David Cross: Bigger & Blackerer

Like everyone else in the UK who tells the truth, I found David Cross via Arrested Development and fell for his comic timing there. His stand-up followed for me on CD and I found a comedian with strong timing but also this very political edge combined with an inherent ability to hold imaginative shocking opinions but to present them in a way that rings true – to this day I do not think I have laughed harder at anything other than when I heard him challenge new parents (who say "it's sooooooo hard") by telling them to try talking their girlfriend into her fifth consecutive abortion – now that's hard.

Anyway, I quickly came to love him and I came to this special not put off by the poor previous TV project I had seen of his (Let America Laugh). This show is 100% stand-up with no documentary aspect and it mostly keeps up a good pace. Cross covers some obvious material, moves through politics (in regards healthcare and misinformed voters) and has time to consider the social etiquette as applied to using a date-rape drug tester on your drink during your first date – so essentially those used to his style of comedy will be on familiar ground. Mostly it is very funny and mostly he avoids the easy joke or obvious material and his stuff is fresh and feels insightful. Not sure about the young kid swearing at the start for the sake of it, or the rather laboured "signer" bit but once past these he gets up to speed and he is very funny.

This special is not as strong as some of the material of his I have on CD but he is on typically good form here and feels light on his feet and funny. Fans should take a look of course but this is funny enough to catch the casual viewer as well.

David Cross has gotten older, but seemingly hasn't lost a bit of that anger or spark. His writing has matured some, and he's become more adept at getting to the heart of an issue with a unique perspective. His evolution to something of a political comedian was like watching someone find themselves and his observations of the Republican Party and their voting base works perfectly with his sardonic wit. Don't worry, he's still got plenty left for religion, calling the bible "the world's oldest game of telephone" and Mormonism the "Scientology of its day." Probably too audacious and subversive for most, but has much to offer for the counter culture.