Rodney Dangerfield: Opening Night at Rodney's Place

I'm not familiar with Rodney Dangerfield's work, but from this TV movie alone I'd be willing to take a look at more of his stand-up or movies. The acts were all fairly good, with Jeff Foxworthy being my favorite of the bunch. The only one I didn't really enjoy was Larry Reeb, whose personality was off-putting and his delivery too dry for my liking. The skits could also go on for a bit too long, but the last one featuring Sam Kinison was probably my favorite part of the entire show. You'll enjoy this if you like Rodney Dangerfield, and I recommend it if you're into old-school comedy.

I saw this on some premium channel the other night, and let me just say it has not aged well. Is this what passed for comedy in 1989? Watching this now, you'd think that cursing in a comedy had just been invented. Every time someone drops the f-bomb, the hideously dressed and mostly white audience howls with laughter. Really? Sure, I used to laugh pretty hard when my friends and I would use a curse word, but that was when I was in second grade and wasn't supposed to be saying them.

To be fair, I'm sure shock comedy was the way to go then. Audiences weren't used to people screaming obscenities on stage, and the outrageousness of it must have been pretty funny. But you need more than that today. For comparison, watch The Aristocrats, a veritable how-to for weaving shock into real laughs. Without coherence, timing and (gasp!) actual jokes, the only thing this special elicits today is yawns.

It is 2019 so this was made 30 years ago. The 80s compared to today is night and day. To compare comedy from today to this is pointless. This is history not just comedy. These comedians paved the way for today's comedians. Historical comedy cant be enjoyed the same way as present comedy, you have to understand Americas history and see our past faults as the comedy. This isnt you present day ted talk dressed up as comedy, this is bare bones no holding back 80s comedy. Give it a chance that's all I'm saying. If ya dont like it, stop taking it so seriously, cause the comedians in this special definitely arent.