Steve Hofstetter's ironic humor and social commentary is coming to Cayuga County. The author and columnist will perform at TC's Place, a restaurant in Cato. This will be his first visit to Cato.
The 27-year-old humorist, known for his satire, maintains a brutal tour schedule of more than 100 colleges and dozens of clubs a year, buoyed by a large following online. He has been touring the United States for the past six years and has performed in 44 states.
“I've seen everything west of the Mississippi,” he said.
He explores American politics, current events, pop culture, religion, foreign policy and ignorance.
Opening the act will be two other comics: Rob Gleason, followed by Phil Mazo, a close friend of Hofstetter's.
“Phil is the only person I know who looks like a pervert and a 12-year-old at the same time,” Hofstetter said. “He's short and has a baby face, but he's a highbrow comic.”
Gleason's comedy is similar to Hofstetter's, though Gleason incorporates more character work and acting, Hofstetter said.
“I like to open naturally,” Hofstetter continued. “I don't like going right into a written joke. I want the audience to trust me.”
Hofstetter said he got into improv when he was 13 years old as a hobby, then wanted to try standup.
“The job market was awful when I graduated,” he said. “If there's anything that will give you the courage to pursue your dream, it's unemployment.”
While he went to school to become a writer, Hofstetter said the main difference between writing and being a comic is having to perform it and earn a living. He really likes to write poetry, but realizes there's not much money in it.
“I'm not making as much as I would in a boom economy, but I enjoy it. I love what I do,” he said.
He tours with three other performers in a minibus.
“I've learned so much touring,” Hofstetter said. “Travel is the enemy of prejudice,” he said, quoting Mark Twain.
A weekly humor columnist for SportsIllustrated.com and NHL.com, he also hosted “Four Quotas” on Sirius Satellite Radio for two seasons and has a radio show, “Sports Minute (Or So),” which is currently broadcast in syndication on more than 100 stations. His first live comedy album, “Cure for the Cable Guy,” debuted on Billboard's comedy charts at No. 22.
His most recent CD, “The Dark Side of the Room,” is a 50-minute performance at the Comedy Caravan in Louisville. It is a sort of travelogue of his experiences in various parts of the country, a collection of sound bites that touches on the quirky characteristics of different areas. For example, he highlights Indiana's disinterest in daylight-saving time, Tulsa's biker rally for God, and Northfield, Vt.'s invisibility on Mapquest.
“Sometimes I get surprised,” he said. While he was traveling before the last presidential elections, at an Ohio farm out in the middle of nowhere, he saw a giant cross with Kerry and Edwards painted on it. He thought that might be a sign of who would win the elections, but he was wrong.
“The funny thing is that it was so stereotypical and unstereotypical,” he said.
Another example of Americana was when Hofstetter bought an A&W root beer in a bottle while he was at a gas station.
“I love root beer floats,” he said, “but the weirdest part is that I put it down and left it behind. The clerk waited until I left to tell my friend how awful it was, but she took my money when I bought it.”
Hofstetter, who also performs in Canada, said American and Canadian audiences are different.
“In the United States, people want to be part of it. They dress like schleps as if to say we don't care, ” he said. “It's amazing to play to a Canadian crowd. More of them are there to see the show than in the United States, where you've really got to prove yourself to someone in the crowd.”
Steve, also well known for his writing, began his craft at 15. At 18, he co-founded “Sports Jerk of the Week,” a Web site featured in well-known sports publications. By the age of 20, he directed web content for the Yankees during a World Series championship year.
Hofstetter grew up in Queens and received his B.A. from the School of General Studies at Columbia University in 2002.
Hofstetter then wrote for Maxim, ESPN and Sports Illustrated for Kids. He used material from his column to write two books.
Staff writer Kathleen Barran can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or kathleen.barran@lee.net
“I've seen everything west of the Mississippi,” he said.
He explores American politics, current events, pop culture, religion, foreign policy and ignorance.
Opening the act will be two other comics: Rob Gleason, followed by Phil Mazo, a close friend of Hofstetter's.
“Phil is the only person I know who looks like a pervert and a 12-year-old at the same time,” Hofstetter said. “He's short and has a baby face, but he's a highbrow comic.”
Gleason's comedy is similar to Hofstetter's, though Gleason incorporates more character work and acting, Hofstetter said.
“I like to open naturally,” Hofstetter continued. “I don't like going right into a written joke. I want the audience to trust me.”
Hofstetter said he got into improv when he was 13 years old as a hobby, then wanted to try standup.
“The job market was awful when I graduated,” he said. “If there's anything that will give you the courage to pursue your dream, it's unemployment.”
While he went to school to become a writer, Hofstetter said the main difference between writing and being a comic is having to perform it and earn a living. He really likes to write poetry, but realizes there's not much money in it.
“I'm not making as much as I would in a boom economy, but I enjoy it. I love what I do,” he said.
He tours with three other performers in a minibus.
“I've learned so much touring,” Hofstetter said. “Travel is the enemy of prejudice,” he said, quoting Mark Twain.
A weekly humor columnist for SportsIllustrated.com and NHL.com, he also hosted “Four Quotas” on Sirius Satellite Radio for two seasons and has a radio show, “Sports Minute (Or So),” which is currently broadcast in syndication on more than 100 stations. His first live comedy album, “Cure for the Cable Guy,” debuted on Billboard's comedy charts at No. 22.
His most recent CD, “The Dark Side of the Room,” is a 50-minute performance at the Comedy Caravan in Louisville. It is a sort of travelogue of his experiences in various parts of the country, a collection of sound bites that touches on the quirky characteristics of different areas. For example, he highlights Indiana's disinterest in daylight-saving time, Tulsa's biker rally for God, and Northfield, Vt.'s invisibility on Mapquest.
“Sometimes I get surprised,” he said. While he was traveling before the last presidential elections, at an Ohio farm out in the middle of nowhere, he saw a giant cross with Kerry and Edwards painted on it. He thought that might be a sign of who would win the elections, but he was wrong.
“The funny thing is that it was so stereotypical and unstereotypical,” he said.
Another example of Americana was when Hofstetter bought an A&W root beer in a bottle while he was at a gas station.
“I love root beer floats,” he said, “but the weirdest part is that I put it down and left it behind. The clerk waited until I left to tell my friend how awful it was, but she took my money when I bought it.”
Hofstetter, who also performs in Canada, said American and Canadian audiences are different.
“In the United States, people want to be part of it. They dress like schleps as if to say we don't care, ” he said. “It's amazing to play to a Canadian crowd. More of them are there to see the show than in the United States, where you've really got to prove yourself to someone in the crowd.”
Steve, also well known for his writing, began his craft at 15. At 18, he co-founded “Sports Jerk of the Week,” a Web site featured in well-known sports publications. By the age of 20, he directed web content for the Yankees during a World Series championship year.
Hofstetter grew up in Queens and received his B.A. from the School of General Studies at Columbia University in 2002.
Hofstetter then wrote for Maxim, ESPN and Sports Illustrated for Kids. He used material from his column to write two books.
Staff writer Kathleen Barran can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or kathleen.barran@lee.net
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