Patter a Retrograde Step?

Obviously Gary McCormick and Sam Hunt have developed this technique to capture the attention of pub type audiences. But I can't help feeling that the patter has become the mainstay and the poems just fillers. He even went so far as to read us a story (his "novel") in lieu of a poem.

In terms of entertainment this does not really matter, but in terms of the development of the poet it is a retrograde step. Sam Hunt at least seems to have maintained his romanticism and sensitive moments (though I haven't seen him lately).

Despite these criticisms I still enjoyed Gary McCormick. I just feel that he has yet to reach his full potential. Still, he had the audience in a fine mood for the juggler, mime artist and comic who goes simply by the name of River. His set began with the familiar mime where he tries to talk to the audience but the audience can't hear because an invisible wall is in the way.