STAND-UP TUESDAYS: Hannibal Buress

April 1st, 2014

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’ comedy career. If you or your comedy troupe would like to be featured on Stand-Up Tuesdays, please email utgjames@gmail.com.

We’re kicking off Stand-Up Month in style this week with the latest release from comedian Hannibal Buress, aptly titled Hannibal Buress: Live From Chicago. Airing this past weekend on Comedy Central, Live From Chicago features Buress riffing on everything from his home town to solving the world’s water shortage issues…in less than stellar fashion.

Having been a fan of Buress for years, Live From Chicago sadly did not present a performance I might have expected, with the comedian sometimes stumbling over his jokes and losing focus at times. After making sure his audience is well aware of his involvement in NBC’s 30 Rock, Buress relies on drunken stories and absurdities to carry him through – such a disappointment.

Okay, even I can’t keep this up.

I mean, after all, it’s April Fool’s Day- and it physically pained me to type those words, even in jest. Buress is the man, something that is clearly evidenced in his new special. Taking on a slightly more energetic attitude than his previous special, Buress delights his hometown crowd with his special style of slightly silly material and offers a hilarious idea on how to spice up your next bachelor party by citing the ease with which one can establish a five-person parade through New Orleans on a day’s notice, complete with police escort.

There’s something very small and simple that Buress interjects into his act that truly makes it stand out. While musing about going to a rap concert in which the headliner simply hung out on stage listening to his own music, Buress couples his punchline with a little bit of audio that absolutely makes the joke. It’s one of two moments in the special that are enhanced in such a way, and it’s just pure simple brilliance in the end result. You’re not expecting it, as there is nothing set up on stage to indicate any accompaniment (as you would with a Jim Breuer special, for example, where a full band is sometimes used), and it works perfectly.

Buress is a wildly popular comedian, writer and actor whom The New York Times praises as having an “irresistible” comedic presence that lands squarely between “cerebral and swagger.” In addition to his second one-hour special, Buress is a cast member on the hit Comedy Central series Broad City as well as FX’s animated show Chozen. He recently shot a pilot for his own Comedy Central series and is also the co-host of Adult Swim’s The Eric Andre Show, which will shoot its third season this spring. Later this year, Buress will also make appearances on the big screen in the feature films Neighbors, starring Seth Rogen and Zac Efron, and Flock of Dudes, starring Chris D’Elia, Eric Andre and Hillary Duff.

Hannibal Buress: Live From Chicago is a whole lot of fun to watch and/or listen to and will instantly make fans out of all who enjoy it. Buress’ effortless-yet-epic humor truly sets him apart from his comedic peers and should be an integral part of your comedy collection. Hannibal Buress: Live From Chicago is available today to download at CC: Stand Up Direct or at iTunes.