Those looking for a candid confessional about his lightweight scandal that had the internet ablaze didn’t get it when they stopped by Kevin Hart’s “Irresponsible Tour” Friday night at Scottrade Center.
“We’ll get to that in a minute,” Hart said as a teaser to what many thought would be his side of the story on the spectacle that came his way last year with the release of footage with Hart and a mystery woman in Las Vegas. Hart spoke his truth on an Instagram video in response to what he then said were extortion threats.
The tour’s title might have led some to believe that show would be an airing out of sorts, where he would share more details on his side of the story and spill the tea on the whole ordeal. Not so much. He addressed it – but jumped off the topic almost as soon as he brought it up.
“In my first marriage, I filed for divorce,” Hart said. He said that he thought that relationship needed to end – and it was in the best interest of him and his ex-wife Torrei for them to move on.
“I’m happy, she’s happy – we moved on,” Hart said. “This time, I [expletive] up.”
Hart wanted people to know three things after coming out on the other side of the whole experience – what happens in Vegas does not stay in Vegas, he messed up and he was most bothered by people assuming they knew more about his personal life than he did.
He also said he wanted to make this marriage work, because “after the second marriage, you are pretty much looking for a death partner.” Aside from a few moments of reflecting on his insecurities about how his wife felt following and his state of doing whatever he can to redeem himself, that was it.
He worked the bits of information into his routine in a graceful manner that was respectful of his wife, and quickly moved on. Those who have been through similar situations could certainly appreciate the way Hart handled the whole drama, but he also left everyone else quietly desiring more details.
From there, Hart jumped into his usual format of framing his show around family anecdotes and experiences. Through his standup, fans have heard Hart’s children grow up. Now 10 and 13, Hart talked about their sibling rivalry, his daughter going through puberty and having to discipline his son in the age of technology. The stories were different, but the formula was the same as with other Hart offerings – stories about his family, stories about experiences with his friends and the culmination with a group trip gone wrong.
“The Irresponsible Tour” was middle of the road as laughs go when pared against his other standup tours/specials. The show was more exciting than “Now What?” but missing the candor and transparency of “Laugh at My Pain” or “Let Me Explain.”
The show opened with Harts comedy cohorts known collectively as The Plastic Cup Boyz. Joey Wells, Spank Horton and longtime Hart opener Naim Lynn.
Comedically, Lynn was the bright spot in the show – even eclipsing Hart in his bits that included jabs at the elderly, the idea of having a prosthetic arm and being almost famous. “I’m at a funny point in my career,” Lynn confessed. “People recognize me, but they don’t know from what.” He then shared a hilarious bit about being at the mall and being mistaken for the actor who Tupac Shakur shot in the film “Juice.”
Wells, who also served as the evening’s host, garnered big laughs when he talked about the differences between going out as a middle-aged person versus in one’s youth.
As repeatedly announced both in advance of the show, prior to entering the venue, before Host Wells took the stage and before Hart’s headlining performance, the strict no-cellphone policy became a part of the host’s material.
Several fans were escorted out and Wells made sure to take a few shots at how seriously security was taking their responsibilities – and how relationships will suffer because of the cell phone offenders that cost their partner the opportunity to see the show he or she paid for.
