May 18-24, 2006
The Agenda : Agenda Picks
Accidental TouristBill Burr
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Mike Birbiglia, Bill Burr and Greg Giraldo, Fri., May 19, 8:30 p.m., $32.50, Electric Factory, Seventh and Willow sts., 215-336-2000
Bill Burr. Recognize the name? Maybe the face? He doesn't sweat it.
"I have a cool level of notoriety," says Burr. "People look at me and say, 'Are you an actor? Are you a comedian? Do you juggle?' They know they've seen me do something."
The Boston native and former Chappelle's Show regular recently hosted a "Live at Gotham" Comedy Central special, but as a veteran of several Philly comedy venues, his list of superlatives for our city goes way past complaints about "the time when the Flyers wore slacks."
Favorite Part About Sharing Philly's Inferiority Complex: I'm always noticing how similar Philly and Boston fans are. That underdog thing just breeds humor. I haven't seen it anywhere else in this country and it's just something I identify with.
Least Favorite Thing About Philly's ID: I hate the whole Ben Franklin, Betsy Ross, City of Brotherly Love, powdered-wig crap. It's just phony. They're like the original owners of Wal-Mart. Ben Franklin would have been in a luxury box, so I got no love for that guy.
Favorite Thing About Playing the Electric Factory: Athletes, comedians, actorswe all want to be something else. You feel like a rock star there because you're in a club that usually [hosts] bands.
Worst Thing to Say to a Philly Audience: You'd really have to do a lot to shock somebody from Philly. "Fuck the Eagles"that would probably result in instantaneous death.
Lamest Part About Philadelphia's Continued Association With Rocky: It's like the whole pride of the city is built around a guy who didn't exist. You guys got Joe Frazier. He's a legitimate heavyweight champion. And he doesn't have a statue. I bet that makes him angry.

