Mike Green
Dr. Grins, Grand Rapids
Dec 26, 8 and 10:15 p.m.
$15
Mike Green has a tattoo of an Oreo, which has given him the name "Oreo man."
The Detroit-based comedian specializes in his own brand of observational humor, and has been doing stand-up since he couldn't decide what he wanted to do out of high school. But why does he have an Oreo tattoo?
"When I was 12 years old there was an older guy on the corner," Green said. "He was the cool guy in the neighborhood. He was a senior in high school and he was dating this really great girl. [My friends and I] used to be tag along. He said if we all got a dollar each he would tell us what he does with his girlfriend. My friends and I all got a dollar each and he told us that he takes Oreo cookies, dips them in milk, throws them at her butt and he eats them. When I walked home that day I thought that's the coolest guy I've ever met in my life. I want to be just like that."
Green turned this anecdote into a joke that he used early on in his career. It became such a popular joke, he became the Oreo man. After people started to bring Oreos to the show and throwing them at him, he stopped using the joke, but the moniker stuck.
Green talks a little bit about being a Catholic in his act, but he avoids politics all together. Other topics that are covered include Steven Tyler, the style of late night news stories, and the hormones of his ex-wife. He avoids writing anything offensive. Instead, he simply gets on stage and tries to make the people laugh. Green enjoys his success. He worked extremely hard to develop into the headlining act he has today, and performs at a mix of clubs and corporate events.
"I like the fact that I can pay my bills with it now," Green said. "I starved for the art for a long time. I like getting on stage for that hour. It's the other 23 hours that are hard to cope with."
Green offers material that is funny and easily relatable. You can check out video and audio clips, get your hands on Green's Comedy CD or new DVD by going to his Web site at oreoman.com.
