STAND-UP TUESDAYS: Hannibal Buress

May 22nd, 2012

Angie Frissore

Stand-Up Tuesdays is 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, Angie puts a spotlight on Hannibal Buress. If you or your comedy troupe would like to be featured on Stand-Up Tuesdays, please email utgjames@gmail.com.

Microphones in the derriere, bloodless airport shootouts, and really awful college newspaper articles…it’s got to be a brand-new special from the ever-hilarious Hannibal Buress. Released today through Comedy Central Records, the comedian’s new special, “Animal Furnace”, debuted on Sunday night on Comedy Central, much to the delight of comedy fans.

The special features Buress’ trademark deadpan wit and laid-back attitude, along with a self-assured confidence that naturally comes with success. Buress moves fluidly through his set, expertly doling out hilarity with every road observation or retelling of a night out at the club. Unlike a lot of observational comedians, Buress adds a healthy level of randomness to his jokes, taking his audience to places they’d simply never experience otherwise.

“There’s no such thing as sippable bomb water! You’re being silly right now!” Buress quips, relaying a tale of trying to get bottled water through airport security.

I always find random humor to be the most entertaining – and Buress is no exception. One of Variety’s “10 Comics to Watch” in 2010, Buress recently won the award for Best Club Comic at the 2012 “The Comedy Awards.” He has appeared on the “Late Show with David Letterman,” “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,” “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson,” and numerous other late night TV shows. He also has made primetime appearances on “Louie” and “30 Rock,” and will appear on the upcoming Comedy Central series “Kroll Show” and “John Oliver’s New York Stand-Up Show,” as well as the Adult Swim series, “The Eric Andre Show.” Buress has previously worked on the writing staffs of “30 Rock” and “Saturday Night Live,” and released his debut album, “My Name is Hannibal,” in 2010 on Stand Up! Records. “Animal Furnace” is an appropriate milestone in such a mounting career, presenting us with Buress at his comedic (and random) best.

“Those are two awful jokes,” Buress states at one point, “but I just like saying, ‘hop on the shuttle bus,’.”

While Buress does commit one of my biggest pet peeves in touching upon his job as a writer for SNL, he manages to relay a story about working with Megan Fox (and naturally, his excitement at having her in his office) and having a sketch bomb in front of Loren Michaels – bringing up SNL for Buress is more of a contextual set up than the comedian citing his own accolades, which lends nicely to his likability and absurdity.

“It’s cool if you wanna have a handlebar moustache but don’t try to have a conversation with me like you don’t have a handlebar moustache.”

If you haven’t already…say it out loud with me: Hannibal Buress’ “Animal Furnace” (see what he did there?) is a perfect example of what a comedy special should be. At no point does the comedian try to express his political or social views or take a stand against something – he’s simply telling clever and random (and often somewhat silly) jokes that are truly enjoyable.

Pick up your copy of “Animal Furnace” today via Comedy Central records, and it won’t be long until Buress has made the top spot in your list of favorite comedians.