When Carlos Mencia first brought racist road signs, Peter Boyle reading hate mail, and terrorist snacks to the American television audience in July of 2005, certain critics slagged him as Comedy Centrals cheap replacement for Dave Chappelle. No doubt, there were a few too many similarities between Mind of Mencia and Chappelles Show. The formula was obvious: Start with a standup-and-sketch format, swap nigger for wetback, shake for four weeks, then premiere. In the pilot, Mencia even tried to preempt the criticism with a knockoff title sequence and the objection: Stop! What am I, the resident beaner now? I'm supposed to sit around and tell jokes about burritos and tacos? In the couple of years since Mind of Mencia got cancelled, though, the Honduran joker has flashed his real master plan. He wants to star in PG-13 comedies like Our Family Wedding and score a network sitcom. Help Mencia on his way when he crashes the Miami Improv (3390 Mary St., Coconut Grove) at 7 and 9 p.m. this Monday. Tickets cost $35, plus the Improvs usual two-drink minimum. Call 305-441-8200 or visit miamiimprov.com.
Mon., Sept. 6, 7 & 9 p.m., 2010