Bill Hicks: Relentless

I try to avoid the Denis Leary/Bill Hicks "taking sides" stance, because no one knows for sure what was stolen, who might have stolen what, and so on and so forth. Evidence has been put forward for both parties - I try to focus on their individual acts and not let the controversy over who's the real "genius" ruin their performances. Everyone steals from everyone - in the end, it's who did it best that matters.

Hicks was very funny. Misunderstood in his lifetime - and understandably so - but his death has given him a more legendary status amongst comedy aficionandos. In this classic performance from '92, Hicks rants about everything - politics, smoking, abortion, music, life, death, sex - and hits some really funny stuff.

Unfortunately, in my own opinion his actual delivery is not as funny as some other comedians. Hicks went for the throat - and sometimes he went too far. He was a great comedian, but I think a few more years would have helped him perfect the actual delivery of his jokes, because as you can hear in this recording, he often pauses or messes up his jokes (presumably because he forgets the next line).

If you enjoy comedy, this is a must-have. It's one of Hicks' classic performances and a classic performance by any standard, really.

I searched Google for "best comedy specials of all time" and this one was #2. For reference, Dave Chappelle's Killin' Them Softly was #1 (and that's a well-deserved rating). So, I was excited to watch this.

But, it was awful. Just really, really bad. The guy makes these stupid faces and laughs at his own terrible jokes. I kept waiting for it to get better, but it never did. I wish I could get the time I wasted watching this, back. I would go get a root canal, instead.

Comedy is merely the hook on which Bill Hicks hangs a series of biting observations about subjects such as drugs and war and government.No cosy anecdotes about the colour of navel fluff to be found here. The high shock factor and skilled delivery almost disguise one of the most nakedly emotional performers of the last 20 years. Because of the depth and resonance of the material this is one of those rarities: a stand up performance that bears repeated viewings.

Relentless by name, Relentless by nature.

Bill Hicks is considered a comic genius and one of the greatest comedians of all time. He's SO overrated. Sure, the guy was intelligent, and he had some important and insightful things to say, but none of it is in a comedy friendly format. He's more like a stand-up motivational speaker/commentator that thinks he's funny. He literally shoved the mic in his mouth in one of his specials yelling into it causing the mic to spike and sound painfully obnoxious. I can't stand his stupid monkey faces where he always just sticks his bottom lip out He's simply not funny. Another thing, he drags on his specials with unfunny material and laughs at his own jokes. People need to get there head out of his ass. There, I said it.

People are going to say, " Oh, you just don't get Bill Hicks," No, "I GET" Bill Hicks, and its awful.

George Carlin, Doug Stanhope, Richard Pryor, Louis CK, Bill Cosby, Sam Kinison, Woody Allen....all great stand-up comics...Bill Hicks shouldn't even be in the same breath as these guys!

I really wanted to like Bill Hicks, I watched all of his specials for free on you tube, and it was a huge waste of time. I get the appeal for some people, but he was just a bad comedian. He also came off like a pretentious douche who thought he had all the answers. Nothing but a flash in the pan.

Final note: George Carlin and Louis CK: 10 out of 10. Bill Hicks: 2 out of 10

Apparently the DVD version of Bill Hicks's comedy special Relentless- filmed from the Montreal comedy special where he finally broke out as a stand-up star- is not quite complete. It runs an hour, and is missing some footage. Luckily, there's enough that remains, and in mostly good enough condition, to suffice calling it an exceptional effort. With maybe one or two little moments where he lags, this is some of Hicks' most flawless work, as usual ranging from cigarette/non-cigarette fatalities, supporting the war but not the troops, playing music backwards ("You're Satan!"), BJ's, and of course drugs. Every bit is stinging with some kind of savagery, witty and with the right targets but never too mean (well, unless you're New Kids on the Block), and even giving a jab at Canadians as it is, of course, Montreal. But the delivery, too, comes sometimes out of left field, a little calm and subtle but with a kind of right sucker-punch that manages to really work the crowd well; just wait till he gets to the stuff about Alabama and you'll start rolling on the floor. It's brilliant stuff. 9.5/10