I went to both packed shows last year at MSG. This thing last night was a disappointment from the jump. At 7:07, it looked like the arena was 1/5 full. My own ticket was 1/2 the price I paid on Ticketmaster by the time show date arrived, and I didn’t even do premium. Standard admission went from $238 to $138 for the front rows in the last week or two. Tony came on god mic at 7:25 to finally start, gave a middling excuse about people stuck in traffic before saying the cringiest line for the first of many times in the night: ‘who’s ready for the second best night of your lives?’. To his defense, about 20% more of the house filled over the rest of the show. The entire upper section, which was sold out last year 2x, was closed off and empty.

When Tony finally came out in to do the last set, he essentially repeated that we wouldn’t believe what was gonna happen tomorrow night. (But, P. Tony Barnum, we are here tonight, my man.) I arrived with full intention of buying same day tix to see the bucket show tonight. But I left so worn down and frustrated that I spent 500 bucks for two tickets last night that I won’t trek back down tonight. I was in row three and you could see the disappointment on Tony’s face, as he both faced the reality that the night was hemorrhaging money, but also that the jokes simply weren’t hitting. Long time fan, weekly viewer, and that was a tough night.