HSR SMORGASBORD

The HSR Smorgasbord covers topics beyond just music and fashion. From live reviews to book breakdowns, in this section, I want to share what I find interesting, entertaining, and thought-provoking right now.

Josh Johnson Live Comedy at Vicar St, Dublin

“Oh, thank you, great to meet you”, Josh replies as I say hello and mention watching his weekly YouTube sets.” I appreciate that, thank you for coming”. He places his hand on his chest as he speaks, flashing his signature grin,  his eyes filled with sincerity. A line of roughly 60 people is forming now. A cheeky mention of the website and this review earns an enthusiastic,” Oh, wow, thank you!”' I encourage him to enjoy the remainder of his time in the city, which is short, as he is headed to Brussels in less than 24 hours, according to his social media schedule. “See you next time”, Josh says as we turn to leave.

The impromptu meet-and-greet is the perfect conclusion to an evening of solid entertainment, which kicked off with the wildly funny David O'Doherty. His brand of self-deprecating Dublin wit resonates with a crowd that's so diverse it's hard to pin down. Proving good comedy transcends demographics, the room is packed tight with everyone from fresh-faced Gen Zers, headphones thrown around their shoulders, to date night couples savouring having a babysitter, and every cohort in between. “Its fucking Monday, what are you all doing here? Doherty playfully shouts. His mix of musical comedy, performed courtesy of the tiny Casio keyboard on his lap, and his stream of relatable humor keep the laughter flowing. From his joke about almost being hit by the Ghost Bus, a quirky local tourist attraction, to his take on one-hundred-year-old whiskey distilleries popping up on every street corner, not to mention a hilarious historical little ditty. Every joke lands with the energetic crowd.

After a brief intermission, Josh strolls onto the stage in typically humble style. The audience erupts, rising to their feet before Johnson even utters a word. He surveys the room, his expression a mix of appreciation and slight bewilderment as if he’s not quite sure this reception is for him. Finally, he pauses and says, “cool.” For the following 70 or so minutes, Josh brings us into his orbit, seamlessly blending everyday scenarios and incisive political and social commentary. “I arrived today and I tried to learn as much as I could”, Johnson says before launching into a clever riff on disgraced MMA fighter and general pariah Conor McGregor, quipping that he didn't know mixing steroids and drugs could create “an extra strength crack head”.  Elsewhere, the chaos that is U.S politics prompts Josh to ask for advice on how to remove “Captain America” from office, an allusion to Ireland’s fight for independence, which garners loud cheers from the crowd. Award-winner Johnson’s experience as a correspondent with The Daily Show shines through in his ability to unearth the comedic absurdity in current affairs. The hideous extravagance of the Bezos' wedding is ideal fodder for Johnson’s sharp dissection, with the comedian biting, “the only way to become an ethical millionaire is to divorce one.”