Comedian Eric O'Shea had Saint Mary's students in stitches Wednesday as he performed his routine in Carroll Auditorium, sponsored by the Student Activities Board (SAB).
O'Shea has been nominated for College Performer of the Year five times.
"I say that humbly [referring to his five nominations] — I expect the very best out of myself every show and want to leave a great impression," he said. "I am very proud to be around after 17 years and to be working so much and, as I say, it is not hard to get there, it's hard to stay there."
Along with his five nominations, O'Shea has over 4 million hits on YouTube, has received a rave review from Steven Spielberg and was able to present at the Creative Emmys with Betty White, who he calls, "my golden girl."
O'Shea said he has performed at colleges around the country for 17 years and has done about 60 shows a year since 1996.
"I became a comic because my thoughts could not survive in a nine-to-five world," he said. "I'm curiously opinionated."
Even though O'Shea has performed all over the country, he said he does not have a favorite place to do his act.
"I love what I do and to share my thoughts with young minds," he said. "I don't have a favorite place, although there is nothing like a show where the chemistry is perfect."
O'Shea said his writing is for everyone — young and old, male and female. While he does not write for the college market specifically, he said his material fits in really well.
"[The college market] seems to be a good fit where they appreciate wit, pg-13, unique humor with a sizzle factor," he said. "Colleges keep you honest. You can't get away with cheap club bits and the students are privy to the very best, have a little swagger and have seen it all in terms of entertainment.
"It is a frustrated, self-deprecating look at everyday life with random ideas and thoughts thrown in for fun. It moves fast and keeps you relating."
SAB member senior Allie Courtney said the group brought O'Shea to campus in an effort to make February a month full of fun.
"This semester we really tried to up our events in February and offer a different event every Wednesday," she said. "February can be the worst month on campus with the weather and no break so we are just trying to make it better."
This month, SAB has also shown the film "The Help," hosted a tie-dye event and will show the film "50/50" next week.
