Aaron Vehling

Despite being 66 years old, Bill Cosby didn’t miss a beat as he amused two sold-out crowds at Saturday at Zorn Arena.

“I saw Cosby 30 years ago in Milwaukee,” said Ken Stigler of Madison, parent of a UW-Eau Claire student. “He was great then and he’s still got it.”

His daughter, sophomore Amy Stigler, agreed.

“I liked the whole show,” she said. “It was great.”

Cosby showcased his classic humor in a nearly two-hour set. He performed two shows, at 6:30 and 9:30 p.m.

After a short introduction from the University Activities Commission, Cosby walked onto the stage decked in all UW-Eau Claire Blugold apparel, a move that yielded a standing ovation from the crowd.

Before any laughs, Cosby sobered the crowd with a dedication to the U.S. troops who still reside in the Middle East with a two-minute recording of singer Marian Anderson.

After the dedication, Cosby covered a wide range of subjects, including college life, puberty, dentist visits and many other aspects of everyday life.

“The reason why colleges have Parents’ Weekend,” Cosby said, “is because colleges don’t know how to get you to clean up your space.”

Cosby even resorted to some of his oldest humor as he brought out classics such as his, “Hey, hey, hey” phrase.

With a single spotlight on him, Cosby made the set personal as he joked with audience members and paraphrased many of students’ and parents’ thoughts.

“I love you, but I don’t like you,” said Cosby, in reference to the feelings parents sometimes have toward their misbehaving children.

He also focused on such student dilemmas as balancing partying and studying, and picking out a certain major.

“If someone’s switching majors, watch out,” Cosby said. “That’s a seven-year student.”

Ken Stigler was impressed on the freshness of Cosby’s material.

“I didn’t know if we should be expecting regular stand-up,” Stigler said. “But he really geared it towards the parents and the students.”

Even non-college students enjoyed the presentation.

“It was really good,” said Jake Ford, a 16-year-old from Granton. “I’ve seen him before, and about everything was new.”

Cosby also will perform at UW-Stevens Point Nov. 15 for its Parents’ Weekend.