Comedian Lewis Black stops touring; Dates announced for final season of “Goodbye Yeller Brick Road.”

EXCLUSIVE: After more than 35 years as a touring stand-up comedian, Lewis Black is preparing to retire his tour bus for good.

As he looks to wrap up his 2023 Off the Rails Tour next month, Black announced this morning the dates for Goodbye Yeller Brick Road, The Final Tour, which will take place from January 2024 to 2025 in North America and Europe. goes on sale Friday, November 17th at 10am local time, while the official fan club presale begins on Tuesday, November 14th at 8am PT / 11am ET. Swart’s dates for this month through May are listed below, with more to be announced later.

Since Black no longer has to perform hundreds of live shows a year, he will spend most of his time writing a new play and book, as well as expanding his podcast. Rantcast. But while his time on tour is almost over, the 75-year-old comedian expects to continue appearing on stage “occasionally”.

The comedian told Deadline that he had been letting people know about his impending retirement for some time, although no one believed he was serious. He joked that if anyone asked why he would stop touring, they would ask “after years of questioning” why he would ever pursue such a “severe” pursuit.

Swart also spoke of the “great joy” that touring brings him and the “world of possibilities” that has opened up for him over the years. “I thought the road would go on forever, but I was wrong. And the fact is that as hard as it is to walk the path, it is even harder to leave it,” he said. “I’m just going to stop touring. It’s time for me to explore other avenues, like writing, reading your rants and disapproved TV shows. (That’s why I know they’re good.) More importantly, I can finally give my fantasy football team the focus and time they really need. And maybe, just maybe, I can become the professional golfer I was meant to be.”

In an exclusive interview with Deadline, Black explained that if it weren’t for the Covid pandemic, he probably would have stopped touring as a stand-up musician already. “That’s what I’ve learned from all of this: This whole five-year plan thing? “Oh, what are you going to do in five years?” Don’t ask the question again,” he jokes. “That’s a damn stupid question.”

As someone whose touring career began when he was in his 40s and began his career as a playwright, he “never expected” to build such a successful career in the field, referring to his tour bus and ” a sense of discipline. Lifestyle. as the factors that most determine longevity.

Perhaps the best part of touring for Black is seeing the US in a way few people do, which has always been a goal. Some of the best years for the comic came after its launch The Daily Showwhen he regularly performed for people of all ages.

As Black looks back on the years he spent traveling to a number of “spectacular” places, he only wishes he had filmed more of his life on the road — “not so much to tell everyone,” he says , “but only to record It.” .”

In a preview of the material that will be heard on his final tour, Black jokes that it will be life-changing. “I think I will eventually demonstrate my ability to cure a variety of diseases. This is really the transition I’m going through,” he says. “As it seems to have happened with many Americans, I go from a cartoon character to a healer, and it’s the big surprise when I show up in their city, set up in an airport and do 50 to 100 cures. , and then fly away the next day.”

He originally planned to wrap up his stand-up career with two specials, including one called “Psychotic.” Lewis Black’s Greatest Hits“, he now plans to put one together around his most recent tour, in which he will continue to reflect on life “in satirical times.” Black’s upcoming projects will hopefully include a travel show that he will host and his favorite places in the United States will feature.

A two-time Grammy winner and six-time nominee, he is known for his signature style of comedic shouting and finger-pointing. Swart’s career goal has largely been to make people laugh at the hypocrisy of life and the madness he sees in the world. To date, he has over 1.3 million views on YouTube, his most recent special, Tragically, I need youexplores topics such as his approach to the pandemic, his frustration with the developing world and, of course, his thoughts on the chaos in America in recent years.

In addition to numerous specials for HBO, Comedy Central, Showtime and Epix, Black has released eight award-winning comedy albums, including Grammy winners The performance at Carnegie Hall And Strong black. He is Comedy Central’s longest serving writer The Daily ShowHe has been with the show since its inception and has also published three best-selling books and over 40 plays, with his works performed across the country.

Also an actor who will soon reprise his role as Anger in Disney/Pixars From the inside out 2Black’s other appearances include those at Universal Accept with Blake Lively and Justin Long, Man of the Year opposite Robin Williams and Paul Feig’s children’s Christmas picture, Unaccompanied minorsfor Warner Bros. He has also previously appeared in programs such as Madoff, The big bang theoryAnd The source of all evilwhich he hosted for Comedy Central.

Black’s Running Podcast, RantcastHe is seen giving voice to the rants of fans around the world. The comic is executive produced by Benjamin Brewer and UTA.

LEWIS BLACK: OFF THE RAIL TOUR 2023

LEWIS BLACK: GOODBYE YELLER BRICK ROAD, THE LAST TOUR OF 2024

* Bold indicates new sale dates on 17 November