H Jon Benjamin’s comedic voice stands above

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Larry Murphy (left) and H Jon Benjamin (right) performed at McAlister Auditorium Wednesday March 22.

The voice of international super spy Sterling Archer, burger man Bob Belcher and a can of mixed vegetables, H. Jon Benjamin performed March 22 in McAlister Auditorium and brought new material which was different from any of those characters.

Benjamin talked to Tulane about his favorite sex shop, father-son bonding through ecstasy, smooth jazz and how much he hated two “douchebags” in the front row. Fellow “Bob’s Burger’s” cast member Larry Murphy was a brilliant opener for the show.

Tulane University Campus Programming, which hosted the event, introduced Murphy as a first-time comedian, who stammered, sighed and shivered his character to life. His delivery of nontraditional jokes was mixed with the ramblings of some other comedians’ jokes. He also dealt with some audience members, who when asked what their major was said “business-y things.”

Benjamin then took the stage and continued to deal with the questionably sober audience members Murphy teased. After shouting “Archer” at Benjamin 10 times, he finally responded by grilling them on their behavior, tank tops and consumption of vodka. Needless to say, they did Tulane proud.

After ribbing the audience member’s enough that they left, Benjamin launched into a discussion of his favorite dildo, the accommodator from his favorite Manhattan sex shop. He showed a brief video of it in action, strapped firmly to his chin, as he and his wife got into a yelling match.

Benjamin then gave a PowerPoint presentation about his son’s ninth birthday where he and his son took psychedelics together. Despite Benjamin’s bad trip ending in him naked covered in mud, his son looked like he had a great time. He then read us his nine-year-old’s texts in a hysterical invasion of privacy.

He ended with a slightly unusual jazz piece, accompanied by a Tulane band, at the keyboard titled, “I should’ve learned to play the piano.” The title was delightfully accurate.

Benjamin’s self-deprecating style and deadpan delivery are what brings his droll material to life. He engaged his audience the way you’d expect a 50-year-old father might and never let the crowd off the hook. Nothing got more cheers than his criticisms of the audience, finally voicing what everyone in attendance was thinking.

Creating such a strong set while recording two critically acclaimed animated series is a feat only a man of Benjamin’s level and professionalism could hope to accomplish.

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