Bedside Manners

Comedian Sheryl Underwood's comic delivery can sometimes be crude. And her material can be downright nasty. "I got caught in bed with my best friend's man, and the bitch gonna get mad at me," says Underwood. "She says, 'Sheryl watcha doing?' I said, 'Bitch, I'm trying to help you. He said if he doesn't get some pussy soon, he's going to leave your ass!'"Believe it or not, Underwood insists she's toned down her style. "I've learned how to articulate a point of view so I don't hurt people anymore," she says. "If you heard me speak on black-and-white relationships, people were perceiving it as 'I hate white people' as opposed to 'I love all people.' I had to learn to change my perception." While Underwood may joke about relationships, politics are her true passion. A staunch Republican, she sticks up for Dubya, despite the vocal jousting she gets from fellow African Americans. "Black people think Bush stole the election. He didn't steal shit from Gore. Gore lost the election 'cause he wouldn't let Bill Clinton campaign for his ass," says Underwood. "There's only two white men that black people love: Bill Clinton and Bob Barker. We love The Price is Right. We might not be able to read, but we know how much Rice-A-Roni costs." Sheryl Underwood performs at 8 and 10:15 tonight and 7, 9:30, and 11:30 p.m. tomorrow at the Improv, 2000 Sycamore Avenue on the West Bank of the Flats. Tickets are $23. Call 216-696-4677 or visit www.clevelandimprov.com.
Fri., Nov. 9; Sat., Nov. 10, 2007