Neal Brennan: Blocks

This is a pretty good special. I've been critical of the "jokes followed by things getting super serious" format, but he doesn't do it badly. It's still not perfect, and still feels a bit weird, but he puts a little more care into it than other specials I've seen (I don't think Iliza Shlesinger's latest did a similar format very well, for example).

The humorous parts are pretty good, too. It's overall a consistently engaging, funny, and sometimes thoughtful special, even if it doesn't blend all of that together into one seamless hour. I may be a little harsh on it, because at the end of the day, it's still well above average for a modern-day comedy special. I just wish I'd found it great, rather than good, and it was so close for me to being something more than just "good."

At one point you get tired of even the best comedians doing another Netflix special. You start to get their commonly shared condition of self-loathing, self-deprecation and self-harm and it diminishes your joy about what you see and hear and are supposed to laugh about.

Neal Brennan in this (and his previous) set unmasks this condition and gives you insight. And instead of laughing about him you will give him your sympathy and laugh for him.

That is what makes this Netflix comedy special (oddly categorized as "documentary") so much more sustainable.

There is nothing forced or acted out or phony about it. Neal Brennan is authentic even when, at the end he reveals a little optical trick that he skillfully prepared throughout the entire act.

The result is an extremely funny, entertaining and heart-warming exercise in self-analysis that many non-comedians can relate to, as well.

Watch Neal unload everything weighing on his mind. He puts it all out there, and delivers one of the most thoughtful, hilarious, and unifying performances I've ever seen. He divulges more in front of the world than most people would in therapy sessions. This man was pivotal in launching Dave Chappelle into superstardom, and questions his own value, as we all do.... whether we choose to admit it or not. If someone like Neal Brennan can feel this way, it's okay for you to talk about what's on your mind also. There are people who want to listen, and genuinely want to help. I hope Blocks was as therapeutic for Neal as it is for everyone who sees it. Peace to all-

It's hilarious but be prepared for it to also be touching and poignant- even a bit sad. But it's balance at its best bc it's perfect humanity. I've never seen anything like it. And I don't toss around words like 'brilliant' lightly. It's so human and relatable and supremely entertaining all at the same time. I'm a new fan and definitely one of his biggest! I don't know why IMDB is requiring I write so much more bc I feel I've said enough but here it is: it's absolutely fantastic so do yourself a favor and watch it!! It's so very great and different. You will laugh and come close to crying - or like me, find yourself wanting to call him to meet for a coffee and a chat.

Neal Brennan is a treasure! A brilliant comedian with the most precise wit that just hits the spot. His comedy is like one of those copper scalp massage things. It's like he can reach into my brain and directly tickle it. As an aside, I was appalled and infuriated to hear of Chris Rock's lame public joke against Neal. And seriously? Chris Rock? In his entire body, he doesn't have an ounce of the brilliant comedy that Neal has in his little pinky. But back to this special, it's fantastic. I love the dead pan delivery and I absolutely love the jokes themselves. They're sharp, relatable, and fantastically executed. Neal, please don't make us wait another 5 years for the next special!