Tracy Morgan Rocks Cornell
Let go of your inhibitions. That’s what Tracy Morgan wants you to do.
That was the message that the star of “30 Rock” and “Saturday Night Live” imparted to those at Cornell University’s Bailey Hall in a performance on April 13.
Morgan’s appearance came a mere few days after “30 Rock” returned to the airwaves following a three month hiatus due to the Writers Guild of America strike. On the show, Morgan plays Tracy Jordan, a dim-witted, washed-up movie star — but that was a far cry from the Tracy that appeared on the stage at Cornell.
Instead, this Tracy was wild, vulgar and improvisational. He careened wildly and unpredictably from topics such as politics and race to others like superheroes, technology and the difficulties of marriage. In a slight concession to audience expectations, Morgan even trotted out brief impressions of Brian Fellows and Astronaut Jones, two of his most beloved characters from “Saturday Night Life,” to the great delight of the crowd.
Morgan seemed most interested, however, in discussing sex and drugs, both of which he talked about at great length. These sections of the show, which found Morgan being particularly crude and salacious and playing specifically to his college-age audience, appeared to offend several members of the crowd as some proceeded to walk out of the show.
Mostly, however, the near-sellout crowd seemed to enjoy Morgan’s routine, and rewarded him with frequent, raucous bouts of laughter.
Perhaps most surprising were the quieter moments of the show. At regular intervals, Morgan slowed down his antics to implore of his audience that they live their lives to the fullest.
“This is the best age of your lives, so go out and have as much fun as you can,” he said.
He urged those in the crowd to chase their dreams, no matter how seemingly far-fetched and to always challenge authority.
“Never listen to anyone over 30,” he said.
At the end of Morgan’s set, which clocked in at a lean 85 minutes, students leaving the theater were pleased with what they’d seen.
“That was amazing. I love Tracy Morgan,” said David Staas, a Binghamton University student in attendance at the show. His companion, Max Kostow, fervently agreed.
This was Morgan’s second performance at Cornell. Judging by the enthusiastic response of the audience, it will likely not be his last. However, according to Justine Fields, head of programming at Cornell, his next performance will not be for at least four years, as per the University’s general programming guidelines.
But if the laughter of the audience on April 13 was any indication, Morgan will eventually return, and his next performance is one to look forward to.