The Critic-How Bovi did the unthinkable.......

I rarely write a Diary where I'm not the lead character.I rarely have the inspiration to write things which don't involve me..But,I witnessed the most hilarious and mind-blowing show last night and hence my career as an event critic has been born.

Below is my unbiased review........

Bovi “Man on fire”. The distinct and catchy poster read. At a time when the proliferation of comedy shows with repeated and predictable jokes seems to be at its all time high, some considered this the wrong timing for yet another standup comedy show in Nigeria.

" It’s going to be another show with uncountable comedians breezing in and out of one warri inspired joke to another, the annoying blazing sound of artistes miming to their auto-tuned infested songs" an event critic maintained.

Bovi has no doubt carved a niche for himself in the comedy and entertainment business. He rose to the limelight with his self written comedy TV series "Extended Family"His recalcitrant,funny ghetto and  “Mr I too know” attitude earned him a place in the hearts of Tv & comedy lovers. But, he needed more than that to cement his status as an A list comedian .

With several high profile shows within/outside the country,2 nominations at the recently concluded AMVCA(African Magic Viewers Choice Awards) for his TV comedy series, it was clear this comedian who was once RMD's personal Assistant has metamorphosed into a comedian extraordinaire with many feathers on his cap.

So, it wasn't surprising that people turned out in mass to witness this highly anticipated event and the first original stand-up comedy show in Nigeria. The big question was how he was going to pull off a solo show.

Did he pull it off?

His partner in comedy crime, Basketmouth mounted the stage and made a hilarious attempt at upstaging Jim Iyke;s controversial  AMVCA looks. He wore a  shorts and jokingly begged the spectators to make him trend as he apparently couldn't understand why Jim Iyke would trend over a simple thing as wearing shorts, while he would do the same and not trend....lol

This put the audience in a light-hearted mood even though many were taken aback when he categorically stated that, being Bovi’s night, he was not allowed to make any jokes and Bovi was going to be doing all jokes. 

Someone seated beside me said and I quote” Mehn that’s gonna be boring “ this elicited a nod from his lady companion who didn't understand what he said but just had to nod for nodding sake or from the wine she had been drinking non-stop

So, Bovi came on stage amidst a standing ovation and of course loud cheers and I waited to hear”You wan know the difference between ajebota and Pakororo”? With all due respect, that joke needs to be buried. If you ain't reinventing it, adding some spice..please let that joke rest in peace.So much money has been made off that joke..give back..spice it up(ok, I’m done ranting)

Starting off on a unique note,he begged us to take our seats alluding to the fact that,to whom much is given,much is expected.He also made reference to not keeping to time as a result of the fact that, we the audience didn't keep to time..and humorously chastised Banky W (who was arriving at the time) for coming late... that was the deal breaker,the crowd erupted in cheers and Bovi took control.

 As the minutes rolled by, his jokes got deeper, nothing was off-limits by this man on fire, Kim K’s visit, Dare’s performance,2face’s & Annie’s wedding,The Oscar Pistorious murder case, the Colorado shooting, the Nigerian man’s approach to sexual  explorations ,the Nigerian lady’s reaction to surprise situations, his experiences, real or imagined, Bovi effortlessly glided from one intelligent joke to another.

His vast knowledge of events around the world,public affairs and the way he seamlessly entwined these with comedy was nothing short of a genius.He was precise and clinical in his finishing. He enlightened and chastised, and of course had the crowd reeling in laughter.

Opportuned to be seated next to about 6 his colleagues such as, Omobaba,Buchi,Akpororos, the emotions, admiration and respect for their friend/colleague was undeniable . When one of them said “This guy is fucking Intelligent, these are like jokes from a newspaper”..I couldn't agree less.

The audience was on a roller-coaster and you couldn't predict his next move. His jokes portrayed an enlightened mind, a learned soul, an intelligent man.

Just when we thought, he couldn't top it, he added a cherry on top with an unbelievable rendition of President Obama’s inauguration speech vs  Goodluck Jonathan’s…at this point in time, it would have been sheer hate /badbelle, not to stand up and give this man on fire a standing ovation.

As Don Williams sang in his renowned track” The Gambler”’ You gotta know when to run, walkway, and never count your money, when you seated at the table, there’ll be time enough to count it, when the deal is done”

The star of the night walked away when the ovation was loudest,yet another lesson learnt,cementing his status as a certified Alist comedian.(His humility won't let him accept this..)  He redefined the true/traditional meaning of a "standup comedy show".

I'm not surprised Basketmouth put all his weight behind him. If you recall, Basket Mouth also went viral when he succeeded in hosting a one man show in 2008.He did two shows(Premuim/Classic) back to back and hasn't been the same since then.That's the ultimate reward for Originality.

Then he paved the way for amazing performances by MI,Chidinma,Eva,Seyi Shay,and ofcourse, Wizkid who had Banky up on his feet dancing throughout his performance(Epic).if I was to judge the state of their relationship from that,I could say there is no enmity between the Banky & Wizkid. That's was a typical Bovi effect

Sometime during Phyno and Olamide's charged performance, I heard a dignitary say "Who said it doesn't pay to be educated and enlightened?Bovi the most intelligent comedian in Nigeria..Basketmouth,Bovi,bad guys..His cheery friend stopped dancing and said" No bro,this guy is on Ghostmode.I didn't  see him coming"

 Bovi didn't hear that but (of course we know he would have been jumping backstage..isn't that what a man on fire does?lol)

I selected these few Star tweets

Lol Alibaba's tweet.Bovi was really blazing..the person who pour am fuel try..lol

I'm going to be doing events reviews from now on..I either praise or take you to the cleaners...lol 

Copyright-Miss Petite Nigeria (2013)