As the lights dimmed and the audience settled down Saturday night in Memorial Hall, there was nothing but a microphone and a stool on stage.
And for the next three hours, there was nothing but laughter filling the sold-out auditorium.
Lewis Black and Friends"" part of Carolina Union Activities Board's fifth annual Carolina Comedy Festival, featured Black and other well-known comedians performing in front of the all-student crowd.
Junior Austin Tortorici attended the 2006 Lewis Black and Friends"" performance and said he returned this year because Black usually stays on top of current events" making his act different from year to year.
And as typical of Black's style much of the comic's routine was based on politics" especially poking fun at the candidates for the 2008 presidential election.
""I feel like they've all been president" and I'm ready to move on" Black said.
Throughout his performance, Black's intense comedic delivery and angry tone caused roars of laughter from the audience.
After his act, Black received a standing ovation from attendees who refused to leave. He took the stage again and told one last joke about an accidentally castrated Chapel Hill resident.
The show was hosted by Rory Albanese, co-executive producer of The Daily Show"" with Jon Stewart on Comedy Central"" who performed before Black and others. Many of his jokes appealed to the student audience.
""If you ever want to pee on campus" do it during a basketball game. No one's there" Albanese said.
Albanese also presented students with a peace plan for the Middle East, which included Americans dropping video games, fast food and marijuana on its cities in order to replicate the laziness of American youth in foreign countries.
Rob Riggle and John Oliver, both correspondents featured on The Daily Show"" were new to the show this year.
Riggle told the audience about his hungover flight to Las Vegas, while Oliver spoke about American consumption habits.
Mallory Cash, CUAB's comedy committee chairwoman, said Oliver's and Riggle's styles - one rolling around on the floor and the other kicking the air - brought diversity to the show.
They all have different styles" but they all have the same love of comedy" she said.
Two students also gave short stand-up performances before the headliners. They were given the chance to perform by winning the Student Stand-Up Competition on Thursday. Freshman Cody Hughes performed, followed by junior Mary Sasson.
Hughes, who is from Flat Rock, joked about his hometown. His performance was complemented by Sasson's comedy about her family's answering machine.
Freshman Christina Serrano said that she enjoyed the two performances and that she was glad they were incorporated into the show.
I didn't know what to expect"" said Serrano, who attended the festival for the first time this year. I was delightfully surprised.""
At the end of the show"" Black thanked the audience and praised UNC for hosting the festival.
""There's nothing like this at any other school in the country.""
Contact the Arts Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.
