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Comedian Nick Swardson responds to Denver Gazette report

By John Moore March 8, 2024 | updated 1 year ago

Nick Swardson Response

Nick Swardson's Instagram post from Denver at about 2 p.m. on March 8.

Instagram

Nick Swardson Response

Nick Swardson’s Instagram post from Denver at about 2 p.m. on March 8. 



Instagram


Comedian Nick Swardson took to Instagram and took the Denver Gazette to task on Friday for reporting that his onstage meltdown on Beaver Creek on Monday had caused a surge in demand for his current four-day stop (March 7-10) at Comedy Works‘ two Denver locations. 

Swardson, 47, best-known for playing Terry Bernadino in the Comedy Central TV series “Reno 911!” was removed from his own standup set 20 minutes after his show began with incoherent ramblings and profanity-laced exchanges with audience members. Two days later, a seventh show was added for March 10. Then an eighth show was added for late-night tonight (March 8).

Swardson posted a screenshot of the Denver Gazette report, along with a fiery comment:

“Been a minute to address this. So (expletive) dumb that this is news with all that’s going on in the world. Love my fans. I’m sorry. Edibles, alcohol and altitude will happen. Also I’m not the first person to try that combo in COLORADO. Good lord. Shows have been great after and will be. Love you. Comedians are humans like everyone. ❤️” 

Within an hour of the 2 p.m. post, it had nearly 15,000 likes, but the more than 1,300 comments were a mix of fan support and tough love:

• “Hey Nick, I’m a huge fan. One of the reasons this is such a big story is because you went on Theo’s podcast talking about how you almost died from alcohol. We love you and want you to be healthy – that’s all,” wrote @blind_people_for_president.

• “Maybe at your age u should know better?” wrote @tomcallahan_.

• “Get help brother. Ain’t no shame.” wrote mrabraham. 

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Among the more forgiving: 

• “Top 3 worst hangovers in my life was at Vail. And I live in Denver. 10,000ft is no joke man….. totally understandable,” wrote @cjealous5280

• “Saw you last night and haven’t laughed that hard in a long time. Beaver Creek gave you so much good material!” wrote @imnotfinishedpodcast

• And, in the opinion of @jimdewdguitars: “Didn’t pay this any attention. It’s all thirsty journalist hungry for a story that isn’t there. Love ya dude!”

Live Nation Entertainment Nick Swardson

Comedian Nick Swardson (PRNewsFoto/Live Nation Entertainment)

PRNewsFoto/Live Nation Entertainment

Live Nation Entertainment Nick Swardson

Comedian Nick Swardson (PRNewsFoto/Live Nation Entertainment)



PRNewsFoto/Live Nation Entertainment


One video of the incident in Beaver Creek, which garnered media attention from around the world, can be viewed here. (Note, explicit language.)

The next day, Swardson posted to his X account: “Just casually woke up on TMZ. Travel tip: don’t drink and take edibles in high altitude. (Expletive) brain diarrhea. I’ll make it up to you Beaver Creek!”

He played a sold-out set the next night in Aspen.

Officials from Comedy Works turned down an opportunity to comment.

John Moore is The Denver Gazette’s senior arts journalist. Email him at john.moore@gazette.com

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