January 14th, 2011 
James Shotwell 
Comedian: Louis C.K.
Release: Hilarious
Street date: January 11, 2011
I think we go over this nearly every time a comedian or live dvd is featured here on the site, but these are easily the most difficult reviews to write. Not only is comedy a “hit or miss” art form for most people, but these releases are generally intended to impact the artist’s fan base (with the hope they’ll then spread the word). However, the latest release from comedian Louis C.K., entitled Hilarious, may just be the game changer we’ve been waiting on.
Where most comedy releases make it a point to showcase how large the theater in which the performance takes place in is, Hilarious chooses instead to remain as intimate as possible using what seems like only two cameras for the entire shoot. One of these cameras remains locked on Louis throughout from the waist up and the other, most likely a crane cam, hovers around to give us varying angles when his bits run longer than a minute. This creates a feeling that the performance isn’t pre-recorded, as much as taking place right before your eyes in the most comfortable comedy club you’ve ever visited and that’s a feeling I think any comedy fan can welcome.
As for the comedy, if Louis is one you enjoy (preview his material below), then you may consider this his finest moment. From kicking things off with a discussion on the amount of dead people and the similarities between Hitler and Ray Charles, to explaining why he can no longer masturbate to Girls Gone Wild, C.K. continually forces the audience out of their comfort zones and into a world only seen behind closed doors. These aren’t the observations of a mad man, but rather an honest collection of things we all think about, yet never have the cajones to discuss. Thankfully, C.K. has seemingly no shame when it comes to these matters and that’s what makes him one of the greatest comedians of all time.
I have no doubt in my mind Hilarious will quickly become a “must have” for any growing comedy collection.
Score: 9/10
Review written by: James Shotwell
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I’m assuming you don’t know much about Louis CK from this review. Louis makes it a point to not ever show the audience and keep the presentation of the show as simple and non “rock star” as possible. He has talked about this many times and is known for this – all of this DVDs are like this not just this one. Is this your first time viewing Louis? He is a great comedian.