It was around this time one year ago that Conan O'Brien, only mere months after losing his job with a major network, decided to embark on a multi-city nationwide tour to remind everyone just what kind of talent he had that was no longer available on television. The tour ended up being a hit, and now Conan has a successful late-night show again on TBS.
However, you cannot say the same thing this year about Charlie Sheen. The former "Two and a Half Men" star is not a comedian first and foremost (like Conan), and it showed in his first "Violent Torpedo of Truth" show in Detroit on Saturday. After having an audience clearly on his side in the beginning, the actor's nonsensical rambling, supposed lack of preparation, and ultimately boring performance left a number of people booing and taking off for the exits. Sheen became combative late in his 90-minute set (one that was actually shortened to 70 minutes due to an unruly audience), even going as far as to remind people buying the tickets that they did so without actually knowing what sort of show they were going to see.
All in all, this was not a night to remember. The warm-up comic for Sheen bombed, half of his set consisted of video montages, Charlie dismissed many of the questions during the Q&A portion as "lame," and most of the applause came when "goddesses" Natalie Kenly and Bree Olson came onstage and kissed each other.
Now, Sheen is in dire straits as he looks to recover Sunday night in Chicago. There are already reports that attendance could plummet on the remainder of his tour, and he also is going to have to contend with an audience likely ready to boo him at every chance.
Do you think the failure of this tour so far is on Charlie (who should know he is an actor more than a comedian / motivational speaker), or the audience for thinking that he could somehow bring the same sort of magic Conan or other performers have brought to the stage?
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