Patrice O'Neal: Elephant in the Room

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.

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!

This special is up there with delirious, killin em softly etc. Genius and hilarious

Patrice O'Neal, just like Greg Giraldo who died in September 2010, is a comedian that never got his proper fame. And now, it is unlikely he ever will. O'Neal died on November 29, 2011 from complications from a stroke he suffered in mid-October due to his diabetes. For his entire life he struggled with weight-management and diabetes. Elephant in the Room was his first, and only, comedy special he ever made.

What made Patrice O'Neal so unique was his spontaneous delivery. He referred to his specials as "conversational," and not of a typical breed. You can tell from Elephant in the Room that, while some skits were written, many jokes stemmed from the audience and audience participation. Patrice encourages fans to shout out answers to his questions so he can form a punchline in an impromptu manner. I think this is what a lot of people either didn't pay attention to, or didn't realize this and that's why he never reached a respectable height in his career.

If it hadn't been for his final Television appearance on The Comedy Central Roast of Charlie Sheen, I doubt many people would even know who he was. Same with Greg Giraldo. How many people would've known him if Comedy Central didn't make his name what is was? It's a question that will never be answered, just pondered.

Elephant in the Room is just what it sounds like. Patrice is referring to big issues like animal cruelty, racism, cheating, harassment, and many other issues, he feels, he needs to address. He tackles them in a way where humor comes natural, as it derives from the situation himself. Take for example when he discusses animal cruelty, a topic I really hate to bring up. It's a heartless and cruel form of abuse, like any type. Patrice doesn't poke fun at the idea, but the gratuitous, guilt-bringing commercials. Now that's funny.

Of course, there are times when the special doesn't go in the proper direction. In the very beginning, Patrice gets to hung up on the topic of "breasts" and the idea feels tired and dreary. I would've much rather seen Patrice use those minutes to provide more of his insanely spontaneous remarks and philosophy on unsung issues. He brings such valid points to the table, especially when talking about the over-exaggerated issue of harassment.

The special refrains from useless skit, which is one of the highest compliments I can give a comedy special. I hate skits. They're drab and unnecessary. Especially when it stars a comedian in costume when he/she should be on stage with a mic in their hands. Patrice devotes seventy-seven minutes to just him, the mic, and the audience. Patrice also refrains from excessive uses of the n word, a word used far too much with current black comedians. I can't recall Patrice using the word more than five or six times. Maybe he spoke so softly and fluently that it was muted, but I highly doubt it.

Sadly, Patrice's career ended far too early. His death was not only saddening because he was so young, but because we all know a seventy-seven minute special obviously can't contain the weight, no pun intended, of his philosophy and wit. I think he would've been one of the many comedians who got better with age and wisdom. He almost reminds me of the later George Carlin, circa 2004 - 2007. Carlin become more philosophical in his later years rather than his very blunt, vulgar character he created in the seventies. If Patrice could form a side of maturity pretty well at the beginning of his career, imagine how greatly it could've improved with many more years of experience.

Starring: Patrice O'Neal.