Denis Leary: No Cure for Cancer

In "No cure for cancer" Denis Leary hammers some points to his viewers: He has used all the drugs there are. He loves to smoke. He hates people who whine about having it hard. This may sound great to people who agree with him, but to me Leary seems to lack an important comedy element: jokes. For example, at one point Denis Leary tells us that he hates people who whine about having a hard childhood, and they should "shut the f*ck up". This is one of his most cited pearls of comedy. I'm not kidding. Beside the lack of jokes and ideas, what irritates me about this irritated man is the way he constantly underlines the fact that he has had a really tough life and he is really rock'n'roll. He actually sounds like some damn Bon Jovi he so much hates. By the way, did you know that Denis Leary is a LIBERTARIAN? Imagine him whining "Boo-hoo, i don't wanna pay my taxes, governments are the cause of all evil"..shut the f**k up.

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.

PERFECT! This was a great special. I have this on CD on I laughed my A** off. Denis is a great actor and a great comic who tells great stories....and great trash talk. his songs are full of hillarious lyrics about serious things. He is my 1st favorite comic/actor. My 2nd favorite is George Carlin. This deserves a 9/10.

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

Denis Leary proves his insanity in this show. When he goes ballistic while talking about the French, it's like he needs professional help. He is one of the most talented comedy acts alive (a good heir to the Bill Hicks throne) and he has a way of communicating that is different from any other. When Denis jumps into the story about his brother and the Bow and Arrow set, i almost fell out of my seat, and that stone-cold father of his...unbelievably funny.

See this show. It's incredible!