Technically speaking, the two disc set is recommended.
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Disclaimer: This review will contain potentially profane and vulgar language which may offend some audiences. Discretion is advised.
I find comedy a very hard genre to appreciate. More often than not, I find the humor to be completely juvenile, offensive, unnecessarily profane or simply not funny. I´m unique in that regard. So with some trepidation, I wandered into "Def Comedy Jam," a long running HBO program showcasing up and coming comedians. Hosted by D. L. Hughley ("Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip") and produced by hip hop producer Russell Simmons, each half hour installment in this season features three or four stand up comedians riffing on everything from the state of male/female relationships, race relations, drugs, sex, living in certain US cities and anywhere else a person can find comedy.
The list of "Def Jam" alumni is long and distinguished. Tracy Morgan, Martin Lawrence, Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, Cedric the Entertainer…and that only scratches the surface. (Mark Curry, Katt Williams, Jamie Foxx…) This program is a breeding ground for new artists not only because it provides them an unfiltered forum to hone their skills to a national audience, but Simmons name lends validity to each act.
At the outset of every installment-there are ten in this season, originally aired earlier in 2008-Hughley primes the audience with a five minute routine, giving way to the amateurs. Thirty-seven rookies are given a chance here, followed by a brief send off by Hughley and Simmons. Music is provided by Kid Capri, a man who seems to be too old to be called "kid." In any event, this is going to be a polarizing program, no doubt about it. With curses and slurs coming fast and furious, it is the one comedian who keeps his act family friendly who stands out.
That would be Roy Woods, Jr., the opening act of Episode 4. His routine consists of African American comedy stand-bys like civil rights and racism. But it´s not what he says which makes an impact; it´s what he doesn´t say. Whereas the males and females preceding him use a litany of profanity, Woods, Jr. thinks about what he´s going to say, giving the audience an arguably better experience than anyone else on the two discs. Profanity is a way to make people laugh without putting effort into it. For instance, someone can say "George Bush sucks" and not have the intelligence to back it up. However, if the line references the money spent on the Iraq War or the various speaking problems he has, comedy ensues without being vulgar.
Which isn´t to say some of the other comics aren´t funny, complete with their muthafucka´s and nigga´s. It´s just that at the end of the day, 300 minutes of nothing but talk about crack whores and muthafuck´en Uncle Dope and the nigga sitting across from you…it looses it´s "funny," for lack of a better word. This language isn´t limited to the males on stage; the handful of female comics also through around all manner of vocabulary.
There is a wide swath of topics brought up here, especially by Hughley in his monologue´s. He takes shots at Don Imus, Michael Vick and Star Jones; erectile dysfunction medication; Republicans; diaper wearing astronauts; and a whole host more. It´s quite a shock hearing curses coming out of his mouth, especially for me when the only previous work of his I´ve seen was the aforementioned "Studio 60." Hughley is an agreeable host, upbeat and smart in the ways of stand up comedy. In some episodes, he´s actually the highlight of the program.
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