Mark Normand: Soup to Nuts

Certain eras coin people and elevate them above others forever but when it comes to comedy specials this is not such a time, and Mark Normand, despite his talent, remains derivative of others- particularly Chris Rock (who he practically mimics at one point) and Jerry Seinfeld. He has some great lines but the man/woman stuff doesn't quite work, the "let's go back to fun racial slurs" is the plea of an old man and his unvarying tone and setups lose your attention at times. He remains king of the podcast one liners but even he can't change the fact that specials are starting to look like something from another age.

Combines a great, unique delivery with very funny material. His style is often like a throwback to comedians from before the Carlin/Pryor era but his jokes and stories are, in no way stale. There are just so many great comedians with specials out there now and hopefully this doesn't get lost in it because it's a gem of a show. And it's nice knowing that the next generation will have guys like Normand and Morril around for a long time. It's hard to review stand up specials without ruining the jokes, but if you like humor about things like having sex with down syndrome people, you will enjoy this show.

Constantly pacing back and forth, same basic mannerisms for every punchline. How many times is he going to grab his chin? Waiting for the funny, still waiting. Starts a rhetorical question, followed by two to three Constantly pacing back and forth, same basic mannerisms for every punchline. How many times is he going to grab his chin? Waiting for the funny, still waiting. Starts a rhetorical question, followed by two to three Constantly pacing back and forth, same basic mannerisms for every punchline. How many times is he going to grab his chin? Waiting for the funny, still waiting. Starts a rhetorical question, followed by two to three.

In true Mark Norman fashion of speed balling the jokes, Normand fits more jokes into a single 50 minute set than most comedics would have spread across five different specials. The low tone zingers are plentiful, but so is the constant pacing back and forth and flailing hand gestures that become borderline nausea inducing. The jokes are wide ranging, but they never really push the edge or go too far. As social commentary, Soup to Nuts is a safe play. While I never found myself laughing hysterically, those who are removed from watching comedy regularly will probably find it just satiable enough to keep watching.

I didn't like how he recycled some jokes and premises from out to lunch, but overall this special was great. It had me laughing out loud in a way that I haven't been capable of in some time. I'm getting aware of how he forms his jokes, having watched/listened to hours of his material, yet the punch lines remain pleasurable. I can't think of another performing comedian like him. Some similarities to other comics, some similarities to bygone eras yet still fresh. I hope he continues to grow in popularity. I hope this type of comedy continues to grow in popularity. Some of us still want to have fun.