It’s no secret that media was NOT invited to review the Kevin Hart comedy show Friday night at the Scottrade. I wasn’t stressed. I heard from a friend in another city that he told plenty of the same jokes as before. Plus, while I sincerely live for him as a person and his work ethic is ____________ (insert new slang for off the chain), I’m far from bothered from his standup or his movies. People were surprised that I took not being there so lightly. Let me tell you, had I known then what I know now I’d still be on the phone while beating down the door – even offering up my own little coins – to be at that show. Not for his routine, but to witness the shenanigans that ensued as a result of his prohibitive cell phone policy. I’d sacrifice my beloved (as seen on TV) Suzanne Sommers three-way poncho to see the looks on the dozens of folks faces as they were tossed out before the show got good and started. I can only imagine based on the Negro Spirituals that flooded my inbox how hilarious it had to be to see it firsthand. And baby, the pounced patrons were so hot that every e-mail started with “Girl…,” so I already knew what would follow. “Girl, I cannot believe…” or “Girl…they had the nerve to throw me out after all that money I paid …” or “Girl…I’ve supported Kevin Hart for his whole career…NEVER AGAIN!”
According to the folks who were shown the door, Kevin gave “one strike you’re out” orders. And the security executed the consequence to breaking the rules in a way that gave new meaning to the phrase “tap out.” If you got a tap, you would be escorted OUT.
I personally am not mad at Kevin for his policy. It forces folks to actually pay attention to the show as opposed to trying to capture it on social media. But I don’t understand why he was so protective over recycled jokes. Then again maybe I do, because the only thing I’ve heard about that show is how a hundred folks got tossed out.