Satire gets the laughs

by Kim Smith
For The Post

Equipped with a grand piano and a sense of humor, Mark Russell claimed the stage last night at Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium.

The Kennedy Lecture Series brought Russell, a political satirist, to Ohio University, lecture series spokesman Don Jordan said. The series seeks out nationally known speakers. The challenge for Russell was to overcome national mourning.

Russell's performance emphasized general politics.

He said he tried not to trivialize the terrorist actions.

"The show was edited since the attacks," he said. "Now it's an 8.5-minute show, without the Bush jokes."

His show, usually a critical analysis of politics, began on a serious note.

"Under normal circumstances, which these are not, I would make fun of the president, no matter what the political party," Russell said. "People just aren't in the mood right now."

Yesterday afternoon, Russell talked with College of Communication students and faculty, journalism professor Dru Riley Evarts said. Russell discussed everything from political correctness to the role of satire in society.

"Political correctness started on college campuses in the '80s," Russell said. "A president of a university didn't have time to do anything besides making a blanket statement. It's a meaningless expression."

The political songwriter appears about 100 times a year in different venues. He also appears on CNN, writes a syndicated column and has live specials on PBS called "The Mark Russell Comedy Special."

Russell, from Buffalo, N.Y., started his career in the Carroll Arms Hotel bar – across the street from the Capitol Building in Washington. At the time, he was not in tune with politics.

Evarts first saw Russell perform in the Shoreham Hotel in Washington. From 1961 to 1981, Russell was the featured entertainer. He did three shows a night, six days a week.

"His performances are so funny," Evarts said. "He always has a quick one."