On the evening of Thursday, March 30, comedian and actress Loni Love dropped by for a visit to West Chester University. Loni Love, who was named one of Variety’s “10 Comics to Watch” in 2003, has worked routinely at the Comedy Store, Improv and the Ice House comedy clubs. She has also appeared on television in programs such as Comedy Central’s “Premium Blend” and “Weekend at the DL,” as well as Fox SportsNet “The Best Damn Sports Show Period” and VH-1’s “I Love the” series. Loni has also made the transition to the silver screen, with her debut in the independent film “With or Without You” and more recently, MGM’s “Soul Plane.”
As soon as Love walked through the doors of the Sykes ballroom, she was immediately greeted with applause and cheers from a wide variety of WCU students eager for some pre-weekend comedy. Their needs were well met, as Love had the audience rolling in laughter within moments of her arrival. She delivered quite a diverse comedy routine, opening up with her thoughts on American Idol being racist for never having a Caucasian male winner, and following up with her thoughts on events in the news, including the runaway bride and Dick Cheney.
Loni warned first-year students about the “Freshman 15,” openly stating that she herself had gained 86 pounds as a freshman, but made it clear that “skinny people need to leave us fat people alone!” She commented on her appearance on “I Love the 70’s,” “I Love the 80’s,” and “I Love the 90’s,” stating that “as long as there’s a paycheck, I’ll love the 1800’s!” Love also became very personal with the audience, addressing individuals, trying to match them up with one another and asking them questions about their class standing, major and even sexual orientation. “I don’t have a problem with lesbians,” she said, “That just means more men for me!”
The crowd was very warm and responsive to Love, and rewarded her with thunderous applause and cheers. Love stayed later to sign autographs, take pictures and to chat and mingle with the students.
When asked on her reaction to the WCU campus, she replied, “I think it’s a great community, but it needs more men!