Saget came out swinging with the foul-mouthed, quick-tongued humor he is known for. When unbound from his family-friendly shackles, Saget comes alive as a fast-paced dirty comic.

He joked that his act was geared more toward meth users than marijuana users. His stream-of-consciousness approach was comedy for the YouTube age: He’s shocking, offensive and on to the next joke before you know what hit you. He rambled on, tangent after tangent, but always tying things together, even referencing jokes from much earlier in the act.

Even in the expanse of the Colin Center for the Arts, Saget kept an intimate vibe. The audience loved him, and he shared the love. He also made sure to dish out the insults to any heckler, and there were plenty.

One audience member named Barber dug himself a hole after booing Jews — Saget is Jewish. Saget ripped Barber apart throughout the night. He explicitly described sexual relations with animals that he believed Barber was surely a fan of, insulted his manhood and talked about him masturbating.

A fair share of Saget’s jokes were about his time on “Full House.” He poked fun at co-stars Dave Coulier and John Stamos every chance he got and told a great behind-the-scenes story about a horse’s penis and why he never gets pepper on his salad at restaurants — the cast referred to the horse’s penis as a pepper mill because of its resemblance.

Self-deprecation was a common theme of Saget’s comedy. He blasted the popular Internet video of a man with Tourette’s syndrome yelling “Bob Saget,” joking he didn’t care if he was dead. Saget’s name was yelled out repeatedly in jest by both him and the audience.

His set lasted more than an hour, and his guitar was brought out about halfway through it.

“This is something you won’t be doing tonight,” Saget said to Barber as he sensually plugged his patch cord into the guitar.

Saget’s vocal talent certainly faltered in comparison to Colin Meloy of The Decemberists, who graced the same stage earlier this semester, but his comedic songwriting was brilliant. He sang of relationships with ladies in nursing homes and his dog licking his balls over some catchy progressions and melodies. Intermittently, Saget would break into falsetto to cover some approximation of the theme from “Titanic,” but the annoyance was funny.

Even his five-second-long sloppy covers were hilarious, claiming the band Hoobastank was named after a German fart.

The comedian gave praise to warm up act Joe Wong, and rightly so. Wong’s awkwardness, appearance and thick Asian accent made him fun to laugh at, but the audience quickly found they were laughing with him.

Wong is scheduled to speak at the White House and rehearsed his speech for President Barack Obama. Unfortunately, some of his political humor was lost on the University of Maine populace, but he was able to bring the audience back with jokes about being Darth Vader in bed.

Wong even joked about his time at a student newspaper, saying it was the last refuge for puns.

The audience was eager and attentive, perhaps overbearing at times with the whooping, but it was all in good fun. It was clear even to audience members in the furthest rows that Saget enjoyed himself on stage. When he bid the crowd goodnight, he gave a sincere, fatherly farewell that not even all the dirty jokes in the world could hide.

The Maine Campus: How does it feel to know that on any given day, somebody, somewhere is probably watching you on a “Full House” re-run?

Bob Saget: It’s funny because some people say to me, “I just watched you on ‘Full House,’ and I flip a channel and you’re on ‘Entourage.’” I don’t know how that can possibly happen. Apparently, somewhere “Full House” is on at the same time as HBO at 10:30 at night. It’s a giant compliment. The stuff we did when we did that show has become a favorite for people but, when we did it, it was hard going for the first few years. It’s meant for young girls. It was made for what would be the fantasy for three young girls to be raised by three guys. It’s really interesting that it touched a lot of people, and I think some of the reason is how well done it was for that kind of show. It’s weird that I did it — I can’t even watch it. I don’t know what the hell I did. I’m proud of it, but it’s just weird.

MEC: What happened for you to make the transition from “family-friendly” to the comedian you are now?

BS: Well, that’s what I was always like. When I was 17, I played music, comedy songs. I won a radio contest with a song called “Bondage.” It was about people liking to tie each other up. The other song I wrote was “She’s a Man.” Those were like the first things I did. My standup was always about what’s in my pants. The first thing I did was Richard Pryor movies as an actor and I said “f—” in it a bunch. And then I got the part on “Full House” and you can’t say “f—” if you’re on “Full House.” The video show [America’s Funniest Home Videos] was an accident because it was supposed to be a special. It just lasted for eight years. The only thing that’s dirty about me is I say inappropriate things and I drop the f-bomb a lot. Otherwise I’m not as dirty as any of the other people I’m looking at that I love. The new stuff I’m doing now, I’m really happy with. It’s still perverted and weird, but I can’t help what I find funny, which is usually odd.

MEC: On Nov. 17, it was announced you would be doing a show called “Strange Days.” Are you allowed to talk about that yet?

BS: Yeah, it’s all over the Internet. A&E announced it. It’s me going out and studying subcultures that are different and weird. The one we shot already was me going to Ukraine — it’s called “The Ukraine.” I found out it’s like saying, “The Russia,” but I didn’t know that — and getting guys mail-order brides. Finding girls that want to marry an American and come here. It’s comedy-documentary. I’ll go watch [the Burning Man Festival] or go on the road with a biker gang. We’ll try and get some Amish teenagers to see if they want to jump their group, if I’m allowed to film Amish teenagers. It’s me just talking to them and having real conversations and living with them — well, not living with them because I’m still a spoiled bitch — and getting into people’s lives.

MEC: It sounds like it’s going to be awesome. I heard you are going to rush a fraternity for the show.

BS: Yeah, that’s one of the plans. We’ll see. Let’s find out if anybody … maybe you have one at UMaine, right?

MEC: Plenty would love to have Bob Saget rushing their fraternity next semester.

BS: It was really strange. I got honored by Harvard. B.J. Novak, who’s on “The Office,” was a student and honored me. It was pretty interesting; it was when I realized fraternities were calling to me. This writer, who is a very funny writer friend of mine named Danny Chung, grabbed me that night and we went to look at frat houses. We weren’t filming anything, we just went and knocked on the doors and he said, “I got Bob Saget, can we come in?” We just went to all these fraternities. We just walked around.

MEC: People in college right now are the ones who grew up seeing your face on TV. How do you feel when you are around people our age?

BS: It’s nice. I feel that I’m at that age. The stuff I do when I’m doing my standup free and clear and just letting myself go, that just feels like I’m talking to myself, I’m talking to my friends.

MEC: Well, I’m glad you feel that you are our age.

BS: It’s true, I mean I don’t see any difference. I look up to people that are younger. It’s nice to be around people that have a blinded confidence because as people get older, sometimes they get beat up by things, and they get worried. They go, “Life will surprise you,” and “Life is tough.” The new generation coming up, the smart people know that life is tough. They’ve been raised with that. I have nothing but respect for people that are college-age. I get kind of emotional about it because as fruity as it sounds, the college people are the future. I’m the stupid one at my show. I’m the 15-year-old kid who’s talking about his weiner for 45 minutes and then I get to sing about it [laughs].

MEC: If you feel so much like you are our age, what are the odds you are going to be showing up on stage high or drunk?

BS: Oh, never. I can’t work that way. I can’t perform. I can’t think. I think I’ve had booze in me five times in my 35 years of doing standup, and I think I’ve smoked pot like once or twice before, and it just made me insanely paranoid. I have to be completely clear, like an athlete. Unless it’s good steroids — I would take a ton of steroids to bulk up on stage. That’s a joke. I would not take steroids. People, like, want to get me stoned or buy me shots, it’s like, “Dude, I’m working.” It’s not what you want your Northwest [Airlines] pilots to be doing when they’re missing the runway.

MEC: Going in a completely different direction, what was your time on Broadway like?

BS: It was one of the best things I’ve ever done in my life. “Drowsy Chaperone” was the play I did on Broadway. It was such a good show, and I was so proud to be in it. There was 1,600 people a show. There’s just no fear when you learn how to do that. It really helped me as a performer in every way.

MEC: A lot of people know about your standup but not many know about your comedy songs. What do you feel your role is as a comical musician?

BS: I’m a really bad musician. I’m unbearably bad, but I love playing and I’ve written a ton of songs. I can’t stop writing songs. A couple of them people sing with me. They love “My Dog Licked My Balls” — it’s a very powerful song.

MEC: Do you still talk to the cast of “Full House?”

BS: All the time. I did a benefit [Nov. 9], and John Stamos came up and did auction items with me, and Mary-Kate and Ashley [Olsen] came to the event and sat with my real daughters. I saw Candace [Cameron Bure, who played D.J.,] yesterday, and Lori [Loughlin, who played Becky,] yesterday, and I talked to Jodie [Sweetin, who played Steph,] the other day, and I talked to Dave [Coulier, who played Joey,]. … I have a lot of love for everybody with that show.

MEC: So the whole cast is going to have Thanksgiving together?

BS: [chuckles] No, I’ll be with some dear friends and two of my daughters. We’re going to have a nice family night. I like Thanksgiving.

MEC: Well, hopefully you can pack a turkey sandwich for when you come up here.

BS: Oh yeah.

Tickets for Bob Saget, sponsored by Student Entertainment, are $18 for students, $25 for the public and are available in the CCA box office.

This act reflected the tone of the night. The Decemberists played with an energy and furor unrivaled by most performers. They turned the show into a shared experience for everyone there — making the auditorium feel no bigger than a small club.

“Everyone on stage was just completely into it,” said Katie Prestinari, an attendee who traveled to the show from Bar Harbor. “[Singer Colin Meloy’s] jumping around was so intense. I was screaming so loud. It was great.”

The concert, sponsored by Student Entertainment, featured openers Laura Veirs and the Hall of Flames. Viers’ overly indie sound created a relaxing mood as the stragglers took their seats. Her sparse orchestrations, rich harmonies and playful lyrics seemed like something straight off the “Juno” soundtrack. A delightful calm before the storm.

As soon as the Portland, Ore.-based fivesome — Meloy, Jenny Conlee (keyboards), Chris Funk (guitar), John Moen (drums) and Nate Query (bass) — took the stage, the crowd was uproarious. The rows upon rows of skinny jean-wearing hipsters, trendy indie chicks and thick-bearded adults keen to modern music were captivated as The Decemberists milked their first ending on “July, July!”

The band rocketed through a stellar set of new songs and old favorites. “The Rake Song,” off their latest album, was immaculate, featuring Conlee and Funk on auxiliary percussion parts that rattled bones. Flawless transitions let the band flow beautifully from one classic to the next. Standouts, like “16 Military Wives,” consistently caused the crowd to erupt.

Even Meloy’s stage banter, ranging from lobster jokes to the proper pronunciation of “Orono,” made the audience go wild. His charisma was unruly.

“Most rock stars try to act like comedians, but these guys pulled it off,” said Kevin Malmstrom, an older, non-student attendee.

The excitement during the show doubled when the band came back for the encore and the crowd had rushed to the front. The crowd danced, flailed, jumped and enjoyed every other type of rowdy physical movement possible. Security flocked to the stage to help.

“I thought it was awesome everyone rushed to the front,” said Abtin Mehdizadegan, vice president of Student Entertainment. He also said that there was concern because people were standing on top of the orchestra pit, eventually leading to fans being moved a couple feet back. “It’s just not made for that much weight.”

But when one fan repeatedly refused to back away from the stage, only to be hassled by security, guitarist Funk yanked him on stage. The wild fan, with a sweatshirt tied around his waist, was given Funk’s guitar — he had no ability to play it — and flailed uncontrollably. Obnoxious noise was all that could be heard coming out of the guitar.

Just before, Funk led the crowd in a horrendous cover of Outfield’s “Your Love.” Their romping ending was an extended version of “Chimbley Sweep.” Not only was the fan on stage, but Meloy also gave his guitar away to another young fan. Funk ended up shirtless, flab hanging out romantically, by the time the song came to an end.

Mehdizadegan considered the concert a great success and hopes to continue to bring diverse artists to the University of Maine.

“I want to keep bringing shows that are fun and well received to the students,” Mehdizadegan said. “It’s been good testing the waters to see what UMaine likes, and I think I’ve found it.”

The show will not feature the “Hazards of Love” rock-opera in its entirety due to conflicts with the cast, according to Abtin Mehdizadegan, vice president of Student Entertainment. However, the band is expected to play a selection of songs off the album. Opening will be Laura Veirs & the Hall of Flames.

Though The Decemberists are very different than Dierks, Student Entertainment hopes to build on the last concert’s success, according to Mehdizadegan.

“I think students really like having options here,” said Mehdizadegan. “I mean we brought Dierks; we’re bringing The Decemberists. It’s two very different genres. I think it’s cool to just experiment with it, and ticket sales have been amazing.”

“I am excited because it will be my first real rock concert,” said Charity Harmon, a UMaine student who plans on attending the show. She was not disappointed that “Hazards of Love” will not be played in its entirety. “You don’t go to a concert to hear the CD,” Harmon said.

A limited number of tickets are still available. They are $16 for students and $22 for the public, and can be purchased on the CCA website or at the CCA box office.

Bentley was referencing his hit song, “Sideways,” which, like many country songs, is all about having a good time. For country fans, Bentley’s honky-tonk romp was probably the second-best way imaginable to ring in the weekend, just behind a cold beer, which surely many crowd members enjoyed after the show.

The show, featuring Dierks Bentley and opening act Josh Thompson, was put on by Student Entertainment with help from Bangor area country radio station Q 106.5. According to Abtin Mehdizadegan, Vice President of Student Entertainment, 4,640 tickets were sold, doubling the 2,300 sold for Panic at the Disco, the most recent concert in the Alfond in spring of ’08. It was the first time the Alfond had sold out since the Grateful Dead concert in 1983; a non-Student Entertainment event.

The record-breaking crowd formed a human sea dotted with NASCAR logos, white tank tops and gaudy cowboy hats. Fans poured out of every small town across Maine, where the simplicity of country music still speaks to the simplicity of life.

“I’m from ‘The County,’ way up in Aroostook County, and country is very big up there,” said concert attendee Emilee Currie. “We’re always listening to the country radio station way out on the field roads.”

The lyrics in opener Josh Thompson’s songs embodied the country attitude that hung heavy in the stadium. He sang songs about the Bible, guns and John Deere. He lamented getting older in his song “Growing Up Is Getting Old,” and praised the simple pleasures of life in his song, “Beer on the Table.” His one-dimensional song structure grew a little tiresome, but the simplicity of country music is perhaps what gives it such pervasive draw.

Dierks was able to explode within the simplistic form of country music. From the moment he stepped on stage, the Alfond was electric. Bentley bounded around the entire time, running out on the catwalk and jumping on top of the monitors. His back-up band was extremely talented and he gave them plenty of room to showcase their skills. Two huge video screens were on either side of the grandiose stage, displaying images and videos throughout the set.

“[The concert] was fun, energetic,” said attendee Andy Shorey after the show. “He had us all standing the whole time. He just does what he does, all the time.”

Dierks sang songs that the audience could relate to and they sang right along. He sang about love in his song “Every Mile a Memory,” about good times in “Sideways,” and about chasing girls in “What Was I Thinking.”

It may have been hard for some to find sympathy for him during his songs about heartbreak — his handsome looks could have gotten him any enticing young lady in the place. Every girl, and probably some guys too, couldn’t help but swoon as his curly, golden locks bounced up and down while he strummed his guitar. And he certainly didn’t pass up the chance to flirt with the lucky ladies in the front row.

Dierks was enjoying himself just as much as the audience. “Personally,” he said as the lights came down for a sparse acoustic portion of the show, “personally I think this kicks a–.”

He told the audience about skating with the UMaine hockey team earlier that day and pulled out a jersey with his name on it — easily the highlight of the night.

“He’s a huge hockey player, and the fact that he got to go skating with the [Black] Bears — he hadn’t skated in two months — he loved it,” Mehdizadegan said. The athletic department’s cooperation with the event helped make everything run very smoothly, according to Mehdizadegan.

For Mehdizadegan, the success of the show went far beyond what happened on stage. He said the help from his team of volunteers and Bentley’s staff made for a perfect concert experience.

“I think — and I can say this with a lot of confidence — that this show was absolutely flawless,” said Mehdizadegan. “I think people enjoyed it because he’s a great performer. He’s pretty mainstream when it comes to country. He’s not too niche based. Student Entertainment has never done country and when I came into the job, I knew I wanted to do different genres.”

With a crowd of nearly 5,000 packed into the Alfond — 1,900 of them students — it’s hard to deny country’s widespread appeal. Love it or hate it, the show sold a little less than twice the amount of tickets the Dropkick Murphys (2,800) and O.A.R. (2,500) sold last fall, and over three times as many as Ben Folds (1,350) last spring.