Originally posted Monday, October 28, 2019 by RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com on his AJC Radio & TV Talk blog
Stand-up comic Gabriel Iglesias will return to State Farm Arena in 2020 for his next tour, dubbed "Beyond the Fluffy: Go Big or Go Home."
His last visit to the venue was in 2016 when it was called Philips Arena.
For many stand-up comics, headlining a solo arena tour is a big deal, the career equivalent of reaching a summit of success.
Some in the past have hit those heights, then faded such as Andrew Dice Clay and Dane Cook. (Cook is still viable, headliningthe 2,500- capacity Tabernacle nearby on November 9 and that show is nearly sold out.) A few can go back again and again, like Jeff Dunham (five times at State Farm going back a decade)and Kevin Hart (three trips to State Farm, five dates going back to 2012).
Iglesias' humor is decidedly light and self deprecating, often focused on food and his weight. His nickname "Fluffy" has gotten him far. This isn't all that different from Jim Gaffigan, another overweight, self-deprecating comic who made it to State Farm Arena in 2017.
Iglesias has his own Netflix scripted comedy "Mr. Iglesias" and two of his most recent specials are on the streaming service, including one released in March "One Size Fits All."
Other successful comics could do arenas but simply choose not to, preferring more intimate settings e.g. Jerry Seinfeld, Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock.
Iglesias is the most successful alum from NBC's reality competition show "Last Comic Standing" this side of Amy Schumer.
Amusingly neither won. In fact, Iglesias in 2006 was disqualified after found with a Blackberry to contact family and friends, which was a big no no. He lasted just four episodes.
A year later, his Comedy Central special “Hot and Fluffy” came out and his career skyrocketed the past 12 years. He has 14 million social media fans and more than 410 million views on YouTube.
He is among the highest paid comics of the past year, according to Fortune, coming in at $22 million and sixth place. The only five comics ahead of him were Kevin Hart, Jerry Seinfeld, Gaffigan, Trevor Noah and Sebastian Masiscalco. He just edged out Schumer, who opted for a theater tour this past year.
Tickets for Iglesias' show at State Farm Arena go on sale Friday, November 1, 2019 at fluffyguy.com or Ticketmaster.
As is typical of press releases of this sort, there are no ticket prices mentioned. But the prices will probably be in the same range as his current concert on sale at Staples Center in Los Angeles December 27: $49.50-$79.50 before fees.
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