Patrice O'Neal: Elephant in the Room

Probably the one of the funniest special ever! I am just shocked that how much underrated Patrice is. I have seen this special once every year and it never fails to make me laugh my ass off. I miss this guy so much!

Patrice O'Neal: Elephant in the Room (2011)

*** 1/2 (out of 4)

I think it's fair to say that if it wasn't for THE ROAST OF CHARLIE SHEEN then perhaps Patrice O'Neal wouldn't have such a following. It seems like everyone was introduced to him through that special and then that led people to want to see what else was available and sadly there wasn't much. Patrice would die not too long after these two specials were made and it's a real shame because they both prove what a major talent he was and sadly it was taking away much too early. The film certainly lives up to its title because O'Neal goes after everything from race to harassment to sexual diseases and even goes after the people in the crowd. The going after the crowd is something that many great and bad comedians have went for but I must say that I've never seen anyone as great as O'Neal. It's always a tricky subject because the comedian can't come off too cruel because he'd lose the crowd and it really is just amazing to see O'Neal work the crowd, have fun with them and never lose them. Just watch the way how he'll start off a topic, get a few cracks about himself in and then head out to the crowd to make fun of a few people and bring them in on the joke. Even better is how O'Neal can take what they say and then run with it in a whole new direction. There are countless hilarious moments to be found here but my personal favorite was probably the bit dealing with harassment and why there should be a day each year when men can say what they want to women without going to HR. Another hilarious bit deals with why black women get punched while white women get killed. There's even an off-color remark about the Natalie Halloway case that just comes off too funny not to laugh. There are a couple dry moments during the uncut, 77-minute version but there aren't many. The majority of the running time has O'Neal just going full out and really delivering some hilarious moments.

I knew O'Neal from Arreated Development, The Office, and fell in love with him on the Charlie Sheen roast. A must view if you haven't seen it. The comedy central special illuminated who he was, and what motivated him. A tragic and touching story. To watch his stand up is to see Belushi, Hendrix, or Lennon. He was an artist at the top of his craft taken from people who cherished him. While Elephant is offensive to some, it is howingly funny. When Bill Burr says O'Neal was better than anyone else around, that speaks volumes.

Patrice O'Neal, rest in peace, was a longtime NYC area comic who I initially was not a big fan. I had seen him on several things on comedy central as well as several sets at the comedy cellar. However, when I watched this comedy special air on comedy central it completely altered my perspective on his comedic abilities. This is an incredibly funny and partially improvisational set that has virtually no unfunny segments. I honestly would say it is one of the best sets I have ever seen. If you can't find somewhere, download it at the pirate bay. Anyway, do not miss this rarely seen and completely overlooked comedy gem.

The man had a way with words and wasn't afraid to use them. Great advice for young men growing up and thinking they know what is going on. I think everyone needs a bit of Patrice in their lives. RiP Patrice.