SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – A Jewish comedian from Los Angeles was heckled at a comedy show in Sioux Falls this weekend. The video of the antisemitic slurs quickly gained national attention.
Mike Glazer, at one of the last stops of his national tour, was performing in Lucky’s Club 224 on Saturday night when a person started throwing antisemitic slurs at him.
“In the middle of my joke, … he stood up and immediately started, you know, filling the air with hate speech, and the crowd was shocked,” Glazer told KELOLAND News.
He posted the video to his social media, where it got over seven million views. National media outlets, including TMZ, have also reported on the incident.
In the video, the heckler can be heard off camera calling Glazer antisemitic slurs. Out of respect for the Jewish community, KELOLAND has chosen not to publish the full quotes. You can listen to them here.
Jayson Weihs, an organizer and booker with Sioux Falls Comedy, told KELOLAND News they believe the person didn’t come to Lucky’s for the comedy show specifically, but was there for the bar and entered the event area.
“I kind of rushed across the room and kicked the guy out and Lucky’s trespassed him from the premises,” Weihs said.
He added there are sometimes hecklers at shows in Sioux Falls, but never to this degree and never involving racist or bigoted insults.
“It is comedy, a lot of the time there is alcohol involved,” he added. “People see online where the comedians kind of banter back and forth with the crowd, so you do have your occasional person who shouts out.”
Although Weihs says this is an isolated incident in Sioux Falls, Glazer says he’s been dealing with antisemitic insults as a Jewish comedian his whole career; and as a Jewish person his whole life.
“I’ve dealt with this in micro ways in Tennessee, in Kentucky, in Saint Louis, even in Los Angeles. … This is just the first time someone felt bold enough to yell it to my face,” Glazer said.
Sioux Falls Comedy issued an apology to Glazer on its social media. It said it does not know who the man is and he is not connected with Sioux Falls Comedy.
“You are always welcome back to Sioux Falls,” the post, addressed directly to Glazer, read. “This is not typical behavior in our community. We’re usually known for being a warm and welcoming place for all people. I’m sorry that you did not get that same reception. Please understand this was not ‘Sioux Falls.’”
Glazer thanked Sioux Falls Comedy for its apology and support. He said it’s important right now for minority groups to stick together, especially in the comedy scene.
“People are feeling so emboldened now to be vocal in person, in front of people, and I feel like at this point, my job is to amplify and signal boost the fact that I’m not alone in this,” Glazer said. “This happened to me and it was an isolated incident, but it’s not an isolated incident for black people, for gay people, for anyone in the LGBTQ+ community.”
