With finals rapidly approaching, opportunities for Sacramento State students to laugh may become increasingly scarce in the weeks ahead. Many students jumped at the chance to see stand-up comic ANT perform in the University Union Ballroom Thursday night.

The comedian, whose full name is Anthony Kalloniatis, is perhaps best known for his several seasons on the popular television show “Last Comic Standing,” and as host of VH1’s “Celebrity Fit Club.” He was at Sac State as part of Pride Week, which is happening this week on campus.

Much of his material Thursday focused on two different and sometimes conflicting aspects of his life – his homosexuality and his Greek heritage. His parents were born and married in Greece, and he said they both have very conservative mindsets. Even though he said they were accepting of his lifestyle, they did not always understand it. Hilarity ensued. One story involved his father giving him a Playboy magazine in an attempt to change his mind.

Senior sociology major Lauren Haley said she saw Kalloniatis when he came to Sac State four years ago. She said after that show, she immediately went out and bought his comedy CD. She was sure to make time to see him Thursday when she heard he was coming back, and although she said she recognized some of his current material from his show four years ago, she was not disappointed.

Kalloniatis was joined Thursday by Sacramento comic Cheryl Anderson, who goes by stage name “Cheryl the Soccer Mom.” Anderson was a contestant on TV Land’s “Search for the Funniest Mom in America,” and hosts an open-mic night every Monday at Po’ Boyz Bar and Grill in Folsom. Anderson said she and some other local comedians sent videos of their material to Kalloniatis, and he picked her to open for him.

“I am a really big fan of his, so I was really excited when I got the opportunity,” Anderson said.

In her act, Anderson touched on her status as a “cougar,” an older woman who hits on younger men. After interacting with a fellow “cougar” in the audience, she presented a pair of what she called “big girl panties” – a comically huge undergarment she said she bought at Wal-Mart. She then tossed them to a man in the crowd and told him to hang them on his wall “like a fish trophy.”

The recipient of the unmentionables, Foothill High School senior Josh Romero, said “of course” he would pin them up as she suggested. He said he would display them so everyone can see where Anderson scrawled “Thanks for last night!” on the side. Also visible was where Kalloniatis wrote “ANT was here” with an arrow pointing to the crotch.

To most, the comedic stylings of ANT and Anderson were a welcome diversion from the rigors of study and the everyday grind. Both brought uncommon perspectives and takes on everyday life that may have otherwise gone unconsidered by most students.