On a freezing night in St. Louis, comedian Jo Koy faced an unexpected hurdle. His flight from Los Angeles had to make an emergency landing due to a snowstorm in Kansas City. As the audience anxiously awaited his arrival, a screen reminded them not to heckle, ensuring an uninterrupted show for everyone.
Finally, 25 minutes past the scheduled start time, amidst thunderous applause and a standing ovation, Jo Koy, the 52-year-old comic from Tacoma, WA, took the stage. Addressing the warm reception, he exclaimed, “Holy shit, right? This big hug you gave me is all I need!”
Referring to his ill-fated Golden Globes hosting gig, Jo Koy playfully remarked, “Lot of marshmallows, man. They’re delicious, but goddamn, they’re soft. I just come from a different time. I see the changes that are happening. I get it, but goddamn, can we fucking laugh at ourselves?” The audience erupted in applause, with someone shouting, “Fuck ’em!”
Expressing relief that most of the audience hadn’t watched his Golden Globes performance, Jo Koy highlighted the importance of freedom of speech, stating, “We get to say what we want to say. Don’t be apologetic about it at all. Be able to…speak your mind.”
The crowd gathered that night in St. Louis resonated with Jo Koy’s relatability. Amy Thebeau, who came all the way from Potosi, IL, with her cousin Kayla Weingartner from Sikeston, MO, said, “When you grow up poor in a big family, it’s easy to relate to his comedy.” They both praised Jo Koy’s ability to capture the dynamics of a large family, feeling like they were watching someone they knew.
Throughout the show, Jo Koy shared laughter-inducing stories about everything from inclement weather to cultural sensitivity. He used his quick wit to engage with the audience, jokingly declining to guess someone’s ethnicity to avoid further controversy.
In a laid-back hoodie and black pants, Jo Koy playfully questioned why people choose to live in such a cold place like St. Louis. The audience erupted in laughter and applause, thoroughly enjoying the night’s comedy.
In addition to the laughs, Jo Koy shared personal anecdotes from his childhood, paying tribute to his recently deceased stepfather and emphasizing the importance of taking risks and embracing failure.
As the show came to an end, Jo Koy distributed merchandise hats to several lucky audience members, expressing gratitude and calling the experience therapeutic.
Fans can look forward to Jo Koy’s upcoming special on Netflix, while his “Joy Koy World Tour” will continue until May 26, 2024, in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
To read the original article, visit F5mag.com.