Bridgeport club owner apologizes to Pete Davidson over stand-up brouhaha

The owner of a Bridgeport comedy club has issued a public apology to Pete Davidson following a Monday night incident when the “Saturday Night Live” funnyman stormed out of the venue before his scheduled appearance.

The incident, which was first reported by the celebrity news site TMZ, occurred at Vinnie Brand”™s Stress Factory. The TMZ report stated that Brand told the audience ahead of Davidson”™s gig not to shout out mentions of Kate Beckinsale and Ariana Grande, two of Davidson”™s celebrity ex-girlfriends, which Brand followed by a 5-minute stand-up set of his own. According to TMZ, Davidson found Brand”™s instructions to the audience overly sarcastic and specifically told Brand that he was not to do stand-up before he came on stage. Davidson posted an Instagram video saying Brand “disrespected me and did something that I told him not to do and I can’t perform under those circumstances,” although he added ticketholders to his aborted performance would be welcomed at a free show to be set up at a later date in an undetermined location.

Brand, in a Facebook posting co-signed with his wife, Vicki, refuted the TMZ report, insisting that he cleared his comments “with Pete”™s security team and made the announcement without any attempt to be funny or insincere.” Brand added he “always respected and liked Pete” and that he “reached out to Pete”™s team several times to try to bring this to a better conclusion.”

“Pete I am truly sorry that announcement upset you,” Brand wrote. “I was trying to make certain you were cared for and that you enjoyed your performance. I”™d love to put this behind us. You know we have a good long history prior to this. Hopefully you”™ll think about that and we can do that show you promised where it was intended to be in the first place. If not, I will always still wish the best for you and will root for your continued success.”