Celebrities

Comic Pablo Francisco taken from Sacramento comedy club in ambulance

Stand-up comic Pablo Francisco.
Stand-up comic Pablo Francisco.

Comedian Pablo Francisco left the Punch Line Comedy Club in an ambulance Saturday night after an incoherent performance, according to a video and several witnesses.

Francisco’s scheduled show on Sunday night was canceled “due to illness,” according to a tweet from Punch Line Comedy Club. A free comedy show was held instead. Francisco had tweeted earlier Sunday that he was “ready for tonight.” He tweeted an apology after the club’s announcement.

A YouTube video shows Francisco rambling onstage Saturday and repeatedly performing the same impressions, reportedly shortly after falling off the stage. His microphone accidentally becomes disconnected, prompting a profane rant from Francisco followed by more incoherent comments.

The stage lights go out and another man escorts the protesting Francisco offstage. The video then cuts to a shot of Francisco on a stretcher being loaded into an ambulance outside the club at 2100 Arden Way. The video attributes his behavior to alcohol and drugs.

Fans at the show also commented on the incident on Twitter amd Facebook, where one said she was “still in shock.”

According to posts on the club’s Facebook page, patrons at the Saturday show received free passes to a future show of their choice.

Francisco, 43, is a stand-up comedian who previously appeared on MADtv and Comedy Central Presents. He’s noted for his vocal impressions of people and sound effects.

This story was originally published July 16, 2017 at 8:12 AM with the headline "Comic Pablo Francisco taken from Sacramento comedy club in ambulance."

Related Stories from Sacramento Bee
Get one year of unlimited digital access for $159.99
#ReadLocal

Only 44¢ per day

SUBSCRIBE NOW