PREVIEW: Neil Hamburger and Tim Heidecker at the Cedar 8/21/2015

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Offbeat comedy kings Neil Hamburger and Tim Heidecker will be visiting the Cedar this weekend and the only guaranty is that it will get bizarre. The two comedians are currently midway through an 18 city tour that began in San Diego and ends in Brooklyn, NY on Nov. 7th.
Neil Hamburger is actually a standup comedian character played by Gregg Turkington. Neil’s sweaty combover, downturned mouth, oversized glasses and outdated suit give you an image of Old Hollywood. This isn’t the glamorous and smooth talking Old Hollywood we have come to romanticize; he probably smells of stale cigarettes and last night’s cocktails. Hamburger is a hardened and spiteful comedian that seems to be eternally stuck in the cabana club comedy circuit. Even though he has performed on Jimmy Kimmel and Madison Square Garden, he seems to be jaded and resentful as much of his comedy is centered around celebrities and his ex-wife. Hamburger also hosts an online talk show, Poolside Chats with Neil Hamburger and has 12 full-length comedy albums.

Tim Heidecker has been a very busy man. He burst onto the comedy scene in nearly a decade ago, leaving his eccentric mark wherever he goes. He appears on numerous TV shows, as well as his own shows Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! (2007) and Bedtime Stories (2013). He starred in The Comedy (2012) and directed Tim and Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie (2012). One of his biggest commercial successes was directing the non-sequitur heavy Old Spice commercials starring Terry Crews. He has a burgeoning career behind and in front of a camera with comedy partner Eric Wareheim, but he is no stranger to performing live. Heidecker has performed for many years and is a master of absurdity and discomfort. It may be described as cringe-comedy, but that doesn’t do justice to the preparedness and purpose behind his act. He will butcher the punch lines as his shaky hands clutch a crinkled Post-It note, but always remember this is a trained professional and he knows what he is doing.

If you are a fan of comedy then this show is a rare opportunity. There are very few comedians who can capture the absurdity and bizarre tone that these two thrive in. If this is your first time experiencing Neil Hamburger or Tim Heidecker just sit back and embrace the unique discomfort of these talented comedians.

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