Steve Martin Audience Offered Refunds After “Boring” Engagement At The Y

Funnyman Steve Martin has been left red-faced after audience members at a special evening with him were offered full refunds because he was so boring.

The comedy legend — who just last year was tapped to host the 2010 Academy Awards — appeared at New York City’s famed 92nd Street Y (formerly the YMCA) this week, where he was interviewed about art, but audience members complained that they were bored out of their minds by what he had to say. Art critic Deborah Solomon interviewed Martin Monday night in front of an audience of about 900 people, many of whom were left nearly comatose after paying to hear him talk about his new book, An Object of Beauty, which is set in the art world, Salon.com reports. He must have been really damn boring because the event bosses have emailed all ticketholders to offer every dime of their $50 admission fee back!

Poor Steve. Maybe he should just stick to stand-up and strumming banjos?!

“We acknowledge that last night’s event with Steve Martin did not meet the standard of excellence that you have come to expect from 92nd St. Y,” the Y’s Executive Director, Sol Adler, said in an e-mail to ticket-holders Tuesday.

“We planned for a more comprehensive discussion and we, too, were disappointed with the evening. We will be mailing you a $50 certificate for each ticket you purchased to last night’s event. The gift certificate can be used toward future 92Y events, pending availability,” the message continued.

The center’s spokeswoman Beverly Greenfield also issued a statement explaining The Y’s decision to offer refunds: “We heard from our audience members, who were vocal about their admiration for Steve Martin and their displeasure with the program, at the event, and afterward by email and by phone.”

When informed of the refunds, Martin said he was taken aback by The Y’s “discourteous” response.

“It seemed to me that a consultation was at least in order,” he said. “As for the Y’s standard of excellence, it can’t be that high because this is the second time I’ve appeared there,” he added.

Hey Steve, the next time you’re running into trouble with a particularly tough audience, just bust out a few of those classic moves from The Jerk. Gets us everytime!