Comedian Mitch Hedberg destroys his career with a pathetically drunken, drugged approximation of a performance.
Celebrity Theater's "in the round" setting provided an unusual setting for a pairing of comedy performances last night, and the slowly spinning stage providing material for everyone involved. After an amusing, if a tad long set by music-comedian Stephen Lynch, whose song-based humor often resembled that of Jack Black's Tenacious D (if less metal-based,) and hilarious emcee duties handled by previously unknown to me comedian Al Madrigal, expectations were high for the big draw, Mitch Hedberg. Expectations, it turns out, were about to be let down.…
Article comments
— go to most recent comments26 - mv
"Another Jim Morrison or Lenny Bruce."
Yes, a very apt comparison. Reading these comments, I had no idea how bad his performances had gotten. So sad.
RIP, Mitch. You'll be missed and remembered for your talent.
27 - zendog64
I am incredibly sad, but at the same time feel incredibly guilty...as fans, we laughed at his behavior, little did we know it would take his life. I always thought his erratic behavior was an act, something that was crafted and rehearsed and perfected. Im sure alot of us did, as we sat there and laughed at his stumbling and incoherance. I dont know about you, but now I feel a little ashamed for laughing. The show is over, and the joke was on us.
28 - Cam Fu
see here
29 - Aaman
Long url - nice post
30 - Kimberly
I saw him in Cincinnati in February. I convinced a friend she should come because he was terrific.
It was a strange thing to watch. We immediately looked at each other and said "Is he completely wasted?". As Mitch has often done he kept his eyes shut about 80% of the show. He was brought a drink which he promptly and (?)accidently kicked over. He had his "book" with him and kept referring to it. It was weird but I hadn't realized his problems had escalated to this point. I'm devesatated. He seemed to pull it together at one point in the show but apparently that was just a very temporary situation. Mitch...you were the best and I wouldn't sell my CD's for anything. I thank you for the laughs.
31 - Brett
Well I went to the Mitch show in Boston with stephen lynch. Yeah he was pretty messed up on stuff, and he did lie on the stage for a while, but it was all part of act. He eventually got up and finished the show strong, just like he said he was trying to do. The part of the show where he lies down is improv. He'll do anything, and encourage interaction with the audience. If he had started hooking up with a random girl in the audience at my show I'd think it's halarious. He always spits out random punchlines, its part of his act. You guys say you are fans but you obviously haven't seen enough performances. Nor will you ever get to.
32 - Avi
Man, I had first saw/heard of Mitch way back on his first Comedy Central Presents show. Since then, I've gathered that performance in video and audio performance, and a video of him on Leno, as well as audio of him being interviewed on radio with his wife, and on Lettermen twice. I just got his 2 CDs yesterday (March 30). He's still the funniest comedian ever. Man.
In Iron Maiden's words, only the good die young.
33 - Michael
I saw Mitch in Cincy last month after he missed a show in Columbus. I thought he was hilarious. I was at the first show of the night and don't remember him drinking at all.(maybe just some water) But he did act wasted. He was holding on to the rear wall of the stage for the whole show so as to not fall over. I thought it was all shtick. Maybe not. He kept on getting down on himself when he thought he wasn't funny, always apologizing to the audience. But I don't know why he thought that because he killed that night. He will be missed. Thanks, Mitch for giving a lot of people a little piece of happiness. Knowing now what kind of shape he was in makes it that much more meaningfull. Maybe now he can open his eyes.
34 - garrett
wow i saw him at the warfield the first of the tour. he was great but no one laughed. they were all drunk losers there for lynch. seriously they all drank way too much. they heckled him and didnt let him tell anyting new. in the end he was resorting to "testing the spotlight man" it was hilarious but he didnt get anything. i wonder if thats why this happened. maybe it was the fact that the crowd in the beggining was against him. im really sad to hear this. seriously like verge of tears. he was working out of a book for the new stuff but he never got to tell it. ya he did git down on himself a lot because he kept flopping. you could tell the people who wernt drunk cause they actully laughed at the end of the joke and not in a stupor. at the end he was just going "mother fucker what am i gonna do now" i felt so sorry for him cause no one was there for him or even wanted to hear him laughed whenever he wasnt telling a joke. he was great but he wasnt wanted maybe thats what happened
oh this was december.
35 - Russ
RIP Mitch, we'll miss you.
This article says it all...
36 - Ben
I have seen two of Mitch's performances, both in the Twin Cities. I saw him for the first time 2 years ago, after seeing his Comedy Central special, which put me on my ass laughing. The first performance was absolutely incredible. Home town crowd, he was still somewhat unknown, and the set was awesome. Timing, delivery, pacing---all perfect. Comics could study the set to learn about the craft.
The second time I saw him was more reminiscent of what people are talking about here. He was clearly half-gone, although not as bad as he apparently was for some other people. Lynch went first, and it was hard to sit through (sorry, just not a fan of musicomedy, which is a hybrid of bad music and bad jokes that apparently some people find funny), but I endured it because, man, Mitch was on next. Mitch did his whole set, didn't fall down, didn't lay on the stage, but he was wasted, and a bit giggly. And his set suffered, b/c Mitch's comedy needed that good pacing, deadpan delivery, etc.
End of the day, the world is poorer. Mitch, you were a great comedian. Sorry the other stuff got in the way.
"Every photograph of you is from the past."
37 - noprotein
Comedy Central is airing his infamous presents special again tonight... i just finished it for like the 200th time...
Why man... you'll be very sadly missed. fuck fuck fuck. another brilliant creative and unique mind lost to drugs. how many more have to die before we realize? what a fucking waste
38 - GillianSouth
I just want to go on record to say I love Mitch and my prayers go out to Lynn and the Hedberg family.
I've been a fan of Mitch for quite a few years- ironically, he made me laugh through hard times when my mom died of alcoholism (withdrawl and liver complications). My experience with this is that I won't remember Mitch for his bad days- only his best ones. I have a lot of awful memories of my mom when she was under the influence- but that's not who she was and that is not who she will be remembered as. Same goes for Mitchie.
He will always, always go down as a brilliant comic and an all-around guy, from things I've read about him. I encourage all to read his journals on his website. I wish he could have found recovery. I hope this is a wake-up call for any of his fans struggling with alcoholism or drug addiction. Some of the most amazing, brilliant, funny, kind people suffered from, as Mitch said "the only disease you can get yelled at for having."
Fans, laugh again, and remember him well as Mitch Hedberg, the one and only.
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Mitch_Hedberg
Mitch, as I hear they say in times like this at comedy clubs:
"Make God laugh."
Hope they have lots of koalas up there for you, pal.
39 - Kingpin
After seeing him on Comedy Central I took my son and his friend to see Mitch and Stephen Lynch at the Oakdale theatre in Wallingford, CT at the end of January. He was late.... He came on and killed!!! He was incredibly alert and funny. Making fun of the venue, "it looks like a F***ing barn, so I drove right by", and interacting with the audience. I am sorry to hear of his battles with drugs and alcohol and can only hope this is one lesson my son will take to heart. He is devastated, as I am, to see such a shining light snuffed out way to early in life. We love you Mitch and will miss you dearly. Catch you on the flip side brother........
40 - B-rent
I am truly sad to see the end of career that had so much potential. I know his jokes will live on forever. Rest in Peace, Mitch. God Bless.
41 - pamelaNeko
I saw Mitch in Chicago on November 13. He was hilarious - a great night for him. He was drinking & smoking on stage - but not *wasted*. He never ended up lying down! I felt bad for him b/c some rude-ass drunks in the balcony started screaming at him halfway through his routine: Get off he stage, Bring Stephen back, You suck, etc. At one point he stopped his joke and told them to fuck off. I felt really bad for him--at the time, I had not heard about his recent wasted performances.
42 - Barkley
He was as entertaining as any other stoners you see shitting themselves on the street.
Saw him at the Montreal Comedy Fest, and it was completely pathetic. With him gone, perhaps some other poor starving (but talented) comedian will get a chance.
Too bad he had to go and kill himself, but his "comedy"... *pathetic*
43 - Joshua
Was at the phoenix show on 9/23. Left about 20 minutes into Mitch's set, and contacted ClearChannel Inc for refund of tickets.
Seems kinda petty now.
God bless you Mitch. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
"Go around! I can not open the wall."
44 - Randyman
Mitch was great, I'm catholic and I was more upset over Mitch's passing than that of the Pope. Asinine comments like Barkley's do nothing but promote his own ignorance on the subject at hand. Mitch's brilliance can be found forever on his CDs, DVDs, and other videos.
I cant say I've had the pleasure (or displeasure) of hearing Mitch live - I couldnt bring myself to pay over 50 bucks to see Lewis Black and Dave Attell when all I wanted to see was Mitch. In hindsight, it wouldve been the best 50 I could have spent.
"I wanna hang a map of the world in my house in my house. Then I'm going to put pins into all the locations that I've traveled to; but first I'm going to travel to the top two corners of the map so it wont fall down."
45 - ian'dalocal
As a comic myself, the loss that is felt due to Mitch's untimely death is great. Mitch spent time working here in Seattle in the late 90's and many comics from here have great stories (good and bad) about Mitch, his act and antics. As I read this seemingly endless page of posts about Mitch being f*cked up on stage, I can't help but wonder where the people who truly cared for Mitch were...and why they didn't get him help. It just seems sad that Mitch is now another Chris Farley...gone too soon for reasons that might have been prevented. RIP, brother. I hope heaven is infested with koala bears.
46 - DavePillman
I agree with randyman, I was more upset over the death of Mitch than I was the Pope, or even that Schaivo woman.
I heard only one of Mitch's jokes *I wanna be a racecar passenger* and I was hooked.....Even now, it makes me sad to know he's gone, and I too, hope they have Koala bears in heaven, and a beret for him to finally wear.
47 - x
i first saw mitch on comedy central and thought he was hilarious. i looked him up on the internet that night and it was the same day that he died. i purchased both of his cd's and he is completely funny. i get his jokes, even the taffy one! he makes me laugh and i am sorry that he had to leave the world too soon. listening to his words makes me happy and laugh. thanks for the good vibes mitch...alllriiight
48 - Freshkid
Tura killed Mitch Hedburg!
49 - Ed
I saw Mitch in Cincinnati. I was disappointed for his set was old material, delivered badly. He was clearly NOT AT HIS BEST.
I didn't know about the drug issues and thought it was all part of his act. Sadly, it wasn't.
It seems in the world of comedy, unless you clean up on your own..nobody is going to reach out until it's too late.
50 - Richard
Damn...reading all those reviews before his death really puts it into perspective. I didn't know he got that bad.
He's one of the funniest comedians I've ever seen. Too bad his life ended so soon. I wish he had cleaned up but I guess that's just the way it goes.
RIP Mitch...you were one funny motherfucker
51 - kevnar
Mitch was one of my all-time favorite comedians. He told jokes that were on a different level, that many people didn't seem to get. I got them though, and laughed even harder because I knew exactly what he was talking about.
For example: "I don't wear a watch because I want my arms to weigh the same. So if somebody asks me what time it is, I have to tell them something that is going on. 'What time is it, Mitch?' 'Uh, that guy is eating a hamburger.' 'Shit, I had to be somewhere ...' "
Hilarious. I laughed for like five minutes. Some people don't get it at all though, and they call him hurtful names. Well each to his own. They probably prefer knock-knock or something.
Anyway, this is my two-cents on it. If I ever become a stand-up comedian, I'll be naming him as one of my influences.
52 - Jackelope
I lost track of Mitch Hedburg for quite a while, after first hearing his quirky delivery and and sly insights on the cartoon Home Movies. He made me laugh out loud more than once, which is pretty damn hard to do to this jaded cynic. I assumed he was at least destined for the same level of success as, say, Dave Attell or any of the Comedy Central regulars and that he'd be, if not a household name then at least recognized as a damn funny guy.
Just today I read a sideline blurb on some site about Mitch being found dead in a motel room over a month ago, and then find a long, harsh list of reviews of his last shows all agreeing that he was BADLY out of it, and I just have to remember the warm, witty humor of the guy. Another one of the Good Dead Ones.
Mitch Hedburg, rest in peace. It seems like you got little enough of it in these last years.
53 - Dave
My wife and I are huge Mitch fans. We've seen him on TV several times, have his CDs, and saw him at the Tempe Improv last summer.
We also were at the September show at Celebrity Theater in Tempe.
I've read the previous comments, and I particularly take offense to the people who insist that those of us who didn't enjoy that show haven't seen enough of Mitch to "get it". You're all dead wrong.
One person even commented that, had they been there, they would have thought it hilarious to see a wasted Mitch trying to make out with an audience member. If that's the case, then you're completely twisted. That bit wasn't funny at all, and nearly the entire audience was booing him to get his ass back on stage and perform.
If you enjoy seeing an obviously drunk guy (and no, not just ACTING drunk) pick up pills that folks throw onto the stage, toss them in his mouth with no hesitation or examination of them, and wash them down with alcohol, with no concern of what it's going to do to them, then you're probably the same type of individual who gets off on watching people die in things like "Faces of Death". Mitch's on-stage self-destruction was like watching a guy commit a slow painful suicide. It was as though he didn't care what happened to himself. I remarked to my wife on the way home that night that "I wouldn't be surprised to see a story in tomorrow's paper that he'd been admitted to the hospital for an overdose." I was relieved to see no such headline, though.
Today, after discussing favorite comedians and describing Mitch's work, I visited his website to show my friend what Mitch looked like and learned of his death. It gave me chills...but I guess a part of me wasn't surprised.
Mitch, I know your loved ones are probably asking themselves what they could have done differently to have kept you here. My prayers go out to them, but you chose your own path, even though I'm sure it must have been an attempt to escape whatever emotional pain you had. You probably had no idea how close you were to killing yourself.
If nothing else, Mitch, maybe your death will wake up a few folks and keep them from getting in over their heads with drugs. Your comedy will live on in our hearts, but I hope the story of your life, self-destruction, and untimely demise will as well. We need to be reminded of how fragile our lives really are...and at least, thanks to you, we can laugh about most of it.
Humor is the best drug, and hopefully the only one to which I'll ever be addicted.
RIP, Mitch.
54 - dave's wife
To piggyback my husband's comments above, Mitch was one of the funniest comedians I ever saw live (at the Tempe Improv) and one of the saddest downspirals I've ever observed (Celebrity show). The show at the Celebrity was not just part of the act as posted by Brett, it was incredibly embarrassing and appalling to watch. I WILL miss seeing Mitch again and now can only wish that someone close to him could have reached him in time. I chose to remember him as the endearing, shy, incredibly funny entertainer who had me rolling in laughter one night in Tempe and keeps me laughing no matter how many times I listen to his cds.
I am tired of losing great entertainers to drinking, drugs and other stupidity, and although I've been know to laugh at drug/alcohol jokes, it's rapidly becoming not funny anymore.
Mitch, hope they're all laughing with you at the comedy club in the sky and you get to cuddle with the Koalas all night...
55 - JR
Damn Mitch. I never had the opportunity to see you live but loved your comedy. I came across his work TOTALLY at random. Searched "comedy" on download program and got his Mitch all together cd. Have since bought both albums and the dvd. This guy laughed about the same things that I do!! He had me rolling with tears as he first started giving Chuck instructions not fuck up because they were making a cd tonight and to kick the Bass up as the jokes went down and he had a lifelong fan when he helped a friend stay put. I was telling a friend about Mitch this weekend and that they had to hear him when they said yeah, he's the one who just died right? Damn Mitch. Anyway, I am rambling but just wanted to say that I have never heard anyone like Mitch, and his issues won't lessen the loss.
56 - dan
Dave,
mitchs passing woke me up. here is an email i sent to mitchs family (in which they promptly replied with great words as well)
"Lynne and family
My name is Danny Angeline. I am 23 and live just outside
Philadelphia. Mitch played a large role in my life, past and present.
He has been my favorite stand up for many years, since I first saw him
on Comedy Central. I would watch and listen to his act numerous times
daily, whether it be to get me out of a funk I was in or for sheer
enjoyment of laughter. I only got to see him perform live once a few
months back. Unfortunately, Mitch and I shared the same vice in life.
My 3 year habit started to get the best of me lately. Things were
getting pretty low all acorss the board. Waking up on April 1st was an
awful day for me. So for the next few days I sat in my room listening
to Mitch. The only time I would leave was to go see the man on the
corner to get the bags i would need for the remainder. Then on April
15 I realized I could not go on living the life I was living. I had to
get things cleaned up. Instead of sitting there wallowing in my
sorrows I checked myself into rehab. I was there for 12 days and today
I am celebrating 21 days clean. I just wanted to let you know that
Mitch has effected my life very much and I wish i could share this
story with him as well. I hope that my story will help shed a ray of
sunlight on your day. My family is also aware of the role that Mitch
played in my life and my recent decisions to get clean. I hope all is
as well as it can be for you.
Love,
Danny A"
TODAY I AM CELEBRATING AND ENJOYING 38 DAYS SOBER WITH AMAZING FAMILY AND FREINDS
57 - dan
oooops...didnt mean to leave my last name in there...stay clean
-dan
58 - Dr.B
Like Dan, I too listened to Mitch CDs for days after I learned of his passing. Through his lifes work, he has and will always be able to make me,my friends, and family smile and laugh out loud. What a wonderful contribution to the world.
Thanks man.
59 - Mark Vincent
Mitch was on comedy central a half hour ago,I screamed to girlfriend to hurry up and get in here(the living room)to watch him.I also called my sister to tell her to watch because I bragged about him so much.Then she dropped the bombshell....."you know he's dead dont you?"I couldn't believe it!I immediately scoured the net for details and came upon this forum.
How sad to read this....I'm shocked and in disbelief.
I have cleaned up from alcohol(5 months on July 5th)and have been to rehabs and such many times.And that was just booze.I was an in the entertainment industry as well and know how hard it is to be under pressure to perform for others all the time,having doubts about yourself,and using a substance(any substance)to "take the edge off".I almost died during widthdrawl seizures more than once....I was VERY lucky.My heart goes out to Mitches' wife and family.
60 - dig
Damn.
61 - adam
damn is fucking right.
62 - bell
You know what's more sickening than a celebrity making a mistake and botching a performance? Anybody posting here concerned about the money spent on the show. Priorities people. Oh and 'Brian' you wish you had brought your kinds to that show! Shame on you, you don't deserve your kids.
63 - Tom Johnson
So, bell, by your comment, the performer is not to be held responsible when his addiction destroys a performance? That's perfectly okay to you?
64 - Jean Bailey
We saw Mitch perform in Columbus back in February. He absolutely KILLED. My son and I laughed so hard tears were coming form our eyes. It was a special occasion for us because my son was home from the Army and when my sister and her husband couldn't make the show, she gave her tickets to my son and his girl (I suspect she really could go, but knowing my son would be deploying in a few months and loved Mitch so much...). Anyway, my sister went to see him in March or April in Cleveland, and he was an enebriated mess. I had no idea Mitch has such a drug problem... what a complete waste. But I'll never forget that cold night in February, when I laughed so hard my ribs hurt by the end of the show. RIP, Mitch.
65 - keith
i saw mitch 3 times. he destroyed every time i saw him. hilarious comedian, tragic loss, we will never forget him.
66 - Tom Morello
No comedian will ever be able to make another joke about buying something as simple as a donut. Good bye Mitch
67 - Don
Reading the early posts it is sad to think about the way he went out. Its too bad nobody stepped in when the signs were clearly there that he was spiraling out of control. I'm glad I didn't witness one of his later shows if this is how he was performing. I DO wish I had seen him earlier when he was on top of his game. Sadly I never got the chance. He was a brilliant comic, and there are very few of them, especially now. One of the first posts is very ominous, refering to him canceling what would have been his last string of shows the last week on March due to an "illness". If only we had known.
68 - Stewie
As I read through all these comments before I had got down to 67. I had to think, "couldn't anyone see this coming?" Who was around him? Didn't Mitch say he read this stuff himself? Hasn't anyone in the entertainment business seen this pattern before?....How about John Belushi, Chris Farley? This was preventable.....clearly! His death is on the heads of the people who were making money off Mitch's back. "The show must go on" is bullshit, if those people had any vision they would see that shutting down and getting healthy would have been best for everyone involved in the long run, especially Mitch!!
I'm sorry for the loss.
Keepm' laughin' up there Mitch.
Peace
69 - aaron
I found out tonight on Comedy Central's show with Dane Cook and Dave Attell that Mitch was gone. I was in total shock. I absolutely loved his stuff and had to get myself off the floor after hearing it. I made my wife listen to him and she became a fan as well. Unfortunatly, he will go down as another one "lost to drugs". Too bad Mitch, you could have been one of those come back stories...Now you'll get to find out what seseme seeds turn into, in fact i'll plant one in your honor. You are and will be dearly missed. See you dude.
70 - aaron
I found out tonight on Comedy Central's show with Dane Cook and Dave Attell that Mitch was gone. I was in total shock. I absolutely loved his stuff and had to get myself off the floor after hearing it. I made my wife listen to him and she became a fan as well. Unfortunatly, he will go down as another one "lost to drugs". Too bad Mitch, you could have been one of those come back stories...Now you'll get to find out what seseme seeds turn into, in fact i'll plant one in your honor. You are and will be dearly missed. See you dude.
71 - Cuz'n Larry
First time I saw Mitch, was at Letterman. I thought his humour was so refreshing and sharp. I'm from Holland, and I stumbled upon a site with his clips today, laughing so hard again, I went to search for a DVD, but instead I just found out he died. So sad he's gone, he could have been one of the big ones! I mean if even a guy from Holland likes his material, than who doesn't...
In how much pain was he, to lose control over his life......
72 - No1 special
Maybe mitch's botched stage performance was his way of pleading for help? Mitch was one of the finest men I had ever met. Yes, I knew him.
I knew mitch briefly in life in an airport cafe. He asked me if he could borrow the "Slow-down" and I sat there with a confused expression on my face. He said that everything in life was always pushing forward, even ketchup.
He sat and talked with me shortly, mostly about life and the funny things we see everyday. I didn't even know who he was, I just thought he was a rather intresting person, who made me feel as if we were old friends.
Later on, I sat watching comedy central and was shocked to see the same man who asked for the "Slow-down" standing on stage performing. A smile came across my face, knowing that, That young man made it.
To hear of his passing was a sad day for me. He was a comedic genius and the world was a better place because of him, if only for a short time.
73 - Kristi
I am a stand-up comic. It is brutal business- there is nothing to hide behind: its just you...and if you're not "killin'" the audience, the comedy's killin' you. RIP, Mitch, Bless you, you brilliant dumb jerk! You took yourself away from us much too soon and shame on you for that.
74 - Tony Sanchez
I think Alcool was not the main probleme with Mitch. I didn't know him until today and after the special 30 minutes I've just seen, I wanted to contact him through his website and found out about him being gone. Being "the funny guy" for some people is the only way to exorcise your lonelyness and sadness. I wish all the best for his loved ones.
R.I.P Mitch Hedberg.
75 - Jens
Living in Denmark I never had the chance to see him a/live.
I remember seeing him the first time on David Letterman, I especially broke down after: 'Throw the ball back to Jimmy?' Not many know of him around here, but I can't help quoting his outrageous observations, now and then. My all time favourite in this black'n white world is: 'I used to play in a Death Metal band. People either loved us or they hated us...or they just thought we were "okay".'
Mitch's comedy spoke directly to my subtle, shy and wondering humor, learning of his deroute and death is heartbreaking news. As the class clown, I know being the funny guy can take it's toll and I've also struggled with addiction. Family and friends can only do so much, kicking an addiction isn't something people can do for you.
Loved and missed - RIP.