Comic banned - for being 11

Police in Idaho say Trevor Hattabaugh is breaking state law which bans anyone under 21 from entering bars, except for serving staff who can be 19.

Hattabaugh had been attracting media interest following his dozen or so performances at the Funny Bone club in Boise – but his fledgling career may now have to wait until he’s older.

Funny Bone boss Pat Mac says he wasn't aware he was violating any law as Trevor was accompanied by his parents and wasn't allowed into the licensed area until he went on stage.

The interest in Trevor prompted an inquiry from David Letterman’s show for a DVD of his performance, to see if he might be suitable to appear on his talk show – but the ban means the young comic is stuck for somewhere to film it.

‘The only other place I could shoot it at my house, and my mum and dad aren’t the greatest audience,’ he said. ‘Tough crowd.’

Trevor's mother, Sam Sandmire, says she wants the law changed to make an exception for underage performers.

Comics who have previously started performing before the legal drinking age include Bill Hicks and Ross Noble.

Click here to watch Hattabaugh’s act.

Published: 8 Feb 2007