The night started off interesting on many levels. I guess that is expected since the night was to take place in Rockford, Ill.

My friend Melissa was scheduled to show up at 5 p.m., as we had planned some pre-event drinking to prepare for the ANT experience, but Melissa got lost, surprise, surprise. So much for that pre-game party.

When she finally arrived, she hopped in my car and we found the theatre set to host a night of stand up courtesy of ANT on the Rockford College campus.

Before the story continues, let me tell you a tad about this little bugger.

He has been perfecting his comedic routine for many years, but just recently broke huge thanks to the help of "Last Comic Standing." He is the only comedian to compete in all three seasons of the show. Pretty cool, eh?

After kicking ass on the show, ANT has been given many different joys in his life, specifically, he was named the host of VH1's hot show, "Celebrity Fit Club."

And, living on the same block as Charlize Theron and Will Ferrell is always nice.

ANT Loves the fame, for the most part, and his parents do too.

"Well, (laughs), thanks to my fame, they now know I'm gay. It's official (laughs). No, they're thrilled. My parents now live in Vegas. My mom loves it. She absolutely loves all the attention."

Back to the story.

So, we arrived at the theatre and after getting our tickets from the box office, I gave ANT a call on my cell phone. Soon, Melissa and I were led downstairs to the "Green Room."

I had never met ANT before, but had a great phone conversation and various e-mail chats with him, so when I walked in the door, I wasn't sure what to expect. And, I don't think Melissa was either.

After the simple introductions were taken care of, ANT began asking questions.

"So, let me get this straight. You are a straight guy and you are hanging out with this single girl and you guys aren't going to hook up?"

"Dude, I have a girlfriend."

"Yeah, like that will stop you. In today's world, a straight guy can't just be friends with a girl."

After ANT starts off our conversation with a punch, Melissa's face is already red. Just as I would expect, considering she doesn't have the celebrity experience that I have. (Did you see my ego just get a little bigger?)

Then, ANT noticed Melissa's red face, because then, somehow, the conversation turned sexual as ANT asked Melissa about her masturbating practices. Hmmm. Thanks ANT.

Even with the instant sexual talk, ANT was pleasant and warm. I felt an instant (non-sexual, as he is a gay comedian) bond.

"What time is it Nick?"

"What time is your show or what time is it now?"

"Oh come on man. You're not that dumb are you? What time is it now?"

Hmm. Let the night begin.

THE SHOW

ANT is a smart man. He knows how to promote an album, as his album was just released.

"Well, you know, I'm on the promotional leg of my album. I have an album out called "Follow My Ass" on Comedy Central records. And you know the best way to promote an album is to hit up these college kids. You can easily hook them and take their money," he says.

As we left ANT and took our seats in the front row, Melissa and I talked about the possibilities of the show. Was ANT going to expose me? Was he going to talk about Melissa's masturbating practices (confidential by the way)? Who knew? We sure didn't.

But, ANT kept our conversations private and only made me stand as he introduced me to the crowd.

He did have a slew of great jokes.

"I have no problem having sex with a woman. It's not the sex I'm worried about, it's the talking after. What are you thinking about? Huh ANT? What are you thinking about? What are you thinking about? I'm thinking about your brother, GOD."

The show went by pretty smoothly with plenty of sick, twisted humor directed at a high school girl in the front row and her sexual practices.

"If her parents were here, I would be arrested," he announces to the crowd.

After his 45-minute set, ANT signed plenty of autographs and took a bundle of pictures.

"Oh, shit. I sign a ton of autographs," he says. "I signed like 300 autographs yesterday. And getting your picture taken at the airport, or getting your picture taken in the men's room can get a little weird. Some people don't respect your privacy. I was literally in the bathroom at the Detroit airport and I'm at the urinal. "Can I have your autograph on my hat?"

"That has to be weird. You should have peed your signature on his hat," I say.

"It only gets weird at the urinal (laughs). Sometimes it is really gratifying, too. At the Dallas airport, four servicemen who were coming in from Iraq literally came up to me and said, 'Dude, through all the fighting and armed-service stuff, it was really nice to laugh with you. And thank you so much for that.' I almost broke down in tears when hearing that. You sit here on stage and you want to know what you can do to help. You don't even realize you are helping."

THE AFTER PARTY

As the theatre cleared out, ANT decides that it's time for food. So, he invites some straggling fans, Melissa and I, and some family he hasn't seen in 15 some years. Rather than dining at one of Rockford's finer establishments, he picks good 'ol Red Lobster. Yum.

When we arrive, Melissa and I immediately hit the bar, as we needed to start that pre-game party. ANT arrived shortly after.

"So, man, how about you let me buy you a shot?" I say.

"You know, I don't drink. I'm sober, two and a half years now, so I don't really drink. I usually just go to a TGI Fridays or an Applebee's after the show with some of the students who want to go."

"That's a little insane."

"I have done plenty of drugs and have drank way too much. I have been sober for a long time, why mess it up? And why would I mess it up at a Red Lobster of all places?"

We all eat, and chat. My girlfriend Lindsey eventually joins in – well, sort of – as I hand ANT the phone to say hello to her.

After dinner, ANT declares his bed time. So, after hugs and an autograph he wrote to me "Nick, thanks for last night. Can I have my underwear back?" We end the night. And I can officially say, I will forever be a fan of ANT, for his kindness, openness, and when you get him away from the lights, his sensitivity. He is a comedian who deserves the attention.

Photos courtesy of ANT

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