Downtown Workers Get Chance for Comic Relief

Whenever Glenn Super needs service in public restrooms, he just uses his megaphone.

“We need some soap in here, some paper towels,” he screams, “and a tetanus shot would be nice.”

Actually, Super told this joke to an appreciative crowd at the downtown Koll Center, all the more appreciative because the comedy show for downtown workers was free.

He was hired by San Diego Laughs, a product of the Hollywood-based Big Deal Productions. The company introduced a similar project in Los Angeles two years ago.

Acting as a talent broker, the firm works with agencies and managers to recruit performers and provide talent for many functions, including trade shows, conventions, sales meetings and charity benefits.

On Monday, the Koll Center and Big Deal Productions co-sponsored the first free lunchtime comedy show in San Diego, said Renee Wenrick, a Koll Center spokeswoman.

The 30-minute shows will be offered every other month this year at different locations, usually on a Monday.

“People hate to come back to work on Mondays. We want to give them something to look forward to, to start their week and make it go faster,” said Chuck Scott Big Deal’s president. He said that San Diego Laughs does free shows instead of advertising.

“Koll wanted something fun to give their clients and tenants,” Scott said. “We provided live comedy for free, and helped to showcase the (Koll) building.”

Scott said that San Diego Laughs also provides specialized comedy, which helped them land the Koll show because one of the two comedians is an ex-lawyer. About 72% of the Koll building is occupied by lawyers, Wenrick said.

Super and former attorney Mike Langworthy performed for 30 minutes.

Super, also known as “Mr. Bullhorn,” performed with an electric megaphone and an acoustic guitar. He said that he takes his megaphone everywhere, even to elegant restaurants. Super asked the audience of about 50 if they had trouble getting good service at a fancy restaurant, but no one answered.

“I must be the only one to get lousy service, that’s why I bring my bullhorn,” he said, preparing to demonstrate.

“Attention waiter, we’ve been sitting here a stinking hour. Some coffee would be nice,” he yelled through the megaphone.

Langworthy, dressed in a dark blue blazer, light blue shirt, beige pants and suspenders, told the audience that whenever he enters a grocery store, he is constantly mistaken for an assistant manager.

“I have assistant manager written all over my face,” he told the crowd. “I can walk into any supermarket in the country and approve my own checks.”

As people walked through the Koll Center’s lobby, heading to their offices, Langworthy made sarcastic comments.

“Look at him, Mr. 450 cases. Go back to your office and pretend to work. I know what you’re doing up there. I used to be a lawyer,” he quipped.

The next San Diego show will be April 26, on Secretary’s Day, at a site still to be selected, Scott said.

Wenrick said Koll Center might host another show because this one “went over really well, beyond what we expected. We weren’t expecting so many people, and we got positive response.”

But not everyone who attended the show was pleased with the crowd’s reaction.

“The show was good, but the crowd was tough,” said Edward Shelswell-White, an employee at Southwest Airlines. “It’s hard for a comedian to get into his act without the crowd’s help.”

Lourdes White, a market coordinator, said that the show was “great fun,” and that she planned to bring more people next time.

“It’s a nice break from the workday. It makes answering phone calls at work all day not so bad,” White said.