STAND-UP REVIEW: JAMIE FOXX - WHAT HAD HAPPENED WAS...

4/5

Straight From The Foxxhole

68 Mins. Starring: Jamie Foxx, Anelise Estelle Foxx & Corinne Foxx. Director: Hamish Hamilton. On: Netflix.

"If I can stay funny, I can stay alive." A beautiful belief that kept Eric Bishop going when all seemed lost. Earlier last year, it was reported that Oscar winning actor, Grammy winning singer/songwriter, and soon to be Emmy winning comedian, triple-threat Jamie Foxx was fighting for his life. And we had no idea what to think, never mind do, as rumours leaked like baby oil sales (just order it online and never, NEVER in bulk. And NO, not for that). Was it Diddy?! Nope! That's debunked! Is this Jamie, a copy?! C'mon! Please! Just because he was in a Netflix movie last year called 'They Cloned Tyrone'. The Internet is a wild place and was killing the gregarious talent who likes to do that with kindness. Jamie Foxx had a "mysterious illness" as Katt Williams, and a hilarious impression, alongside the likes of Dave Chappelle, Denzel Washington, Jay-Z, 'Winner' and 'Live In The Sky' collaborator T.I., of course, Mike Tyson, and Donald Trump, puts it. But all is revealed on the world's most successful streaming service for 'What Had Happened Was...'.

Jamie's fourth stand-up special (after his big-three of 'Straight From The Foxxhole', 'I Might Need Security' (where he originally gives it to Diddy (take that, take that)) and 'Unleashed: Lost, Stolen and Leaked!') and his first with Netflix (Is A Joke), is bold, brave and beautiful. It's classic Foxx stand-up, from the stage, to singing behind the piano like Luther Vandross (and "a little Anita"). Putting the compelling storyteller, with smarts, heart and of course, humour, next to the Netflix luminary likes of Chappelle, Bill Burr, Ali Wong and John Mulaney who detailed his own, different type of recovery on the brilliant 'Baby J'. 'What Had Happened Was...' stands next to that as a stand-up with so more, as it soars closer to God. ATL stand up! As Jamie keeps Georgia on his mind (like when he played 'Ray', making it do what it do, baby), performing this set in Atlanta's Alliance Theatre. Just 400 yards from the Piedmont Hospital and the "cool white doctor in a Lakers jersey" that saved his life. Much like Jamie Foxx did another man's life. Now Google THAT, Internet, if you want to see what had happened there.

Back in action (like his long-awaited 'All-Star Weekend' to come) on Netflix, like a Cameron Diaz reunion (after 'Annie's' hard-knock life), the 'Project Power' superhero, 'Day Shift' vampire hunter and 'Dad Stop Embarrassing Me' sitcom star (with a beautiful book, 'Act Like You Got Some Sense: And Other Things My Daughters Taught Me') brings his beloved to the stage. Introduced by his actress daughter Corinne, who he got to walk down the aisle on her wedding day recently. And serenaded by the defibrillating guitar of his youngest, Anelise Estelle in the purest moment of this raw, honest, and heartbreaking and healing return to the light. Giving it up to the glory of God and the family that stood by him, like the doctors and the nurses at his bedside, Eric Bishop was truly humbled by what almost took his life, but instead gave him a new one. He didn't remember 20 days, but now, he's cherishing every one. From refusing help like Wesley Snipes in 'New Jack City', the true story lies with a man who said "I'm motherf#####g Jamie Foxx", until an aid called Holly humbled the Hollywood star. All until he touched a new one.

Yet this is a celebration of one of the world's biggest talents across all sorts of entertainment, and he deserves his moment to bask. Best night of his life. Walking back out onto stage with open arms and tears embracing his cheeks. Dancing to rap records after people said he was paralysed. This Hamish Hamilton directed stand-up truly is a special as you don't know whether you're crying tears of laughter, joy, or pain. But just like asking what's Jamie famous for (acting, singing, or stand-up), it's all three. Just like this is more than music, movies, or comedy. A one-man show worthy of the kind of thing the great John Leguizamo does. It's so good to see the 'Soul' star back, as the 'Unpredictable' mic man, drops 'Django', 'Ali' and 'Any Given Sunday' nods to show you he's an original, like few others. Especially no damn clone. You must be dreaming. Returning from the brink like fellow Marvel hero Jeremy Renner. The child from Terrell, Texas is back! Live in living colour. The Jamie Foxx show just doesn't stop! For real though. Staying alive and staying funny. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Back In Action', 'They Cloned Tyrone', 'Dad Stop Embarrassing Me.'