Those who thought they were going to see Michael "Black Jack" Wilson's comedy act tonight will not get the opportunity.
According to University Program Board adviser Jan Gaff, Wilson had to cancel his show due to commitments elsewhere and a misunderstanding in what day he was to be at Ball State. She said he misread the contract and thought he would be coming to campus in March instead of February.
Gaff said having to find replacement acts for last-minute cancellations isn't a common occurrence for UPB.
But for those seeking a break from the everyday strains of studying and paper writing, there is hope.
Comedian Mike Siegel was chosen to replace Wilson at "Laughter At Half-After" tonight.
"We were looking for another comedian, and he just happened to be recommended to us by some people," Gaff said. UPB had only two weeks to find a replacement for Wilson. Oddly enough, Siegel and Wilson are both with the same agency.
Siegel's act will be a little different from what Wilson was planning to do, Gaff said. Siegel's act is mostly stand-up comedy, as opposed to the impressions Wilson does in his act.
But Siegel didn't start out in comedy after he graduated from college. The Chicago native started out as a sportswriter for a Chicago publication. Growing tired of the daily grind of his job, he decided to turn to comedy as a profession.
Siegel started doing stand-up in some Chicago clubs, and then started traveling around the country, working hard to expose people to his brand of comedy.
His hard work began to pay off when Siegel made his first national television appearance on NBC's "Friday Night" and then went on to appear on Comedy Central programs such as "Standup Standup" and "Short Attention Span Theater."
Siegel later went on to grab a job as a VH1 veejay and then moved to New York. He continued to do his comedy acts while also working for VH1.
Because of his constant television exposure, Siegel landed a development deal with NBC and moved from New York to Los Angeles, where he resides today. Siegel still does guest appearances on VH1's "Rock Candy" and "The List."
Though his name might not be the most familiar one in comedy, Siegel has had the chance to work with such entertainers as Jim Carrey, Pauly Shore, Brett Butler and Ellen DeGeneres.
"He's just doing the college circuit," Gaff said. "We like to get them when they're up and coming."
Siegel will be in the Student Center Tally at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free.
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