Bill Burr: Drop Dead Years

It's fascinating seeing "Ol' Billy Red Bush navigate becoming a father. I first heard his material in 2004-2007ish on this cool new app called Pandora. I heard these cool 3 minute bits as part of a comedy channel. Back then he was an angry hilarious butthole. A few months later I saw him in person at the Improv in Houston, Tx. Back then he was just a young ranting comic with solid material that connected with me as a 24ish year old. Now, all these years later, I see him evolving, as both a comedian and a man and a father . And as a dad of 21 years, I can relate to this so much . The bald ginger is 100 authentic.

It's great seeing how Burr has evolved since Chappelle Show while growing up and staying true to himself. It's also fun seeing him riff on subjects he has seemingly already done, but has found new perspectives as he has matured. There are probably going to be some political tears in other reviews despite the fact he doesn't let either side off the hook. I still love that he is one of the few white comedians to tackle American racism in a thoughtful, nuanced, and hilariously truthful way. His last couple of specials weren't bad but they didn't land with me as his older material had. And it sounds like he has been through a lot later in life. As a guy in my late 40s it resonates. His joke about fighting his dad was so on point I had to pause it. Definitely worth the watch and looking forward to seeing him continue to grow.

The first half of this special features an old man complaining, using a whiney voice to sound humorous but not say anything funny. I was worried. Burr is a legend. However, legends do fade away, given enough time. But it was too soon for that.

Thankfully, the second half picked up, and I saw the Bill Burr we all know and love. It does feel like he's playing it safe, but I suppose that goes with age for some. His observational humor is less insightful and more on the nose. There is less self-deprecating humor this time around. That's what made Burr likable, in my opinion. He would eviscerate subjects and then make it personal, which is hilarious because many of us would see ourselves in him or someone we knew. Not so much now. Still worth watching, though.

It's refreshing to see that stand-up comedy can still be genuinely funny. Too often, comedians rely on saying something "edgy" just for shock value, but when Bill does it, he actually brings up meaningful points in a way that feels natural and well-crafted. Great comedy makes you think, and that's exactly what his latest special accomplishes-it's both thought-provoking and entertaining from start to finish. This is his best work yet, showcasing his ability to analyze different subjects with nuance, wit, and precision. It's this sharp insight and masterful delivery that solidify him as one of the greats in comedy.

Bill is back. I'm glad to see he's still got his edge. Only he can take self reflection and turn it on its head with whitey but yet crass humor. His political commentary is also spot on. While listening to this special, I find myself not just laughing but nodding my head in full agreement with his exposition.

Tbh, this was one of those specials that gets better as you rewatch it. Certain jokes hits at a different time and I just didn't fully appreciate it the first time around. This is my third time through and I'm laughing it all over. A lot of other specials don't have this type of staying power, and for sure, I will be watching it for the fourth and fifth time. Enjoy!