Tonight at 7 p.m., the Campus Activities Board will introduce comedian Michael Jr., who will perform in the Administration Auditorium to raise funds for the Timothy Hill Children’s Ranch.
Michael Jr. is a Christian comedian who has been featured on “The Tonight Show,” Comedy Central, “Jimmy Kimmel Live” and CNN. Michael Jr. has also performed at some of the most prestigious comedy clubs in the country, as well as at major universities all over the United States.
Aside from performing on major TV networks and universities, Michael Jr. also frequently performs at churches.
His diverse style allows him to be clean enough to perform at churches, while being funny enough to perform at comedy clubs.
Michael Jr. has also started a nonprofit organization called Michael Jr. 1722, based on Proverbs 17:22, which reads: “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.” On his website, michaeljr.com, Michael Jr. said this organization was created to “make laughter commonplace in uncommon places.”
The proceeds from this organization are given toward helping those in homeless shelters, prisons, child abuse shelters, halfway houses and others.
The purpose of Michael Jr.’s show at Harding is to also help raise awareness for the Timothy Hill Children’s Ranch, a ranch in New York that provides shelter for young children from abusive households.
Andrew Baker, director for the Center of Leadership and Ministry, said he met Michael Jr. at an event called Shockwave, where the two became friends. Baker not only spoke highly of Michael Jr.’s comedic routine, but of his character off stage as well.
“Michael Jr. is a great comedian but an even better man,” Baker said. “His humor is not just a part of a routine; he is always funny and encouraging. In a time in which most comedy is not very clean, Jr. is breath of fresh air. He proves that you can be both clean and funny.”
Several students have been to Jr.’s act before at various events. Junior Will Anderson said he saw his act at the Winterfest youth rally in February of last year.
“He incorporated a lot of Christian themes and biblical references in his routine, and it was awesome to hear a comedian who can do that and still be funny,”Anderson said. “I’ve never heard anything like it before, and I’m looking forward to hearing his new material.”
Senior Michelle Cascio said she watched Michael Jr. perform last semester in Dallas, Texas, with a group of Harding students from her Christian Media Ethics class.
“It was really great to sit and watch a Christian man with a strong faith give such a hilarious and entertaining show,” Cascio said. “His jokes were mostly on Christian culture and the funny things that go on in churches every Sunday morning. He even worked a devotional thought into his comedy sketch routine. I am definitely planning on seeing him in action again tonight.”
Tickets for Michael Jr.’s show are $15 for students and $25 to the general public. They can be purchased online at hardingcabtickets.universitytickets.com.
