Shang Forbes doesn't just want people to laugh during his comedy shows.
"I want somebody to pee on themselves," said the New York-bred comedian, describing how hard he wants people to laugh. "I want snot bubbles. I want someone to choke on their beer, but not die though."
Forbes, who goes by "Shang" when he's on stage, hopes to accomplish that feat when he comes to Tucson Saturday for a show at the Whiskey Tango, in the former Fenderskirts Bar on the southwest corner of Broadway and Kolb Road.
This will be his first visit to Tucson.
Comedian Eric Dugar will host the show, which will feature Phoenix-based comics JayMac, John Santos and Dave Schnier.
The show is part of the "LOL … Laugh Out Loud Comedy Jam" series created by local promoter Matt Kearney.
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Forbes may be best known from his performances on television's "Def Comedy Jam," BET's "Comic View" and other comedies on HBO, Comedy Central and NBC.
He hosted BET's "Access Granted" until last April and has had guest roles on various network shows, including CBS' "NCIS," NBC's "Passions" and Disney's "The Suite Life of Zack & Cody."
Forbes' website describes his comedic style as "dark, edgy, avant-garde" and "socio-political," but in a recent telephone interview he said he wants to raise the edginess bar to "Rage Against the Machine" levels.
"I'm way edgier than ever politically, but it's digestible.
"I want them to leave and be like 'Wow, nobody's ever said that before,' " he said. "I want to be quoted."
Forbes' career began about 18 years ago when a friend bet him $50 to get on stage during an open-mic night at a comedy club.
The bet came at an opportune time, as Forbes was $50 short on some bills, he said.
He began to take comedy more seriously, performing at some rough clubs on the East Coast, including one memorable show in Philadelphia.
"I walked in and stepped on something, and heard something snap. I looked down and it was a tooth," he said. "I was lucky. I got through a lot of hard gigs."
Forbes plans on expanding his audience this year by touring mostly smaller cities he's never visited before.
"Right now, I got to take it to a level I've never been, hit markets that I never hit," he said.
If you go
• What: Shang in concert, with Phoenix-based comics JayMac, John Santos and Dave Schnier.
• When: Doors open at 8 p.m. Saturday, and the show starts at 9:30 p.m.
• Where: Whiskey Tango, 140 S. Kolb Road.
• Tickets: $20 in advance and $25 at the door.
