This isn't exactly a high water mark in the history of stand-up comedy, as typified by the sort of crap usually found on TV (see: Mencia, Carlos), and by the recent experience I had in Philly, when three out of six comics on a bill were booed off the stage (actually, that last thing might say more about Philly than the state of comedy, but I digress...)
Anyway, despite this, I saw two great televised stand-up specials over the weekend: Louis C.K.'s "Shameless" on HBO, and Demitri Martin's "Person" on Comedy Central.
I have long been a fan of C.K.'s stand-up, he directed the cult classic "Pootie Tang," while also creating and starring in the now-canceled HBO show "Lucky Louie," which was watched by myself and about ten other people. The show was a bit uneven, but I'm pleased to say the stand-up special is funny from beginning to end. The same goes for Martin's very different but just-as-funny special, which incorporates music and drawings along with the traditional stand-up. Both great specials, and they should be repeating frequently.
Posted by Stephen Silver at January 17, 2007 04:42 PMI also liked Lucky Louie. Look forward to watching the show.
Posted by: J. Lichty at January 17, 2007 05:07 PM