Longtime Political Satirist Mark Russell Will Brandish His Funny Foil at UC Irvine

Veteran comedian Mark Russell, who has made regular pilgrimages the last few years to UC Irvine, returns to the campus for a performance tonight at the Bren Events Center.

Some longtime Russell observers consider him a modern-day Will Rogers, although Russell performs with a piano instead of a lariat and, as a veteran political satirist, he has met a few men he didn’t like.

But when Russell uses his droll one-liners and bouncy tunes to skewer these men (and women) he doesn’t like, he never confines them, like many political comics, to just Republican figures.

Indeed, one of the strengths of his act--and part of the explanation for his popularity and longevity (he worked as the resident comedian at Washington’s Shoreham Hotel for 20 years and has been writing a nationally syndicated newspaper column as well as hosting his “Mark Russell Comedy Specials” on PBS for more than a decade)--is his commitment to keeping the barbs bipartisan.

Another strength of his act: He’s constantly updating his material with fresh jokes and songs to reflect the most current drama and games being played out in the political arena. If you don’t think last week’s--or maybe even today’s--headlines will be part of tonight’s presentation, you don’t know Mark Russell.

If he isn’t as high-minded as Mort Sahl or as breathtakingly trenchant and brilliant as Harry Shearer (currently our premier political satirist), Russell is eminently engaging, smart, well-informed--and funny.

Mark Russell performs tonight at UCI’s Bren Events Center, Campus Drive and Bridge Street, Irvine. Show time: 8 p.m. Tickets: $10 to 13. Information: (714) 634-1300.