Wild ‘N Out
A classic American sketch comedy and battle rap improv show hooks the audience with raunchy humor and intense comebacks.
The series consists of two teams of comedians against each other in a high-stakes game of “who can be funnier while making it up on the spot?” This show is all about improvising, embarrassing themselves and hoping the audience laughs before they completely flop.
NKU version
At 6:30 p.m. sharp on Feb. 4, NKU students on the “Black” and “Gold” teams battled eight different rounds in front of a huge audience.
The rounds consisted of Family Reunion, Talking Spit, Guess The Celebrity, It’s My Birthday, In the Classroom, Norse Jeopardy, Pick Up and Kill It and Pie or Die.
One category during round two, “Talking Spit,” had a topic of “budget friendly date ideas.” Competitors took turns running up and ringing a bell and saying “what is;” they then spit their game. The crowd erupted with laughter when a member of the “Black” team yelled “what is, let’s take a trip to [Norse] Commons.”
Hosting for community
Robert Butler II played as show host Nick Cannon. While playing Cannon, Butler had to embody not only the host’s signature high energy and quick wit but also his classic comeback and willingness to be a team player.
“This has been a wonderful experience,” explained Butler. “This is actually my third year in a row hosting this event.”
Butler said this experience helped the audience and the participants engage with one another creating a sense of community. This was created by breaking down the traditional barriers between performer and viewer, making everyone feel more connected through shared laughter, interaction and the collective energy of the moment, which was abundant in their performance.
“I’m actually doing all this my freshman year for the sole reason of trying new things and making new connections with other students,” he said.
Not only does Butler want to do more things like this on campus, he hopes to continue his experience hosting for other events.
Reactions
Ariel Stephens shared the perspective of the Gold team: “I love being involved here at NKU. By doing this I was able to not only connect with my teammates but the opposing team as well. “
Ariel said the teams have been practicing for about two weeks and it’s been super fun for her. She said that she was nervous to actually be up one stage in front of everyone but once she got up and saw how much the audience was enjoying their skits and interacting with them, that fear quickly went away.
“I would absolutely do something like this again,” she said. “It might seem scary at first, but at the same time, since we’re all together and performing as a team, I just love it.”
Not only were the opposing teams giving ample energy, but the audience was responding with screams, cheers and an infectious enthusiasm that fueled the entire event. Some people even shouted playful comments, feeding into the performers’ energy, while others laughed so hard they could barely catch their breath. The back and forth between the stage and the crowd created an infectious vibe, making the entire experience feel like a shared moment of joy and humor.
NKU sophomore Danika Maki said she was feeling super excited to be at the Wild ’N Out event and had never done anything like this on campus before. She hopes to do more student engagement activities on campus and was excited to be there with her friends.
“I didn’t know this was happening until last minute and I wish they would advertise things like this around campus more,” she said.
Pie or Die
The ending skit, named “Pie or Die,” had the audience on the edge of their seats. Members of the Gold and Black teams were given only a few seconds to listen to a song, and then they had to either sing the lyrics or face the consequence—a pie in the face. The suspense built as each player nervously awaited their turn, and the crowd erupted with laughter and cheers whenever someone got pied. The unpredictable nature of the game kept everyone engaged, and the messy moments only added to the fun, making it the perfect finale to an unforgettable event.
At the end of the skit, Butler stepped onto the stage, his presence commanding the attention of the entire room. With a grin, he raised his hands and called for a drumroll, the tension building in the air.
“The winner is… GOLD TEAM,” he declared, his voice ringing out over the crowd. In that instant, the audience erupted, not only for the victorious Gold Team but for the Black Team as well, honoring their fierce spirit, bravery and good sportsmanship. The energy in the room was electric, as the crowd celebrated the unforgettable show of talent.