Mitch Hedberg Feb. 24, 1968 - March 29, 2005

Mitch Hedberg Feb. 24, 1968 - March 29, 2005
Originally uploaded by icemakk.

It was a year ago that I was having fun at the Melbourne Comedy Festival in Australia when the news came in. Mitch Hedberg was dead.
His career? His show?
No, the man.
We were all stunned. The room, full of comics from around the world, lost its party energy. Everyone there knew him or at least who he was.

A comic that had almost a cult status with the public hip to his dry obvious observations about life's subtle peculiarities was gone. In 2000 Time magazine declared him "the next Seinfeld".
The next Seinfeld? I think he was better. (No offense Jerry)

I had the pleasure of meeting him once in Toronto ( I think it was 1999- hey it was a party of comics and the date accuracy is irrelavant) at the The Rivoli.
Brent Butt had just blown the roof off with a killer set. I have always been a fan of Brent's act. I remember leaning over to Dan Quinn and saying "Man I'd hate to be the guy who has to follow that!" Dan agreed.
The guy who followed was Mitch. Almost shyly he approached the microphone, with his almost simplistic way of speaking, almost never using contractions. He went into some new material, his long hair hiding part of his face.
The audience did not come along at first.
About his third line in Mitch quipped "I can see you are not really into me yet, I will try another joke." It was the WAY he said it. Like magic the room entered into his world and he continued, almost oblivious to the fact the entire room was digging him, hanging on to his every word.
His obscure line of "I can't wait for this set to be over because I have a roll of Lifesavers in my pocket and pineapple is next." Had me on the floor and had hooked the audience for good.
8 mins later he left the stage, the Rivoli having had the roof blown off - yet again. It was as if he did not even notice as he left the stage; the room was going nuts.
It was the only time I saw Mitch perform live. I was in awe. I had never heard of him before but I remembered him ever since.
I had the pleasure of meeting him, shaking his hand that night. It was the only time we spoke, he was friendly and soft spoken. Our paths never crossed again.
I have seen many of his sets on TV, the internet and on the radio since. He always made me laugh.
I am not a religous person but if there is a heaven or hell, Mitch either has the angels and God in stitches or he has Satan pissing with laughter he can't torture any more souls.
He lived his life the way he wanted. He partied hard at times but he did what he loved. Stand-up comedy.

You left us too young Mitch but you left a lasting impression with your unique humor (or humour for those fo you that prefer the Brit version).
Rest in peace.