"Let's Clear the Air" - A Comic In Transition

Stand up comic Jim Breuer's comedy special: "Let's Clear the Air" on Comedy Central is appropriately titled, for a comic whose brand is making the transition from googly-eyed pothead to post-party family man.  Reading his recent interview in Punchline Magazine gave a very clear preview of the type of humor we'd see in his act, and it was a masterful and accurate example of public relations put to good use.  Expectations were clearly set, and did not disappoint.

The whole performance was about transition, and he cleverly crafted its beginning by acknowledging that although he works hard at what he does, his face looks stoned at all times.  With droopy eyelids and what my dear, departed mother called a "shit-eating grin," Breuer certainly has the appearance to warrant the material.

Family and Success

Breuer's act largely covered his family and the concerns of a family man.  Backdropped by photos of his children, Jim demonstrated where the party lifestyle collided with the needs of the home, including a very entertaining bit about staying out too late, getting up early to wrangle children, and the foolhardiness of forestalling hangover with a pint of peanut butter.  Also - and I say this with all due reverence - Breuer did the worst Dave Chappelle impression I've ever seen as he hilariously described the one time he had to work while under the influence during the pothead movie: "Half-Baked."

His take on success and its trappings left me wanting more, including a hilarious bit about having your own kangaroo as a mark that you've arrived.

One thing I admired about Jim Breuer's performance was the way he handled the mike.  He used it with percussive effect, whacking it against his hip when needed to provide explosive illustration.  Whether it's a knock at the door, a kangaroo kicking bystanders or a kid falling out of bed, it's demonstrated with excellent mike work.

Marrying the Old and the New

The end of the show blended some old with some new.  Existing fans will be familiar with his showstopper, mimicking Brian Johnson of rock group AC/DC with startling deftness to the metallic strains of "The Hokey Pokey."  Breuer carries on this tradition by imagining the fiery James Hetfield of Metallica in some toddler melodies.  The briefest bit in this vein was also the funniest in my opinion, as Jim gave his doddering impression of Ozzy Osbourne doing "London Bridge."  I think I laughed up an internal organ.

Many comedians have had to eventually manage the transition from party animal to moderate family man, and I don't know if I've ever seen it done more expertly, more fully or more funnily.