In watching Robin Williams's comedy specials from the 80's, I was struck by how much I didn't actually laugh. Considering it was his prime, a lot of the time I didn't quite 'get' or really just take in most of the jokes he was doing, as a lot of them had him going out into the audience and just ragging on random people's items. Ironically enough he shines in this special, taking on so many topics it would make your head spin for me to list them all. But he's constantly moving here, like in his 80's specials, while still giving the audience some room to breathe here and there, without pounding over the head. He goes after plastic surgery, South American Soccer, the French, (a bit before it started churning up) the US and the Middle East/Iraq, and very memorably a tale of Jesus and his forgotten brother, Jerry. Even when one isn't laughing, it's still putting-a-grin kind of material he's working with. In the year last when he was really on fire (he at least had one good film among three, Death to Smoochy, Insomnia, and One Hour Photo, the latter two in my top 10 of 2002), for me he delivered his best in quite a long time, a wonderful comeback with enough sarcasm, energy, and curses to float a sinking boat.
Review of Robin Williams Live on Broadway
Robin Williams Live on Broadway
(2002 TV Special)
better than I expected, and re-watchable
23 February 2006