News-Letter

Funny. Witty. Just plain hilarious. Meet Mike Zaccardo, the frizzy-haired freshman who's taking on Hopkins with a dash of wit.

Normally, when you meet someone who belongs to one of Hopkins's performing groups or productions, you're pretty amazed at their talent. Being a part of one, however, just didn't cut it for Zaccardo. How about being part of three completely different entities? That's more like it now.

You may have heard of Mike Zaccardo. On the other hand, you might actually have heard him - he's one of the sports commentators on Hopkins's own radio station, WJHU, accessible via www.wjhuradio.com.

"We get to talk about Hopkins and pro sports, our opinions about the games, that kind of stuff

Later in the year, I'll get to actually call some games. It's always been a fantasy job of mine, and I get to do it in college," Zaccardo said.

But being heard isn't quite the same as being heard and seen. And though he enjoys sports casting, performing live on stage is a completely different ballgame. He's a part of Hopkins's own sketch comedy group, Throat Culture.

"I don't know any specifics yet … but I might get to write some of my own sketches in the coming weeks," Zaccardo said, as he ran his hand through his recently cut hair. "I may have lost my hair, but I did not lose my wit."

Along with dozens of other freshmen who were amazed by the performance at the O-Show, Zaccardo tried out for the improv comedy sector of Hopkins performing groups, The Buttered Niblets. While the Throat Culture sketches are rehearsed, all Buttered Niblets performances are improvised; meaning, you have to be naturally funny.

And when it comes to humor, Zaccardo is certainly not short on wit. "I've always liked comedy and was always pretty funny," he said, "but never really performed it before. Feels good to know that I was good enough to make it despite the lack of experience."

When asked about any advice to give to the world, he gave me this nugget of wisdom. "I've always liked humor, but never got to do it in high school. Now I'm in college. If you have an interest in something, even if it seems difficult to audition for, just go try out. It's college, it's possible."

Go hear Zaccardo on WJHU Monday nights at 7 p.m., or catch him at one of the comedy performances throughout the year; Just "look for the frizzy hair."

Always one to get the last laugh, Zaccardo threw in a last word.

"Let's be honest here. Girls love a guy with a big … wit."

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