Connolly returns to the Funny Bone

James P. Connolly makes his return to the Funny Bone Bloomington Comedy Club this week. Accompanying Connolly will be IU graduate Jamison Raymond and junior Josh Cocks. 

Connolly, a California native, said he enjoyed his last visit to Bloomington, especially the diversity of the audience. 

The show is 8 p.m. today, Friday and Saturday and 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Funny Bone Bloomington Comedy Club. Admission is $10 for the general public and $5 with a student ID.

“There is no place in California like Bloomington, Ind.,” Connolly said. “I loved that it was a mix. There was college students, there was non-college students, some of the locals came out. It was a lot of fun.”

Connolly has performed on both HBO and Comedy Central, been the host on the show “Movie Obsessions” on VH1 and makes frequent visits to “The Bob and Tom Show.” He also currently hosts a show on XM Radio called “Live from Here.” This week Connolly was voted No.1 in Sirius Radio’s “Chase to the Cup” competition, ahead of Ron White.

Connolly describes his routine as “smart-stupid” comedy that tends to be “self-focused.”

Some have related his comedy to the earlier works of Steve Martin, someone Connolly admits is one of his favorites. 

Before getting into comedy, Connolly was a disc jockey for bar mitzvahs, guided tours at Universal Studios and did other odd jobs.

“One time I drove a blind woman for 30 dollars to a medical appointment. Turns out, all she did was go and get stoned and kept saying she could see the lights changing colors,” he said.

Now, he has opened for both Dana Carvey and Robin Williams, just as Raymond and Cocks will now open for him.

Raymond, a three-time Bloomington’s Last Comic Standing winner, has opened for several acts at the Funny Bone, including Arj Barker,  and Tammy Pescatelli.  
Raymond said he tends to relate himself to comedian Chris Hardwick, and his “nerd comedy.” 

“I like talking about nerdy things, like video games, Dungeons and Dragons, Star Wars, because those are things I really love - but being a nerd is kind of cool,” Raymond said.

Cocks, similar to Raymond, is a regular performer at the Funny Bone and has appeared at Bear’s Place and periodically at Crackers Comedy Club in Indianapolis.

Cocks describes his comedy as observational humor people can relate to and likes to hit on a mix of topics, including anything from frat houses to Power Rangers.

He said he claims his style is similar to comics Greg Warren and Drew Hasting.

“Josh puts a lot of work into comedy and he really is just a funny kid.” said senior and Funny Bone comedian Tom Brady.