again. And then there are comedians like Kyle Dunnigan. I had the joy of seeing his anomalous and indelible show last week at Turner Hall.
First, let's talk about his opener. Geoffrey Asmus is a Wisconsin comedian who I have reviewed before. Asmus delivers absurd, hilarious, and painfully awkward material with flawless, off-kilter precision. He is an idiosyncratic comedian, and one that you should seek out and see. I enjoy his set every time I see him, and can’t wait to see him again.
Back to Kyle Dunnigan. You might know Dunnigan from a few different sources. He played Craig on Reno 911, and actually did a short set as Craig at the show, which was highly entertaining and incredibly bizzare. He also has performed on various skits on the very funny Inside Amy Schumer, and co-hosts the podcast Professor Blastoff with Tig Notaro.
Dunnigan seems most comfortable in setting up what you assume are going to be typical jokes, and then tilting the whole thing on it’s head. He told a very funny joke about having to defend a female friend in a bar, that ended in him taking a rape prevention class to protect himself. He takes what should be a very serious issue, and puts just enough absurdity to make it funny.
Stay on top of the news of the day
Subscribe to our free, daily e-newsletter to get Milwaukee's latest local news, restaurants, music, arts and entertainment and events delivered right to your inbox every weekday, plus a bonus Week in Review email on Saturdays.
Dunnigan also is incredibly skilled at taking mundane ideas and making them absurd and funny. My favorite bit of the evening was a story about him forgetting to close the door at his apartment, and how that mistake resulted in the police being called, and his refusal to look like a slob, so he claimed that his apartment must have been broken into with the supposed burglars simply messing it up. Dunnigan is definitely a comedian on the periphery of “typical” club humor. I really appreciate his sort of work, and hope to see more of him in the future.
Knockout of the Week
This week’s Knockout goes to the legend Emo Phillips, doing one of my favorite of his bits. Philips is probably most famous for his use of paraprosdokians and garden path sentences. Enjoy!
