Gary Owen Tickets Norfolk

I love Gary!

I so love Gary Owens. I saw him live once and often watch him on video, Netflix, YouTube, Pandora, etc., and any time I can get the chance to see or hear him. He is usually funny as heck, but he wasn't that funny this time. He seemed to mainly work the crowd and seemed to not have a planned skit/show. He was personable and warm as usual, but something was missing. Maybe he was ill, tired or had something heavy on his mind. I laughed, but not my usual "loud, gut wrenching, so funny that you scrunch your face up and close your eyes to laugh because it's so funny that I can't keep them open to laugh and now I have raccoon eyes from my mascara." And...I can't even remember his front liners name as he was so not memorable. He appeared to not be involved with his performance and seemed to be only saying the words, but not feeling the energy or the people or even his jokes. It's hard to explain. This is unusual because I love to laugh and laugh often and go out of my way to see live comedy. I go to comedy often even here in Sacramento.
Now...about the Punchline....They had no accessible seats available. The food tasted absolutely horrible, It was overpriced and I had terrible service. The lighting was so poor that I couldn't even read the menu that was on the table. The waitress had to tell me what was on the menu or I would have had to go outside to read it. (no candles or any other accommodation for low lights.) I was so hungry and I wanted to eat, drink and enjoy the show. I figured maybe Nachos would be a safe thing to order. I ordered the Chicken Nachos and they were so yukie that I then ordered the hamburger sliders with fries. The fries were edible though. The hamburger sliders were the pits. Most businesses can at least serve you a good enough hamburger. Wrong, I felt like acting like Chef Ramsey, but I maintained my poise and didn't send the food back or holler at the people, but I did tell the wait staff and the people at my table that the food was horrible. Also, I had to ask about three wait staff for a fork in order to get a fork to eat the Nachos with. I know Nachos are finger food, but a fork is still necessary. I only had to ask once for a fork for the sliders and fries. I received a fork, no knife for the condiments. At least they brought napkins. The drinks were also not good. I had their Starburst alcohol drink which was recommended by their staff as a sweet drink and it wasn't even sweet nor was there any alcohol in it. I had a lukewarm hot tea and she brought it with the tea bag already in the tea and I had to ask for a saucer or something to put the tea bag in - she brought me a liquor class to use which worked, but was tacky. The waitress asked how was the Starburst, I told her the truth and she offered to replace it. But...I had already given up hope to get any satisfaction.
Another bad experience: I got there after the show had already started (traffic) and I pulled out my phone to turn my volume off and was immediately accosted by one of their body guards who rudely said, "there is no phone usage here" I told him that I was aware and was just turning off my volume. (I don't think he was aware that some phones need to be unlocked before you can adjust the volume.) Also, not a very classy act.
To top off the evening the waitress brought me mine and someone else's bill and I also had to ask her for another bill that tallied my purchases. She apologized, but I need to check my bank to make sure that she didn't charge the other bill on my card. Of course, I only left a $2 tip. Sadly, I left there with mascara in tact and went to Jack in the Box for edible food (I was desperate) and I don't think I bragged to anyone that I went to see Gary Owens. I will think several times (way more than twice) before going back to the Punchline again...but, I love Comedy, so I'll probably go back again. Hopefully, they will have new management!