Comic Dave Dugan can tell you as quickly as he fires off a snappy one-liner what his Friday show at the Harlequin Theatre locally will exclude.
Forget political humor.
“Too overdone,” he said.
No filthy language.
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“I’m not a prude, but working dirty is the easy way out,” he said.
So what on earth will the comedy veteran, perhaps best known for years for the character of Bart McAllister on the nationally syndicated “Bob and Tom Show,” bring to the 125-seat venue inside FairOaks Mall in Columbus?
“Depending on the mood, I may include some fire eating and possibly a rousing game of adult leapfrog,” he said during an email chat from his Carmel home.
Dugan, in his 36th year of stand-up that has landed him on every major TV network talk show and cable comedy show since the mid-1980s, still brings the dry wit and bass voice his fans have come to love. Plus, he has expanded to corporate shows and industry humor in recent years.
Either way, laughter remains his business in a world facing such unfunny elements as nuclear war.
“Seriously, many of the things going on in the world are so messed up right now that finding humor, especially in simple, everyday situations has become an even more important release,” he said. “People really need the laughs. It’s also therapeutic for me to provide them the laughs. Audiences — and performers — are saving thousands of dollars toward professional help through the magic of comedy.”
There you have it: Dave Dugan, comic counselor.
His latest material comes, as it always has, from his own life. That includes when his dog chomped him on the finger a few months ago while the pooch was toying with a Starburst, and nearly burst the performer’s bank account with a $4,000 emergency room bill and a substantial loss of blood and pride.
Beyond his own comic heroes of Norm McDonald or Louie Anderson, he loved the genius of SCTV years ago and also “The Office.”
“No laugh tracks necessary,” he said.
Harlequin operator Robert Hay-Smith mentioned that he has wanted to book Dugan since his venue opened about seven years ago, but has found Dugan’s schedule full much of the time.
“But he always has been highly recommended,” Hay-Smith said.
Same for opening act Logan Baert, who appeared at the Harlequin a few months ago to help local performer Jeff Bodart celebrate a new album release.
“He absolutely slayed the audience,” Hay-Smith said of Baert.
Dugan has done that for decades on Bob and Tom’s radio and TV show, which remains one of the top-ranked programs nationally.
“Although it’s evolved some from the earlier days, it still offers regular listeners a comfortable familiarity,” Dugan said. “At the same time, it’s not like any other morning show out there.”
Dugan’s downtime unfolds as dryly as his humor.
“I don’t really have any hobbies,” he said, “unless misplacing your wallet repeatedly is considered a hobby.”
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Who: Comics Logan Baert and Dave Dugan in a stand-up show.
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Where: The Harlequin Theatre inside FairOaks Mall, 2380 25th St. in Columbus.
Tickets: $15 in advance at the mall office, Viewpoint Books or davedugan.brownpapertickets.com.
Concessions: Wine and beer available.
Information: 812-343-4597 or theharlequintheatre.com.
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