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'Friday' actor coming to Funny Bone

September 04, 2008 @ 12:00 AM

BILL ROSENBERGER

The Herald-Dispatch

HUNTINGTON -- The name John Witherspoon may not ring a bell, but when you see his picture, visions of the movies "Friday," "Next Friday" and "The Friday After Next" all come back.

Other than Ice Cube, Witherspoon was the only actor to appear in all three "Friday" movies, and his character, Mr. Jones, became so popular that his salary increased from $10,000 for the first film to $1 million by the third.

Witherspoon is headlining six shows this weekend at the Funny Bone Comedy Club at Pullman Square, starting with a 7:30 show Thursday night, 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. shows both Friday and Saturday and a 7 p.m. show Sunday evening.

The 66-year-old said age hasn't slowed him down. Touring, he said, is great money. But it also keeps him moving.

"It keeps me alive and moving around," he said from his California home last Wednesday after getting his 12-year-old son out the door for his first day of the new school year. "I play a lot of basketball, and I run track while my son practices football."

And his stand-up shows remain in demand, with a lot of credit going to cable networks, he said. Shows that wrapped up years ago and movies that were hits last decade still get a lot of play, which creates a new fan every time they air.

"TV keeps me young and relevant," Witherspoon said.

And his audience keeps getting younger, as the Cartoon Network's "The Boondocks" gets ready for a third season. Witherspoon plays Robert "Granddad" Freeman, a role that his stand-up audiences can relate to.

"I'm always somebody's uncle or granddaddy or daddy," he said.

Witherspoon said his show is relevant to any audience because it's about life. He talks about traveling through airports, shopping at Sam's Clubs, his family, humidity and global warming. He also sings and does a few impressions, as well recants some of the movie lines that helped make him famous.

Witherspoon also has appeared in "Boomerang," "House Party" and "Soul Plane," as well as 99 episodes of "The Wayans Bros." from 1995-99.

He also appeared in Jay-Z's video for "I Just Wanna Luv U (Give It 2 Me)"" and in Field Mob's music video for "Sick of Being Lonely."

Tickets to the shows are $25 per person or $50 per person with dinner included. For tickets, call 304-781-1000.

Events

1940s Radio Hour
Thursday-Saturday, Dec. 4-6, and 11-13; matinee at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14. A "live" radio show with seven performances. Complimentary tickets offered to...

J. Chris Newberg
7:30 p.m. Thursday; 7:30 and 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4-7. A refreshing smart and edgy humor, delivered with a streetwise sense of philosophical...

First Friday and Second Look Saturday
5-9 p.m. every first Friday, 2-6 p.m. every first Saturday. Visit with Pendleton artists in their studios. Questions, call 606-920-9863.

Lions Arts and Crafts Show
4-9 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday; noon-5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5-7. Hosted by the Lesage and Southeast Huntington Lions Clubs. The juried show is filled with...

"The Nutcracker"
school matinee begins at 9:30 a.m. and regular show at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5. Ashland Youth Ballet presents their annual presentation of The Nutcracker. Questions...

Christmas Tour of Homes
11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; 1-6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6-7. Tour six outstanding homes in the Bellefonte area dressed for the holidays. Questions, call 606-329-8888 or visit...

2nd annual Holiday Candlelight Tour
2-7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7. A tour (inside and out) of eight prominent Huntington homes beautifully decorated for the holidays. Questions, call 304-733-ARTS.

Marshall Artists Series: "Wizard of Oz"
7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9. A spectacular celebration of the iconic 1939 MGM film, "The Wizard of Oz." Tickets, call 304-696-3326 or visit www.marshallartistsseries.org.

16th annual Joy to the World Holiday Concert
8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11; doors open at 7:30 p.m. Featuring Bob Thompson with guest vocalist Dwight Lenox. Tickets, visit www.mountainstage.musictoday.com or call...

"Cowboy" Bill Martin
7:30 p.m. Thursday, 7:30 and 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11-14. The Texas native, who has toured with some of the biggest names in country music,...

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"The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" is a fictional story that offers a unique perspective on how prejudice, hatred and violence affect innocent people, particularly children, during wartime. Through the lens of an eight-year-old boy largely shielded from the reality of World War II, we witness a forbidden friendship that forms between Bruno, the son of Nazi commandant, and Shmuel, a Jewish boy held captive in a concentration camp. Though the two are separated physically by a barbed wire fence, their lives become inescapably intertwined. The imagined story of Bruno and Shmuel sheds light on the brutality, senselessness and devastating consequences of war from an unusual point of view. Together, their tragic journey helps recall the millions of innocent victims of the Holocaust.

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Fathom presents an encore presentation of Berlioz's "La Damnation de Faust" in HD on the Big Screen! The encore presentation (captured live on Saturday, Nov. 22) will be shown for one day only on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2008, at 7 p.m. in all time zones. Robert Lepage, one of theater's most imaginative directors, applies his artistry to Berlioz's contemplation of good and evil. Using ethereal projections, Lepage has created a vision for "La Damnation de Faust" that seamlessly marries art and technology. Marcello Giordani stars in the title role opposite Susan Graham as Marguerite and John Relyea as Méphistophélès. James Levine conducts this rarely staged masterwork.

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Released 15-Nov-08. Runs 96 min.

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Seniors Troy and Gabriella face the prospect of being separated from one another as they head off in different directions to college. Joined by the rest of the Wildcats, they stage an elaborate spring musical reflecting their experiences, hopes and fears about their future. With incredible new music and exciting dance numbers designed to take maximum advantage of the big screen, this motion picture extravaganza delivers plenty of high-energy entertainment from East High's talented ensemble.

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In "Lakeview Terrace," a young couple has just moved into their California dream home when they become the target of their next-door neighbor, who disapproves of their interracial relationship. A stern, single father, this tightly wound LAPD officer has appointed himself the watchdog of the neighborhood. His nightly foot patrols and overly watchful eyes bring comfort to some, but he becomes increasingly harassing to the newlyweds. These persistent intrusions into their lives ultimately turn tragic when the couple decides to fight back.

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Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa

Released 7-Nov-08. Runs 89 min.

Alex, Marty, Melman, Gloria, King Julien, Maurice and the penguins and the chimps find themselves marooned on the distant shores of Madagascar. In the face of this obstacle, the New Yorkers have hatched a plan so crazy it just might work. With military precision, the penguins have repaired an old crashed planesort of. Once aloft, this unlikely crew stays airborne just long enough to make it to the wildest place of all--the vast plains of Africa, where the members of our zoo-raised crew encounter species of their own kind for the very first time. Africa seems like a great place--but is it better than their Central Park home?

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Released 7-Nov-08. Runs 95 min.

Danny and Wheeler trash a company truck on an energy drink-fueled bender. Upon their arrest, the court gives them a choice: do hard time or spend 150 service hours with a mentorship program. After one day with the kids, however, jail doesn't look half bad. Surrounded by annoying do-gooders, Danny struggles with his every neurotic impulse to guide Augie through the trials of becoming a man. Unfortunately, the guy just dumped by his girlfriend has only sarcasm to offer a bashful 16-year-old obsessed with medieval role play. Meanwhile, charming Wheeler tries to trade in an addiction to partying and women to assist a fifth-grader named Ronnie redirect his foul-mouthed ways. It would probably help if Ronnie's new mentor wasn't an overgrown adolescent whose idea of quality time includes keggers in Venice Beach. Once the center's ex-con director gives them an ultimatum, Danny and Wheeler are forced to tailor their brand of immature wisdom to their charges. And if they can just make it through probation without getting thrown in jail, the world's worst role models will prove that, sometimes, it takes a village idiot to raise a child.

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Released 26-Nov-08. Runs 100 min.

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Released 21-Nov-08. Runs 120 min.

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Rated PG-13 for some violence and a scene of sensuality

Dining

GOOD EATS: Rocco's Ristorante serves up Italian faves

November 27, 2008 @ 12:00 AM

CEREDO -- Rocco's Ristorante has been a favorite of the Tri-State since 1977. The restaurant continues to serve delicious Italian meals, which have attracted people from miles around.

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Courtesy/ Funny Bone

John Witherspoon, who has appeared in numerous movies and television shows, performs Thurdsay, Sept. 4 through Sunday, Sept. 7, at the Funny Bone comedy club at Pullman Square. His most recognizeable role was Mr. Jones in the movies "Friday," "Next Friday" and "Friday After Next."

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