Lisa Laugh-A-Lotti

Despite the fact that the Ryman Auditorium was built originially as a church and the foul-mouthed "Queen of Mean" (Lisa Lampanelli) took the stage last night, the roof did not fall in nor did the ground open up and swallow us whole. Yes, Lisa's jokes are mostly dirty, controversial at times and mostly based on stereotypes - but it's all in good fun - no one is left out of her insult barrage (including her boyfriend, big stars she has hobnobbed with and herself). She's a rare breed these days in the world of comedy, and perhaps the purveyor of a dying art. She's a pure insult comic , and if you don't get it, then you won't like her. But that's OK, because it leaves better tickets for us! We had tremendous seats just three rows off the stage (note to selves: Row D - Seats 1 and 2 are the bomb!! Too bad they weren't selling PSLs to the Ryman last night because we would have snatched these seats up!) While it wasn't a sell-out, the crowd there was boisterous, appreciative and interestly weird (ask us about the 6'-tall transvestite on the front row named "Daisy" sometime). We met our friend, Nate, at the 12 South Tap Room for some great beer and a delicious dinner beforehand (see Rob's beer blog for more details). We had planned to hit The Big Bang Dueling Piano Bar afterwards, but Ashlee's nursing a "Bonnaroo injury" that's slowing us down a bit, so we headed home a little early instead. Thanks, Lisa, for a great evening of laughs. You are one funny big-ass wop broad! Oh, sorry, "wop" is probably offensive to a guinea like you's.