Mark Normand: Soup to Nuts

In true Mark Norman fashion of speed balling the jokes, Normand fits more jokes into a single 50 minute set than most comedics would have spread across five different specials. The low tone zingers are plentiful, but so is the constant pacing back and forth and flailing hand gestures that become borderline nausea inducing. The jokes are wide ranging, but they never really push the edge or go too far. As social commentary, Soup to Nuts is a safe play. While I never found myself laughing hysterically, those who are removed from watching comedy regularly will probably find it just satiable enough to keep watching.

I didn't like how he recycled some jokes and premises from out to lunch, but overall this special was great. It had me laughing out loud in a way that I haven't been capable of in some time. I'm getting aware of how he forms his jokes, having watched/listened to hours of his material, yet the punch lines remain pleasurable. I can't think of another performing comedian like him. Some similarities to other comics, some similarities to bygone eras yet still fresh. I hope he continues to grow in popularity. I hope this type of comedy continues to grow in popularity. Some of us still want to have fun.

Constantly pacing back and forth, same basic mannerisms for every punchline. How many times is he going to grab his chin? Waiting for the funny, still waiting. Starts a rhetorical question, followed by two to three Constantly pacing back and forth, same basic mannerisms for every punchline. How many times is he going to grab his chin? Waiting for the funny, still waiting. Starts a rhetorical question, followed by two to three Constantly pacing back and forth, same basic mannerisms for every punchline. How many times is he going to grab his chin? Waiting for the funny, still waiting. Starts a rhetorical question, followed by two to three.

Certain eras coin people and elevate them above others forever but when it comes to comedy specials this is not such a time, and Mark Normand, despite his talent, remains derivative of others- particularly Chris Rock (who he practically mimics at one point) and Jerry Seinfeld. He has some great lines but the man/woman stuff doesn't quite work, the "let's go back to fun racial slurs" is the plea of an old man and his unvarying tone and setups lose your attention at times. He remains king of the podcast one liners but even he can't change the fact that specials are starting to look like something from another age.

Setup, punchline, setup, punchline. This works great for brilliant, imaginative comedians like Mitch Hedberg and Dimitri Martin, but Mark's payoffs are more at home at a high top in a bar.

You can't argue that Mark isn't clever, but actual laughs are sadly sparse.

The rest of this review is dedicated to the brave men and women who created this special. It was directed by James Webb, who discovered Mark in deep space, tapping his space suit's radio link saying, "is this thing on?" It was filmed in Chicago as established by an early shot of Chicago and the background sounds of hot dogs unwrapping.