Have a Hart: Comedian Cancels Cell Phones

The current local comedy cavalcade continues this week at the Arlington, leaving behind the Lobero in favor of the much larger venue, where Kevin Hart, one of the most popular stand-up comedians on the touring circuit, will perform on January 27. Hart has appeared in dozens of films and TV shows, receiving two Primetime Emmys nods for his film and TV work, and is the star of the mid-air heist film Lift that started streaming on Netflix this month. He’s released a half-dozen comedy albums, two of which have been nominated for two Grammy awards. He’s hosted three episodes of Saturday Night Live and would have hosted the 2019 Academy Awards but withdrew over backlash over earlier homophobic tweets, despite Montecito’s Ellen DeGeneres offering her support. 

The latest Hart controversy concerns his long-standing policy forbidding access to mobile phones and other such devices within the performance space. Guests must secure their phones in locking Yondr pouches, and can use them only in restricted areas, such as the Arlington’s lobby. Those of us who are invariably annoyed by fans taking “surreptitious” videos and even texting during shows can only say “Hear, hear, Mr. Hart.”