Kevin Nealon — you may have seen him lately and not even have realized it.
In his latest roll on Showtime’s TV series “Weeds,” Nealon plays Doug Wilson, a pot-smoking, married suburban dad whose unaware of his teenage son’s drug dealings and homosexuality. It’s comedy about suburban life.
Or you may remember him from his nine-year streak on Saturday Night Live from 1986-1995. Nealon, known best for playing characters like the Subliminal Man, Hans and Franz and a Weekend Update anchor, could surprise the SMU crowd with a few throwback jokes when he takes the McFarlin Auditorium stage tonight at 7 p.m. as part of Mustang Stampede, a weekend-long celebration kicking off the new school year.
Ed Board recommends an early arrival at McFarlin in order to avoid such horrors as long lines, back-of-the-room seating, or — a particularly daunting experience for first-years — viewing the stand-up routine without your new AARO and Mustang Corral buddies.
Nealon joins fellow comedians Jim Brewer (2002), Darrell Hammond (2003) and Jamie Kennedy (2004) as high-profile names to grace the Hilltop in mid-August, continuing a tradition of first-weekend activities put on by Program Council and the Office of New Student Programs.
But remember that the SNL alum is not the only headliner this weekend. After you attend Nealon’s stand-up, Ed Board recommends checking out the carnival and Taste of Dallas, occurring on the Main Quad tonight.
We suggest you challenge your roommate to a gladiator fight or fill up on multiple samples of free food; Ed Board also advises that you avoid participating in both activities back to back.
Tomorrow, when you shake off the effects of a stomach full of food and drink, mosey on down to Ford Stadium for the annual Red and Blue Scrimmage. Members of the SMU football team will give fans a sneak preview of the season to come as they are pitted against one another in one of the Hilltop’s growing traditions. A kick-off ceremony will be held at 5:30 p.m.
So look past the traditional collegiate staples of parties, pre-parties, and pre-pre-parties this weekend.
Mix and mingle with your fellow Mustangs while enjoying free food, fun, and comedy at the same time. After all, we’re here for upwards of half a decade — why not remember some parts of the journey?
