STAND-UP TUESDAYS: Christopher Titus

June 21st, 2011

Angie Frissore

We have been saying it for weeks, but Under The Gun Review is undergoing an evolution of sorts and part of this change involves the unveiling of many new, recurring features. Today we are continuing the debut one of our most anticipated features, a weekly comedy spotlight written by the wonderfully talented Angie Frissore. Covering both known and unknown comics, Stand-up Tuesdays is your new source for all things funny.

This week, we are putting a spotlight on Christopher Titus and his latest special, Neverultion. If you or your comedy troupe would like to be featured on Stand-Up Tuesdays, please email utgjames@gmail.com.

Christopher Titus is set to release his fourth full-length comedy CD, Neverlution, on June 30 – and this time, he’s got a few bones to pick with the world.

Recorded at the Escondido Arts Center in Escondido, California, Neverlution is a fresh break from Titus’ usual brand of bad-childhood humor, instead pointing out the rampant stupidity that plagues our society today. With his prolific wit and ‘hard funny’ comedy style, Titus touches upon everything from Lady Gaga to childhood obesity – without having to rely too heavily on stories from his youth.

Titus is one of few comedians to have a 90-minute special air on two networks, and rose to popularity in 2000 with his own Fox sitcom, Titus, which was based heavily on his standup (specifically his first special, Norman Rockwell is Bleeding) and loosely on his personal life.

Through his specials, fans have come to know Titus as a darkly hilarious comedian from a not-so-easy background, who has battled his own fair share of demons. Neverlution seems to take what Titus has learned through his hardships and channel it into an almost poignant view on life – including an epiphany about his own father’s love.

It’s not all quite so touchy-feely, mind you – Titus breaks the conventions of political correctness to say what most of us either won’t, or simply choose to ignore. Our kids are fat, our men are weak – and our biggest pop star is a “vapid pop-cancer Madonna mini-me.”

“Music is dead because Lady Gaga lives,” Titus quips, in reference to his disgust at music in 2011. “Really? Is that the best we can do? Puh-puh-puh-poker face? This midget with a speech impediment is music?”

Building off the success of Norman Rockwell is Bleeding, The 5th Annual End of the World Tour, and Love Is Evol, Titus takes his comedy to slightly less-dark, yet even more hilarious places in his new special. But he may have reached one uncomfortably dark place earlier this month in an appearance on The Adam Carolla Show podcast after offering up some less-than-choice words for Sarah Palin.

“You know what man?” Titus said. “I am going to literally — if she gets elected president, I am going to hang out on the grassy knoll all the time, just loaded and ready — because you know what? It’s for my country. It’s for my country. If I got to sacrifice myself, it’s for my country.”

Titus later apologized via Facebook, first to the Kennedy family, then to “Ms. Palin’s family,” and asked for people to “stop the death threats.”

The comment was based on the fact that America has set the bar so low with what we accept as a possible leader. Just imagine Sarah Palin sitting in a negotiation with Putin, Ahmadinejad or Hu Jin Tao. Let’s all take a deep breath, and stop the death threats. Apologies all around.

Comedy club, comedian, bad joke. Common sense would tell anyone that I was not actually threatening to kill anyone.

Titus then went on to express his frustration that his comments generated such a huge reaction, while a comedy benefit show for Insight Youth Project couldn’t get that many people fired up.

It’s almost the perfect publicity stunt for a man who’s set to release a CD like Neverlution – Titus stands by his principals and opinions about our country, and our apathy towards it, but never loses sight of his sharp and intelligent humor.

Neverlution will air on Comedy Central on July 30 as an hour-long special, and will be available in stores and online on June 28 as a 90-minute double-CD. Pre-order now at Newbury Comics and receive a limited autographed CD Booklet with purchase (while supplies last).

Written by: Angie Frissore