Denis Leary: No Cure for Cancer

I was using some long journeys and my mp3 player to catch up on some audio-books and comedy shows that I had missed or not heard of for years. I was of the age at the time of this show where I was familiar with Denis Leary but not with Bill Hicks and I remember being quite impacted by the angry comedy of Leary. This time round I listened to No Cure for Cancer having listened to a few Bill Hicks shows (including Relentless)and was surprised by the similarity between the two. The boards are full of "influenced/stolen" debate so I'll not get too much into it here but I do have to say that in this show Leary is not just doing the same "themes" as Hicks but is often doing the same joke using slightly different language. The Jim Fix reference is the oft-quoted one but when you add John Lennon's murder, metal fans committing suicide, warnings on cigarette packs and so on then it is hard not to be distracted by just how much common jokes there are – not common ground, but actual jokes.

This aside though the show is still funny and enjoyable, mainly because Leary keeps the energy high by simply never stopping ranting and shouting. Some here have called him the greatest ever stand-up and, while I think they are way off the mark here, he is a good performer. His material is mostly good but not great, mostly because he doesn't inform it so much as shout it. However this shouting is what works and you can feel his anger to the point where you end up laughing along with him whether you agree or not. Sadly beyond this he doesn't have a lot in this show; time has shown him to have more range that has helped his career but he plays his strongest card here throughout.

No Cure for Cancer is not brilliant but it is a good example of "outraged" comedy. No doubt it is far too similar to Hicks' material to be of comfort but Leary himself helps by being convincingly and consistently angry, keeping the show's energy high throughout.

The only thing I have to say about the comparisons between Bill Hicks and Denis Leary is this- Bill made his special, "Dangerous", in the 1980's. Leary's "No Cure For Cancer" came out in the early 1990's. I'm just saying this because I'm tired of the people who praise him saying "If I'd heard hicks first, blah blah blah." Well, there's your proof of Leary's theft.

Anyway, I happen to like Leary's style. To be honest, I think the guy's talented as hell. But, because of his unfortunate sellout to animated movies and commercials, I cannot keep myself in any state of respect for him. Not to mention his theft of Hicks' style which put him on the map in the first place. I like Leary, but what he's done is unforgivable as far as I'm concerned.

As for this special, it's a decent comedy special with enough political insight for you to get your kicks off on (if you were so intrigued by it). While he manages to get a couple of laughs (Especially with the French material) I myself could not find myself laughing merely because of the fact that was previously stated. Not a bad special, just wish he would have at least admitted to his wrongdoings.

This is one of my fave comedy albums of all time. When it came out I had it on tape and would have worn it out if I had not lost it. I then replaced it on CD and still love it even today. Unfortunately somebody told me about Bill Hicks and when I checked him out I was so sad and disappointed. Leary absolutely lifted parts of Hicks' persona, routine, even flat out some of his jokes. It is too bad. It is still a funny album if you take it for what it is.

I never knew Denis Leary was a comic until I saw this special (I just thought he was a talented actor). Now I know he is a talented comic/actor. Here, he examines how the country has changed with drugs, rehab, more drugs, smoking, meat and many other things that show he is insane in his comedy. But he is also sincere when he talks about his son and his father (though I never laughed so hard at the thought of wood paneling). Great comedian, great fun, with a very memorable song to sing along with. A+

OK...I cannot believe this...but at the time (1993-1994) I first saw "No Cure For Cancer" and although I was/am a HUGE fan of standup comedy, I had never heard of Bill Hicks. When I saw "No Cure...", I was blown away by it...and so...in a way, am glad I did not know of Bill back then. I learned of Bill a couple of years ago and have since been on a mission to learn...see...hear... everything I can get my hands on about the marvelous work of the extremely talented man that was Bill Hicks.

I got my hands on a complete copy of Bill Hicks Independently Produced (Sacred Cow Productions) Standup Routine "Saneman" which was performed in Texas in 1989. NOTE: Saneman- 1989...No Cure For Cancer- 1992!! As I watched "Saneman", I was beside myself...LMFAO! Bout Near Peed My Pants! Then came the part of the routine where Bill does the "voicebox" bit. Up until this point, I still did not know of the connection...or should I say...allegations (of) between Leary & Hicks...BUT...I knew right then and there that Leary had snagged Hicks material. Leary isn't the only one...Carlos Mencia should also be considered a "snaggee". You can't really blame them though! Bill's work is so far superior to anything else being done then...or now. Only two comedienes... IMHO ...are above Bill and they are the late great Richard Pryor and the prolific and ever-producing George Carlin. Bill refused to "sell-out" and therefore his work went mostly unheard of by the masses. Leary & Mencia, I'm sure, figured...what the hell...this great stuff is just sitting here...WTF.

Every comediene uses other people's material a little...but style is another matter. Sam Kinison & Bill Hicks created the "Outlaw" or "Rock & Roll Comediene" persona. They created it together when they worked with each other in Texas. Denis Leary on the other hand was not part of those beginnings. He wasn't even a comediene and had no interest in becoming a comediene. He wanted to be an ACTOR! Which is precisely what he is...an excellent actor. He fooled us all into believing he was a comediene...twice. Once with "No Cure..." and then again five years later with "Lock N Load"...which is no where near the caliber of "No Cure..." Unfortunately for Leary...Bill died and therefore Denis had to use other writers for the task.

At this point many of you are thinking...she's crazy! Well yes, I am! Thank you for noticing. But nonetheless...Denis Leary is an actor. Then & Now! Don't believe me. Hear the words straight out of the horses mouth. Denis did an interview with NPR radio in 2002 that speaks volumes. Here is the link:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1388917

Under the title "Actor and Comedian Denis Leary" there is a little red box that says "Listen". Click it and kick back.

For those of you who have still not had the pleasure of viewing or hearing Bill Hicks...run...don't walk to youtube.com and check out the offerings there. It will give you a taste of the man's abilities. Careful though...you may find that you will hunger for MORE MORE MORE! Keep the flow...tst4titus