EIU University Board will be bringing in comedian Ian Edwards to perform in the 7th Street Underground at 9 p.m. today.

When Ian Edwards was 21, he was working the drive thru at Burger King. He soon grew tired of his fast-food job and decided to change his profession from fast-food worker to comedian.

While working at Burger King, Edwards used the drive-up window as his first forum for his comedy.

“I learned to be funny in the fast food industry, I used the drive-up window as my first microphone,” Edwards said. “A lot of people at the drive-up window were saying I was really funny, so I decided to continue with it.”

Edwards has displayed his comedic talents on shows like Def Comedy Jam and Show Time at the Apollo. Edwards has also written comedy for shows such as Saturday Night Live and The Boondocks for Cartoon Network. He was also a cast member of the MTV show Punk’d.

Edwards said going into his show at Def Comedy Jam in 1996, he was really anxious to get on stage and show the audience his comedy.

“I had just changed careers and I really wanted to just come out and kill,” Edwards said. “I had to change some shows around to make sure that I could perform at Def Comedy Jam. I really just tried to go out and have some fun and I believe I accomplished that.”

Aside from his accomplishments, Edwards said the main reasons why he accepted the show in Charleston was because it provides him an opportunity to showcase his comedic talents to another type of crowd.

“I accepted the show because I really wanted to reach new people and the Charleston show seemed like a fun opportunity,” Edwards said.

UB board member Matt Caponera said one of the big reasons for bringing Edwards in for a performance was the opportunity to bring in a performer who has some diversity to his comedic performances.

“We (the UB board) felt that Ian was a really well-known up-and-comer that we wanted to bring in for a performance.” “We felt that he could keep the students entertained.”

UB member Mindy Gayheart agreed with Caponera, that brining in Edwards could provide the EIU student body with a comedic performance that would be different than they normally get.

“Matt really wanted to bring in some diversity to our comedic shows and we believe that Ian Edward’s can do that,” Gayheart said.

Edwards said he is looking forward to the upcoming show at Eastern and he wants the crowd to come to the show with an open mind.

“Don’t take anything I say to seriously and lets just go have a party,” Edwards said.

Neil Schneider can be reached at 581-7942 or at jnschneider@eiu.edu