College Humor founder cracks jokes at OWU

Steve Hofstetter performed at Ohio Wesleyan University on January 28, where he commented on student related issues. While he received a big turn out, a few students found a few of the things he said offensive.

By Emily Feldmesser
and Sara Jane Sheehan
Transcript Correspondents

Nothing was off limits at Steve Hofstetter’s Jan. 28 comedy show, hosted by Campus Programming Board (CPB) and Sigma Phi Epsilon (Sig Ep).

The show opened with a performance from Pitch Black, Ohio Wesleyan’s women’s a cappella group. They performed three songs fresh off their set list from their International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA) competition the previous weekend.

Hofstetter came on stage for about an hour of stand-up. Hofstetter’s website says he practices “comedy without apology.”

According to his website, Hofstetter is an original columnist for College Humor. His comedy videos have millions of YouTube views, and he’s written three books and made many television appearances. Hofstetter performs at over 100 schools every year.

During his OWU performance, Hofstetter joked at many issues related to students. From the city of Delaware to drugs to airports to the media, nothing was left uncovered in his show.

“It was the kind of humor where you didn’t want to laugh because he was harsh,” said sophomore Kristen Puckett, CPB president. “But everyone was laughing the whole time, which I was happy about.”

According to some members of the audience, though, Hofstetter was not as funny as they expected.

“Some perceived him as offensive, which I completely get, but that comes with the territory,” Puckett said.

Pucket said she was really happy about the turnout at the show. She said about a hundred people showed up, one of the largest crowds they’ve gotten in a while.

Puckett said they got Hofstetter to come through Sigma Phi Epsilon. Hofstetter is a brother of Sig Ep and the OWU chapter reached out to CPB to bring him to campus.

Junior Jake Miller, president of Sig Ep, said he was nervous about the turnout due to a late start advertising the event.

“Hofstetter has spoken at the Sig Ep National Conclave (a national Sig Ep event) before, so we knew what to expect in his show,” Miller said.

The brothers of Sig Ep had an opportunity to personally meet Hofstetter.

“It was really cool to meet another Sig Ep, and Hofstetter likes to meet different Sig Eps at his shows,” Miller said.

Sophomore Kelly Rand, CPB vice-president, said organizations like CPB go to the National Association for Campus Activities conference every year to see and book entertainment.

“[CPB’s] purpose is to bring fun entertainment to campus,” she said.

Puckett and Rand said they are really looking forward to the events they have coming up in the spring.

Puckett said this event is not a replacement for Crossroads or Springfest, but “there was not a good turn out for the amount of work we put into for Crossroads or Springfest.”

Rand said their next event is the Roller Rink on Feb. 15, which will include a skating rink in the Benes rooms, free food and a photo booth.

Puckett also said CPB has OWU’s Got Talent and Dakaboom, an event with comedians, coming in March. CPB also hosts Day on the Jay in the spring.

Rand said CPB is always open to suggestions from students about events should be held on campus, but there are no guarantees an event will be held. To contact CPB, see their Facebook page.