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No Comments [ Add Comment ]Other jokers brought laughter, mourning in '08
By BRAD GILLMANThe year past in humor saw the rise of Utah comedy as Wiseguys Comedy Cafe got some national attention with a MySpace Secret Show and the rise of Marcus, who grew up in the club's ranks.
Comedian Greg Behrendt was selected by MySpace to host a free show -- which he chose to bring to the Ogden club.
Overall, comedy in 2008 might be remembered for the stars who came back into the spotlight -- and the ones who left us altogether.
Marcus
The Utah-grown comic was a natural star on the small stage. He had the ability to turn the quietest crowds at the club into a room of salivating fans. After his success as a runner-up on NBC's "Last Comic Standing," the audiences got larger and the stage got bigger as he went on a nationwide tour with the finalists from the show.
When he recorded a DVD at Peery's Egyptian Theater in Ogden in September, the wise choice was to play to his strengths. So he fused his comedy with a rock format. A band opened and closed the show for him, and Wolf, from "American Gladiators," gave him an electrifying intro.
Marcus also demonstrated for nearly two hours that he's much more than an impressionist -- he portrayed only a few characters at the end of the show.
The DVD of the performance can be purchased from Marcus' MySpace page.
George Carlin
Carlin performed at Kingsbury Hall last May. One month later, the 71-year-old comedy pioneer passed away from heart complications. "It's Bad For Ya" was his 14th HBO special when it aired in March.
Watching his final recorded performance was much more of a surreal look at the lifetime comic. This was not the same Carlin onstage as in the '70s when he rocked venues with timeless material such as the "Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television."
Back then, he could attack the politically correct with a smirk on his face. Now, the smile was gone. Carlin hit the mike with hilarious bits about old age. But eventually, the material just felt bitter.
Still, this was after 50 years of touring nonstop -- the legend gave all he had. The final special was released on DVD in November.
Chris Rock
Rock has hit success with all of his videos. So naturally, on his newest video, his handlers decided to alter the production. They filmed Rock in three locations (London, New York and Johannesburg, South Africa) and edited the footage into a seamless cut of an hour and 25 minutes. The special currently airs on HBO, and the DVD will be released on Jan. 20.
The footage was edited better than most specials that are filmed in one city. But the attention seemed to be more on the transitions than on Rock -- which had the tendency to take the sting off the punchline.
As for Rock, he shows why he has been one of the best comedians of this generation. He can easily turn a joke about the presidential election into a rant about relationships. The material is edgy, profane, unbelievable -- sounds like Chris Rock.
Ricky Gervais
Surprisingly, stand-up comedy was not Gervais' first career -- or even the second or third. He was a writer, director, producer, and his most famous incarnation, actor.
His most well-known work was creating the U.K. hit "The Office." He's the executive producer for the American version on NBC.
Gervais performed at two stops in the United States in 2008, New York City and Los Angeles. They were recorded for his special "Out of England." He performed the show as one of his typical characters -- a self-serving, heartless man. That doesn't seem like the same man who is hailed for his extensive humanitarian work and praised by his peers.
The special highlights Gervais' bits about everything from his favorite war to his first studio apartment, but it leaves you wondering if you saw the true Ricky Gervais or another one of his characters.
Gervais' special is currently airing on HBO, with the DVD being released on March 31.
Mitch Hedberg
The news couldn't be better for Mitch Hedberg fans in 2008.
In September, Comedy Central Records released one of Hedberg's final performances. It's been more than three years since the rising comedy sensation died of a drug overdose.
The CD release was marked by several tribute shows in comedy clubs across the nation.
As for the album -- possibly the best example of his honored craft -- his timing on the infamous one-liners was spot-on: "I don't have a girlfriend, but I know someone who would be mad at me if she heard that."
The only disconcerting thing is that the performance serves as a final tribute. Hedberg's star could have risen much, much higher.
Newsmakers of 2008
* Dana Carvey returned to stand-up after leaving the entertainment business six years ago. His "Squatting Monkeys Tell No Lies" special aired in June.
* Comedy lost another legend when Bernie Mac died of pneumonia last August. He had two finished projects that were released after his death, "Soul Men" and "Madagascar 2".
* Jeff Dunham and his puppets' popularity continued to grow with a Christmas special. At the moment, there's no letdown -- he's on an arena tour. He will be in Utah on Jan. 22 at the EnergySolutions Arena.
* Despite his biggest comedy material leaving the White House, Lewis Black should have no issues finding things to make his blood boil. He once said that most of his jokes come from just reading the headlines. That skill was on display with his 2008 special "Anticipation"
* Every Louis C.K. special should come with a warning. If you have no concerns with uncensored comedy material, then Louis is your man. His "Chewed Up" special featured his outrageous, unabashed outlook on everyday life.
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