Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was...

In April 2023, news broke that Jamie Foxx had been hospitalized in Atlanta with what his daughter described on Instagram as a "medical complication." Not much else was revealed, and in the vacuum of information, rumors spread. When a photo of Foxx appeared online, some conspiracy-minded types called it a clone. Katt Williams even jokingly questioned and made fun of his "mysterious illness."

Now Foxx says he wants to set the record straight. Speaking in a theater a few hundred yards from the hospital where he says his life was saved, Foxx enters wearing sunglasses but takes them off quickly to wipe away tears. He says he experienced a brain bleed, suffered a stroke, temporarily lost the ability to walk and doesn't remember 20 days of his life. It's a moving performance that feels like part of a growing trend of how comics deal with medical catastrophe.

I appreciated that it wasn't a traditional stand-up comedy show-he blended impersonations, music, and footage from past projects, which I found refreshing and creative. I also understand and respect his gratitude for a second chance at life. However, I didn't care for the frequent use of the N-word, excessive profanity, and how talk about God was mixed in with it. I believe he could express the same messages without the profanity and the N-word. That said, I loved seeing his daughters as part of the show, and it was clear how genuinely thankful he is for his journey and the opportunity to live For Life.

This had its moments of brilliance, particularly in his trademark impressions, which showcased his undeniable talent as a performer. However, much of the show struggled to connect, bogged down by a tone that felt more self-aggrandizing than self-reflective.

The repeated phrase "...But I'm Jamie Foxx" came across as overly self-important, as if he was leaning too heavily on his celebrity status to set himself apart from universal human experiences like health struggles and personal setbacks. Instead of inviting the audience into his world with humility or insight, this refrain felt alienating and, frankly, tiresome. It seemed to suggest he believed he was somehow immune to life's trials-or at least that his handling of them should inspire awe simply because of his fame.

Beyond the hubris, some of his observations felt out of touch, as though they were crafted with an audience of peers rather than everyday viewers in mind. While Foxx's natural charisma and comedic timing still shone in spots, especially in the impressions, those moments were overshadowed by a number of cringeworthy missteps.

Ultimately, the special had flashes of brilliance but was undermined by a tone that felt more focused on celebrating Foxx's persona than delivering relatable or truly incisive comedy. Fans of his will find things to enjoy, but many might walk away wishing for less hubris.

What happened was I had no idea what happened to Jamie Foxx so I thought to myself I didn't know Jamie Foxx did stand-up, and everybody was talking about this so I should check it out. Imagine expecting jokes and you get a confessional / testimonial of this guy's stroke journey, complete with gratitude and praising god. So I did not really resonate with this cause I don't really resonate all that much with Jamie Foxx and this discourse is clearly tailored to his black audience, and there are some funny bits here and there, I won't deny it, but not enough to keep me invested. I actually paused it straight in the middle weeks ago and finished it just now just for the sake of finishing it. This second part did have some funny stuff like the Denzel, Chappelle and the Trump impersonations (the last one was totally unexpected, but so, so good) and he ended it on a high with singing, so that was good. But not really worth my time if I'm honest. Not my thing.

This is not a comedy special. Jamie spends an hour explaining his health scare. It is obvious that this was a humbling experience. Rest assured, Jamie is the same funny and talented guy as he's always been. Jamie taps into his locker full of impressions to help him navigate the story. Some of his past roles are highlighted. You will see a lot of raw emotion throughout the special. He gives thanks to his family, God and the staff at Piedmont Hospital, in Atlanta, Georgia for helping him to get back on his feet. Both of his daughters make a special appearance. If you are a longtime Foxx fan then this is worth your watch.