I, for one, welcome our simulation overlords after they forced me to watch Steph Tolev.

Maybe it was God, or maybe it was the universe. More than likely, it was an ever evolving algorithm in the matrix-esque simulation we most likely live in, but no matter what it was, it really wanted me to know about Steph Tolev.

 All in one fateful day, the algorithm sent me an alert for a new Whiskey Ginger podcast episode featuring Steph Tolev, a message from stand-up comic Emily Grefer telling me to watch Steph at the improv this weekend, a clip on FB (millennial/boomer alert) from Bill Burr Presents: Friends Who Kill: Steph Tolev, and lastly, an IG post to purchase tickets to the Addison Improv, where Steph would be performing that weekend.

 Jesus fucking simulated universe! Ok, I’ll buy a ticket already. Now back off, please. I miss the good old days when the data collection was a little more subtle.

 Fast forward to Saturday, and I’m gasping for air watching Steph perform her final set of the weekend. The late Saturday crowd is drunk, rowdy, and weird. They also won’t stop randomly shouting out what they think is a funny addition to Steph’s punchline (it never is).

 Meanwhile, Steph is as comfortable as she could possibly be amongst the chaos. The room is a mix of heckles, prepared material, crowd work, energetic act-outs, and the occasional moment where Steph shows us that her green romper unzips at the crotch as she aggressively unzips and zips it repeatedly.

 This leads her into an act out where she demonstrates how her romper’s unique vaginal accessibility would allow her to back up to a urinal to experience how men pee while simultaneously weirding them out. 

 Insert another weird crowd heckle of “that’s sexy!" Again, the heckle is rarely as funny as you think it’s going to be.

 Most of her set is filled with vulgar and beyond inappropriate premises that are often based on her real-life experiences. There are plenty of groans and grimaces throughout the entire set, but she’s not saying anything just for the sake of shock value. It’s always anchored in silliness.

 Steph’s demeanor on stage reminds me of those clips you watch when an Oklahoma resident hears the tornado siren going off. Instead of hiding in a closet, they run outside to video it while yelling at their neighbor (who’s doing the exact same thing) “Hell yeah! You see the size of that thing?!?”

 She appears to relish in the thrill of the mayhem even though she knows that it could also make her show fall apart at any moment.

 While many would argue that you shouldn’t watch this type of show if you clutch your pearls and gasp when profanity is used, I would argue that you should watch Steph anyway. Although she is vulgar and shocking, she is never judgmental or insulting to her audience. Every crazy thing that comes out of her mouth has only one intention, to make you laugh.

 Besides, comedy clubs have always been a great place to stretch the limits of society’s conversational taboos, and Steph is the perfect comic to break you out of that stuffy shell. You’ll leave her show thinking, “What the hell did I just hear?”

while also thinking, “That was incredible!”

 The show was such an onslaught of endless laughter that I could barely comprehend what had happened to me. It wasn’t until I was driving home that I could fully process what makes Steph so special.

 In my opinion, she has a great combination of well written material, a commanding presence, and phenomenal act-outs. 

 Her onstage awareness of and confidence in her own body creates physically comedic moments that I would easily place alongside greats like Chris Farley and, dare I say, Lucille Ball? Yes, I dare to say it.

 Steph may never be on SNL or have her own sitcom, but I stand by the comparison of physical commitment. Only the deranged and confident are willing to sacrifice the public appearance of their body in the way Steph does just to make you giggle. 

 At no time was she afraid to squat, lunge, or hunker down in an awkward and unflattering position. She would occasionally sprint across the stage while thrusting her vagina towards the audience.

 My favorite part of the show included one of these small act-outs. Steph had a hilarious bit about the "me too" movement in which she repeatedly lunges while thrusting her arm upwards with a thumbs up to mimic how she used to shove a thumb in the assholes of various boyfriends in her past without their consent.

 The joke was funny, but the addition of an act out had me hunched over in laughter.I admit that I have since attempted to retell that joke with the act out, and it did not go as planned.

So what's the big deal? She’s funny and does some funny act-outs on stage. Why should you go watch her perform?

 To be honest, Stephanie is performing at a time when comedy is extremely popular and, at times, watered down. Combine that with social media’s ever-looming influence, and there are a lot of “comics” that start by being famous on social media first and then start performing stand-up after they have their audience.

 There are also others that are genuinely working on their craft and somehow go viral, which causes them to rise a little faster than their abilities should allow.

 Financially, both are great situations, but comedically, it's a bust. Just because you can sell out the club and the theater doesn’t mean you have the material to give the people a great show. 

 However, Steph is a prime example of a veteran comic who has put in the work to not only sell the tickets, but also put on the phenomenal show that you recap at work on Monday.

 Steph Tolev is the comedian whose show you should watch when you spend your hard-earned money on a night out in a world full of TikTok comics and flash in the pan fame.

 So once again, I’d like to thank the algorithm, and possibly the folks controlling our simulated universe, for force-feeding me content involving Steph Tolev.

 Most of the time you annoy the shit out of me, but this time you nailed it. If your work continues to improve and leads me to similar experiences like Steph’s standup, then I’ll be happy to sign up for the brain implant when it arrives! Beep boop beep boop, or whatever it is y’all say for "have a nice day!"

Thanks for reading! If you enjoy music and comedy please follow this link and subscribe to my podcast. -Travis Wright