4/5
The Laugh Pack.
Is it me? Or is the art of stand-up comedy one of the most underrated and appreciated forms of expression in the entertainment business? We can't help but talk about it. And 'Is It Me' or is Chicago town's own Sebastian Maniscalco one of the best working comedians dropping the mic today (although he's too classy to do that)? The funny man brings a fondness to his relaxed, cool club groove experience. From 'Why Would You Do That', to 'What's Wrong With People'. No need to put a question mark, you know why. You know the reason. Think of it as what it would be like if Huey Morgan from the Fun Lovin' Criminals did stand-up. Who else would roll up his copy of a 'Hamilton' Playbill and use it to drum a Bon Jovi song on his knee? But whoa, okay, we're halfway there, alright? Between trading musings with Jerry Seinfeld or the legend's classic Netflix morning commute 'Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee' (so much so, he was asked back for another ride along), or having the best quip on the Oscar winning 'Green Book' when he gets Viggo Mortensen's watch back and adds a couple of dollars to the asking price for his troubles ("what am I doing this for free?").
Now, suited and booted for the strip like Sinatra, Sammy and Dino, Sebastian Maniscalco heads to Las Vegas for his new comedy special 'Is It Me'. His first since 2019's 'Stay Hungry', which we have been like people out here in the desert are thirsty. All for streaming service Netflix who continue to prove they're a joke weeks after Trevor Noah marked his last run on 'The Daily Show' with his new set 'I Wish You Would'. Maniscalo mad man's up in a suit and bow tie that the ol' blue eyes of the Chairman of the Board would be proud of. Oceans urging the crowd to do the same (about 11, 12, or maybe 13 did so). He wants to bring The Rat Pack back. The old Las Vegas for our sins. Because it seems The Strip has been stripped down of what it once was. But it's still a Bellagio abundance of riches and neon, and as Sebastian hits town for his residency he blends black and white (and some hilarious doctored photo-ops) into glorious gold, seamlessly.
What's the matter with you? Sebastian Maniscalco is back to ask what's wrong with people again. Who would he do anything else? Get your fill, because everybody gets it. Those who wear masks on a little chain like they were old lady glasses. Those who refuse the vaccine because they think its a scam ('I Wish You Would' see Trevor Noah's hilarious, too true take on that too). The Walgreens that provided him with his. And don't get us started on audible people at the urinal, or how long it takes his wife to get out the car (you know what I'm talking about, Dad (love you Mum)). There's even an outrageous bit about one of the kids at his son's school identifying as a lion in one of the best openings to a comedy show in years. And just wait until you hear the kid's name (it ain't Leo).
Outraged? C'mon! What's wrong with you? Maniscalo makes the most of modern life's ills and draws a fine line between what's right and wrong like Ronny Chieng's 'Speakeasy'. Not going too far for people like many though 'The Closer' Dave Chappelle did. But still keeping it hilariously real. Returning to coffee order's even funnier than Larry David curbing our enthusiasm with "one of those vanilla bull#### things", like he did opening his career on Vince Vaughn's 'Wild West Comedy Tour'. To his hilarious facial expression reactions to those male midriff types that get a little too close to the scones for comfort. The kind of people you find yourself sitting next to on a Greyhound bus (although I'm not much better, riding with Peter Pan from. Manhattan to Boston). And just wait until one of the greatest performers of physical comedy today does an expression of said dog. Man, Windy City's finest knows how to bark with the best of them. Yes, it really is him. TIM DAVID HARVEY.
Laugh Longer: 'Sebastian Maniscalco: Stay Hungry', 'Trevor Noah: I Wish You Would', 'Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee'.
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