Hey, buuuuuuudy.
Crusty stoners of a certain age will recognize that as one of comedian Pauly Shore’s infinite catchphrases. But the curly-haired funnyman is more than just someone who’s out to get fresh nugs.
Shore comes from comedy royalty, the son of the late Mitzi Shore who had founded The Comedy Store in West Hollywood. After breaking into his mom’s industry as a stand-up comedian at age 17, Shore became one of MTV’s most popular VJs of the ’90s (you know, back when the channel aired music videos and hosts talked about them) and cultivated his popular “Weasel” persona, aka Wiezel.
He went on to star in classic comedies like Son in Law, Encino Man and Bio-Dome before eventually releasing Pauly Shore Is Dead in 2003. The mockumentary — which Shore wrote, directed and starred in — featured dozens of comedians, musicians and celebrities, including Clint Howard, Corey Feldman, Britney Spears and Dr. Dre.
Most of Shore’s audiences consume his act with appropriate ’90s reverence, but Shore has attention from the younger crowd, too. In 2020, Shore gave COVID-weary viewers a much-needed refuge in his web series Pauly Shore Is Quarantined with His Ex on Maui. Shore scripted the bite-sized, 12-episode show after heading to Maui to ride out the coronavirus lockdown with friends because, honestly, why wouldn’t you try to isolate in a beautiful place with people who make you laugh?
Naturally, Shore followed up Quarantined with some heavy breathing and short-shorts, leading viewers in mini-workouts in Sweatin’ with the Wiez. And after 19 months of COVID frustration, we were totally ready to wheeze that juice.
Pauly Shore will perform at the Funny Bone in Liberty Township at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 14. Doors open at 6 p.m., and only those ages 21 and up may enter. More info: liberty.funnybone.com.
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