Just Do It

Bill Burr

by Ben Kharakh

Thu., May 1, 8 p.m.; Fri., May 2, 8 and 10:30 p.m.; Sat., May 3, 7, 9:15 and 11:30 p.m.; $27.50-$32.50, Helium Comedy Club, 2031 Sansom St., 215-496-9001, heliumcomedy.com

A YouTube search can reveal a lot about a comedian. Bill Burr has the standard Letterman and HBO clips, but first on the list is a now-legendary 2006 performance in Philly. After getting booed, he mercilessly and hilariously abandoned his material to verbally pummel an audience of thousands. After more than 10 minutes, he exited to a standing ovation.

City Paper: Do you ever get any flak for what you talk about?

Bill Burr: There's always somebody who might say, "My cousin just got electrocuted by a toaster. I can't believe you're talking about toasters." I had a girl come up to me last night and say, "I don't really think I appreciate your style of comedy." Yeah, let me know when you come to your final decision.

CP: Have you decided on a name of your upcoming comedy special?

BB: Yeah, it's going to be called "Why Do I Do This?" That's a thought I've had a number of times when I've been backstage before going on in some impossible situation, like this college gig where I was standing out in the hallway to do a show in front of three people. The classes let out halfway through the show. That's when I think, "Why do I do this? I could get a cubicle job and save myself a lot of stress and humiliation."