Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was...

So Jamie foxx is a talented guy guy but him going over his greatest hits reminding the audience of what the majority appears to be his church of why he is loved was less than entertaining. I know he's multi talented an actor, a singer and a comedian but this was a Comedy special not a conversion opportunity . Way too heavy in the conversion and on reminding you on why he's relevant but very little on the comedy . I'm a Christian and appreciate the attempt to bring strangers to Jesus but this was a very weird attempt at a comedy special. It was more a sermon than a standup and I can appreciate he's gone through a lot and been reborn but it feels like he's had a real crisis of confidence and while I'm glad he's back and healthy it's weird to see a man of his stature need to remind himself in public in a comedy special he's "important" but my problem is there were very few jokes and most were only about him and his status. Him being ray Charles or jango isn't impressive it's a recipe to be forgotten. He still got something but hopefully he gains sa bit more perspective and writes some original material that has nothing to do with his existing celebrity z.

What Had Happened Was... is a slightly erratic and highly emotional special that addresses the biggest question straight away from the only perspective that really matters. It's Jamie Foxx setting the record straight in his own words in a deeply open fashion whilst still finding the time to get a few big laughs from what he's been through. His uncannily accurate impressions get time to shine and he spends so much of this special on the verge of tears which keeps it highly investing.

The atmosphere of the special is pretty strong thanks to a really responsive crowd who are always on board with what Jamie does and there's some great reactions from them. The musical interludes are equal parts funny and emotional and they elicit big reactions from the crowd as does his sermon-like storytelling, culminating in a well deserved standing ovation to ensure this ends on a pretty big high to counterbalance most of the issues beforehand.

I thought the first 15 maybe 20 at the most would be him explaining his story and move on with a bit of Jokes talking about his new movie or even anything other than himself but nope just a solid hour of Me me me and black pandering to God and the Audience. If he wasn't a clone before I would definitely see him more so now. Should not even be labeled as a comedy its more like a Documentary first then maybe a Gospel. Wow this is bad I literally fell asleep and flipped through today to see if I missed anything but nope. Just a man crying for an hour straight and tanking god for his survival while the Audience preaches on.

This had its moments of brilliance, particularly in his trademark impressions, which showcased his undeniable talent as a performer. However, much of the show struggled to connect, bogged down by a tone that felt more self-aggrandizing than self-reflective.

The repeated phrase "...But I'm Jamie Foxx" came across as overly self-important, as if he was leaning too heavily on his celebrity status to set himself apart from universal human experiences like health struggles and personal setbacks. Instead of inviting the audience into his world with humility or insight, this refrain felt alienating and, frankly, tiresome. It seemed to suggest he believed he was somehow immune to life's trials-or at least that his handling of them should inspire awe simply because of his fame.

Beyond the hubris, some of his observations felt out of touch, as though they were crafted with an audience of peers rather than everyday viewers in mind. While Foxx's natural charisma and comedic timing still shone in spots, especially in the impressions, those moments were overshadowed by a number of cringeworthy missteps.

Ultimately, the special had flashes of brilliance but was undermined by a tone that felt more focused on celebrating Foxx's persona than delivering relatable or truly incisive comedy. Fans of his will find things to enjoy, but many might walk away wishing for less hubris.

Jamie Foxx is a natural storyteller, and this shines through in his retelling of his health scare. Though he recounts a frightening and emotional experience, he skillfully lightens the mood with humor, cracking jokes about his time in the hospital and his interactions with the medical staff.

This balance between comedy and vulnerability creates an uneven but engaging experience. One moment, Foxx is on the verge of tears, and the next, he's delivering expletive-filled jokes that leave the audience laughing.

At its core, this is a testament to his gratitude-for life, for a second chance, and for the people who supported him through the ordeal. While it's not a traditional stand-up special, it's an entertaining and heartfelt reflection on survival, resilience, and appreciation.