BEATROUTE MAGAZINE AB EDITION JANUARY 2019

livereviews
Between a sock and a hard place.
PHOTO: T. HATTER
ED THE SOCK
Dickens Pub
Dec. 6, 2018
In the beginning, Ed the Sock was a low-budget gag. A crappy sock
puppet spitting hardened opinions perfectly capturing the jaded
‘90s ethos of putting big messages in stripped down packages. The
disarming notion of taking a whimsical symbol, the sock puppet,
and having it tell dirty jokes worked so well Ed became a mainstay
on MuchMusic and bona fide B-list icon. After 10 years of being
lost in the dryer, Ed the Sock has returned with a live show called
“The War on Stupid.” A coast-to-coast show that is eager to highlight
absurdities in politics, pop culture and hotel room cleanliness.
After riffing on Canada’s leadership, and pointing out Trudeau’s
suspect habit of showboating his progressiveness, our grouchy host
points out the real meaning of “stupidity.” It’s not about ones IQ,
it’s about willfully operating on a lower level. It’s when someone
knows they’re being “an idiot” and yet they do it anyway. Ed cut
the bullshit and got right to the point with criticisms on outrage
culture, the alt-right all while taking playful jabs at Calgary’s national
image leaving no political leaning unscathed. The show highlights
that often, the truth hurts, but the beauty of wrapping it in
comedy is that it doesn’t have to be cruel. We can find connection
in the knowledge that we are all a bit warped, shrug our shoulders
and swallow the bitter pill easier with a laugh.
• Trevor Hatter
CALGARY’S PREMIER THRIFT BOUTIQUE
Meticulously Selected Fashions and so much more
Supporting the Calgary Community and Local Charities since 2007
Look Good, Feel Good and Do Good for the Environment
Urban Thrift is recognized by the Alberta Recycling Council
Gently Used Clothing and Small Houseware Donations accepted
www.urbanthrift.ca 3434 - 34 Ave NE 403 769-1934
BEATROUTE • JANUARY 2019 | 45