On Wednesday evening, musical comedian Bo Burnham delighted students able to gain admission to a full-capacity Graham Chapel with a raunchy yet introspective show.

Skyler Kessler | Student Life

Bo Burnham entertained a crowd of students at Graham Chapel on Wednesday evening as part of Social Programming board’s fall comedy show. Bo, at age 18, became the youngest person to record a Comedy Central special.

Burnham, a Massachusetts native, burst onto the scene at the age of 16 with YouTube videos of songs poking fun at white supremacy, homosexuality and a sexual relationship with Helen Keller. Burnham’s success has since ballooned: His YouTube videos have been viewed over 152 million times and he has released four comedy albums.

According to junior Maansi Vatsan, Social Programming Board’s comedy director, SPB aimed to book Burnham last spring, but couldn’t due to scheduling constraints.

“He has a huge, almost cult-like following, and such a persona around him—this theatrical and boisterous stage presence,” Vatsan said before the show. “My biggest concern is that we won’t have space for everyone, as Graham Chapel only has a capacity of 785.”

Over a hundred students were turned away at the door—the remainder of the line stretching from Graham’s front door to the Danforth University Center was cut off from entry. Hours before the 7 p.m. door opening, a line began to form that eventually stretched past Simon Hall. To ensure a spot at the show, students were forced to wait in line far in advance.

“We got here at one o’clock,” freshman Kelly Minster, the first person in line, said. “I brought snacks and went to the DUC right before. I’m hoping that I’ll meet him; I know that’s not going to happen, but I’m just hoping it’ll be a good show.”

“I found [Burnham] in 2009, on YouTube. I had class, but I got here as soon as I could,” her friend, freshman Alexis Schwartz, said.

“This is the largest audience that we’ve ever had for an SPB comedy show,” Vatsan noted in her introduction to the show.

Skyler Kessler | Student Life

SPB Comedy Director Maansi Vatsan stated that Bo attracted the largest crowd for an SPD comedy show. Many people were turned away from the show as Graham Chapel reached maximum capacity.

Those who made it into the chapel sat under blue lights and listened to Gregorian chants instead of the usual top 40 fare, because Burnham’s production manager thought it was funny, according to junior Becca Mandel, a member of SPB.

Opener Whitmer Thomas, whose set lambasted rednecks, California bros and southern cops, set the precedent for Burnham’s derisive, controversial show.

Burnham came prepared to quip at anyone’s expense. His trademark sarcasm was on display quickly, as he noted, “The tickets are free; you’re getting your money’s worth tonight.”

From the show’s beginning, Burnham made a point of targeting politically sensitive topics. In an early song, he rapped, “If you don’t give a f— about the law, let me hear you say, ‘F— the police,’” then following the audience’s cheer, countering “If that seems oversimplified, let me hear you say, ‘It’s a tough job and they’re doing their best.’”

But a darker undercurrent of self-awareness and depression ran through Burnham’s comedy all evening.

“The truth is my biggest problem is you. I want to please you, but I want to stay true to myself. I want to give you the night I think you deserve, part of me loves you, part of me hates you, part of me needs you, part of me fears you. I don’t think that I can handle this right now,” Burnham crooned into a changing vocal distortion during “Can’t Handle This,” his penultimate song.

“Come and watch the skinny kid with a steadily declining mental health and laugh as he attempts to give you what he cannot give himself,” Burnham continued, before returning to criticisms of Chipotle and Pringles cans.

Skyler Kessler | Student Life

In addition to his standup, Bo performed musical bits that got the crowd singing along and improvised by poking fun at students.

On the whole, the audience left the chapel pleased with Burnham’s theatrical mix of sarcastic political incorrectness and confessional introspection.

“I was the only one in the room who didn’t really know him, and I thought he was hilarious,” senior Harrison Kay said.

“I loved it; he was born to entertain,” freshman Andrew Hawkins said.

“He knows how to make you laugh. His comedy is very sophisticated. His use of song, and other voices and lighting makes it a full performance,” senior Benjy Forester said.