We can watch comedians on television and in comedy clubs and see that the craft has taken a particular shape. There is an identifiable common ground between many comedians when it comes to the process of delivering jokes in a routine. How, then, does one stand out from the crowd in this profession? What makes one better than another? Comedian Chad Daniels seems to be a natural fit as his popularity and success are both rising rapidly in the stand-up community.

I took the opportunity to watch Daniels perform Friday night at the Student Activities Center. Despite the efforts of the Student Activities Council, who cleverly tweeted cutouts of Daniels’ face on the bodies of multiple Wichita State students and faculty throughout the day to promote the show, the event was not well attended.

When I found out that Daniels has a top-10 ranked Comedy Central special and made a recent appearance on Conan, I was expecting a larger turnout. I’m sure many factors contributed to the lack of attendance. The opera, which was on campus the same night, may have stolen some of Daniels’ thunder. I also thought the weather was a bit sub-par that night, at least before the show. Daniels, a Minnesota native, spent a great deal of his introduction mocking the way we Kansans complain about our “cold weather.”

Daniels commented on the low attendance a couple of times but he delivered his jokes with a no holds barred attitude, jumping around topics and never missing a beat. Covering areas ranging from parenting, marriage and human nature to bodily fluids, colonoscopies and pubic wigs, Daniels’ ability to make fun of both the lighter and darker topics in life can only be described as painfully funny.

There were, at times, moans of disbelief during some of Daniels’ edgier jokes, but the majority of the crowd shamelessly roared with laughter for the most of the show.

If you are familiar with the brand of comedy that Comedy Central regularly puts out, you might have some idea of what Daniels’ routine is like, but unless you have been a lucky spectator of his set, you are missing out on a special experience. Though there was little crowd interaction, Daniels shined when given opportunities to involve and joke with the audience.

It is in these unscripted moments when Daniels is really able to demonstrate his value as a comedian. It becomes clear that Daniels isn’t just acting when he’s on stage, he is simply being himself.