I saw this headline but didn't read the story. "Mitch Hedberg," I thought, "Why does that name sound familiar?" But I didn't read the story. I could never remember his last name, no matter how many of his bits I saw.

I heard about this at work today and it ruined the rest of my afternoon. One of my friends and I spent all day throwing his punchlines back and forth every time we passed in the aisles. I remember the first time I watched him perform on television, I thought he was so genuine and sweet. This is a very sad thing.

Louis Lee, owner of the Acme, said Hedberg not only became the Twin Cities' first breakout comedian of the 1990s but, along with Lewis Black, helped shape a national resurgence in standup comedy. "It's very difficult for one-liner comedians to get an audience going, but when Mitch worked here, you could see the kids call out the punchline," Lee said. "Mitch made the whole comedy community realize how important good writing is. It's a huge loss." Unlike many comics, Hedberg was demonstrably thankful to his fans. Not long ago, a group of college students in Florida, speaking with Hedberg backstage after a show, mentioned how hot their dorm room was. Hedberg surprised them the next morning by showing up to their dorm with a new air conditioner. "Mitch presented a lot of challenges, but a lot of opportunities for traveling that we wouldn't have otherwise had, and he had a heart of gold," his mother said. "He was a brilliant comic and a wonderful person."

(from a Mitch Hedberg fansite)

"I like vending machines, because snacks are better when they fall."

[Edited on Apr 01, 2005 8:03PM]

dylanisdead

Minneapolis, MN

February 2004

APR 01, 2005 06:37 PM

I wish i knew who he was, because he probably would have made me laugh...alot.

fishbowlissues

Springfield, VA

February 2005

APR 01, 2005 07:21 PM

so wait.. how many people are honestly feeling this is an april fools joke?

battlin_albright

Dayton, OH

June 2004

APR 01, 2005 07:39 PM

As soon as I heard it yesterday, before it was even confirmed, I started crying. And again tonight when I watched his comedy special. I hate when the death of a complete stranger can hit me so hard, but he was just too funny. And it's ridiculous when one of the great ones goes so early.

Keutip_Der_MM

Omaha, NE

March 2005

APR 01, 2005 08:41 PM

He was my favorite comedien and I'm glad I was able to see him live, about a month and a half ago, before he passed, But there's a problem with the article. There have been many claims at drug use, but if you go to MTV News you get a different, and much more positive and less incrimnating impression. But we wont be sure until its officially released. i hope MTV News is right...

[Edited on Apr 01, 2005 10:42PM]

penguinscheme

I'm lost

February 2004

APR 02, 2005 11:42 AM

Sucks

crispy

NEWSWIRE

Philadelphia, PA

APR 02, 2005 12:13 PM

I watched his Comedy Central standup last night. Funny guy, but just looking at him you knew he wasn't long for this earth.

That doesn't make it any less sad, though. Fuck ... 37 years old? Just not right.

aurora_b_alice

USA

August 2004

APR 03, 2005 11:31 AM

I work at the Improv and he's one of the few comedians that the majority of us there agreed was great. We all knew he had a serious habit...it just went too far. He's one of the few comedians I didn't mind seeing 7 times in one weekend. We're all pretty bummed out about it.

thurmis

Chicago, IL

October 2003

APR 03, 2005 06:07 PM

i know it's not too nice to make light of something like this, but this is the first thing to came to my head when i heard this:

"Man, I always wondered what it's like being dead, and now that I've been there, I've come to the conclusion that ducks don't go to Hell. Maybe it's because there is a shortage of bread down there. Ducks like bread."

Polly

SUICIDEGIRL

California, USA

APR 03, 2005 07:01 PM

honestly, i only recently learned of his existance.

but i guess that fucking pisses me off even more, now doesn't it.

it's a fucking shame.

MrStitches

Brooklyn, NY

November 2003

APR 03, 2005 07:04 PM

never mind.

[Edited on Apr 03, 2005 by MrStitches]

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SUICIDEGIRL

Minnesota, USA

APR 01, 2005 06:03 PM

Minneapolis, MN

February 2004

APR 01, 2005 06:37 PM

Springfield, VA

February 2005

APR 01, 2005 07:21 PM

Dayton, OH

June 2004

APR 01, 2005 07:39 PM

Omaha, NE

March 2005

APR 01, 2005 08:41 PM

I'm lost

February 2004

APR 02, 2005 11:42 AM

NEWSWIRE

Philadelphia, PA

APR 02, 2005 12:13 PM

USA

August 2004

APR 03, 2005 11:31 AM

Chicago, IL

October 2003

APR 03, 2005 06:07 PM

SUICIDEGIRL

California, USA

APR 03, 2005 07:01 PM

Brooklyn, NY

November 2003

APR 03, 2005 07:04 PM