Bob Zany made his first television appearance at the age of 15, on the old
Gong Show. Though he got yanked before he could finish, he still looks back fondly on the experience. "I believe that you're the sum of the whole," he says. "Things happen to you that weren't that positive at the time, but you grow as a human being." He adds, "Listen to me. Is this a self-help seminar?"Zany assaults his audience with one-liners. "You ever meet the overachiever guy?" he asks as an example. "'
I'll sleep when I die.' Why don't you go to bed early?" That style of comedy, though, seems to be a dying art these days. "Everyone has such a short attention span," Zany says. "You'd think that wouldn't be the case. I saw
Pirates of the Caribbean, and it's so long ... I don't even have time, and I probably have a little more patience than people who watch YouTube." Zany performs at The Improv at The Majestic (7430 Northwest 87th Street) tonight at 8:30, with additional showtimes at 9:45 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 7 p.m. Sunday. Tickets cost $16 to $18. Call 816-587-4500.
Improv at the Majestic
Thu., Dec. 13, 8:30 p.m.; Fri., Dec. 14, 9:45 p.m.; Sat., Dec. 15, 7 p.m., 2007
