During a time when politicians and news junkies discuss hot-button topics with anger and disgust, it’s refreshing to sit back and find the humor in controversial issues. Comedian Cameron Esposito, who many may know from her “Ask A Lesbian” video series on BuzzFeed, recently brought her brutally honest humor to the Trocadero Theatre.
During her Jan. 31 show, Esposito outlined humorous experiences from her life. One of the show’s highlights was when she explained meeting Kristanna Loken, an actress she frequently searched for on Google Images. She even owned an action figure based on Loken’s character in “Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines” After sharing a hug with the topless actress at a beach, Esposito ended up using this story in her subsequent shows. However, things took a turn when Loken attended a show hosted by Esposito and her wife, Rhea Butcher, who also opened for the Trocadero show. Loken loved the show so much, it prompted her to ask Esposito out for a drink.
Esposito pointed out why it’s so great to be a married lesbian. Rather than keeping her date with Loken a secret, Esposito went backstage and squealed about her excitement to Butcher. Her wife ended up saying “I’m in” and joined them.
“You go together … and talk about it later … in an intimate moment,” Esposito said, to which audiences responded with laughter after each pause in the sentence.
However, Esposito’s show wasn’t all about silly topics. Her discussion of controversial issues gave her stand-up routine some added edginess. Rape was among the topics. During this moment of the show, she mentioned how young men and women are taught to respond to sexual advances differently. While men know to be defensive and put up a fight, women are often taught to giggle and say, “Maybe.” While this may not seem like something one should joke about, Esposito successfully made it into a humorous bit while simultaneously showing the audience how ridiculous society can be for teaching young girls these mixed messages. Finally, Esposito made sure to emphasize how girls should always say “no” when they are getting unwanted attention. The audience approved this message with enthusiastic applause.
She also used this topic to let the audience know women can enjoy sex as well. This portion of the show is where Esposito showcased her ability to interact with the audience while thinking on her feet. After she mentioned how women want sex, a female audience member agreed and shouted out how she wants it several times a week. Esposito engaged in a dialogue with the audience member and, after learning she was actually not having sex several times a week, the comedian suggested she should have sex with herself. Moments later, the same audience member let out a high-pitched giggle and Esposito came up with a hilarious response on the fly — “I think she has already started.”
Additionally, she also brought up the topic of gun control by explaining how she sleeps with a pillow on her chest. If someone breaks into her home, the intruder will stab the pillow and she’ll reach into her side table drawer for a knife. At a previous show, an audience member suggested using a gun instead.
“Here’s the thing, Philadelphia,” Esposito said. “I will not be getting a gun. I do not think we need any more guns. I don’t even think we’re doing a good job with the guns we already have.”
While there were times when it seemed like Esposito was pushing a political agenda (for example, after mentioning she would be voting for Hillary Clinton in the presidential election, there was an awkward air of disapproval from some audience members, such as one shouting out “Bernie [Sanders]!”), she never stopped the crowd from having a good time. Even when the audience was silent during the more serious topics, she would consistently say, “I understand you’re taking all of this in,” giving everyone a chance to laugh at typically serious situations.
Overall, Esposito’s show at the Trocadero served as an excellent precursor for her show “Marriage Material,” a two-hour comedy special you can stream now on Seeso. Additionally, “Take My Wife,” a six-episode half-hour single-camera comedy series starring Esposito and Butcher, will air on the streaming platform later this year.
If Esposito’s Trocadero show is any indication, audiences are sure to enjoy hours of entertainment on Seeso.