Bill Burr: Drop Dead Years

One of his best specials. It is all of the things I appreciate about Bill Burr's style. If you're a long time fan of the podcast or his stand up, there's still plenty of fresh material here to keep you invested and laughing. If you're neither, it's a fantastic stand up special that feels organic and unapologetic for all the right and funny reasons. Tame by Bill Burr's standards, but well thought out and unbelievably funny in a world full of cookie cutter stand up material. There are times when the jokes drag on just a bit too long, but I'm genuinely grasping at straws trying to find constructive criticism here. One of my favorite stand up specials in a long time.

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.

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.

Its weird, the first half is mostly Bill talking about how hes learning to chill out a bit in his old age...and it wast funny. It came off as safe, middle of the road, aging comedian stuff...I was worried that Bill had finally become the staring old man whos actually dead on the inside from his famous bit....but around the half way point, the old troll goblin we all love comes out and starts swinging for the fences. I had some good laughs.

Honestly I hope Bill is taking care of himself, but I think this special shows us 2 ways his career could go at this point...into safe mainstream weak comedy, or into the future as a bonafide immortal comedy legend.

Bill do what you gotta do in your home life, but keep that RAGE on the STAGE. It's you at your best.