Bill Cosby returns to the stage

Bill Cosby's first comedy special in 30 years, "Far From Finished," will premiere on Comedy Central on Sunday, Nov. 23.

Ok, now that the lede is out of the way, holy heck am I excited for this. As you know, "To Russell, My Brother, Whom I Slept With" is my favorite album of all time. Though Cosby's been touring consistently over the past few years (I still haven't seen him...I need to fix that) he has not released a new special in what seems like a million years.

Check out this preview of the new special:


OK, I do have a few thoughts.

With Cosby seated in the middle of the stage, this looks more like sit-down comedy than stand-up. It's understandable since Cosby is 76 years old, but he still seems to have the same energy and timing that made him a legend. Besides, I would watch a special where Cosby lies down behind a curtain if it meant I got to hear him do new bits.

Does anybody do faces better than Cosby? Just look at the expressions he throws out in that video. I don't know if anyone is better at making you laugh without saying a single word. I lost it at the 1:34 mark of the video. That may be the funniest face in comedy history.

He does bring up a really interesting challenge in this bit. In today's world, where a lot of comedy is based on shock value and who can be the most vulgar, is there still an audience for Cosby's family-friendly clean comedy? I think so, since obviously I will be watching, but I think people who are just being introduced to Cosby will not appreciate this special as much as die-hard fans. People who got into comedy through guys like Louis CK may see Cosby as too safe or boring. They're wrong, but I think some people will have that reaction to the special.

Regardless, I will be watching this special with my best Cosby sweater on and a pudding in my hand. "Far From Finished" airs at 7 pm Central time on Saturday, Nov. 23.

Acme Comedy Company open mic night

Acme Comedy Company's open mic night is one of the most popular comedy events in Minneapolis. Here's a short audio story about the event with input from an audience member and an amateur comedian. Photo courtesy of Tiger Girl, retrieved from Flickr.

Marc Maron's "Thinky Pain" is a different kind of special

Have you ever watched someone spill their most personal secrets on stage? That should be awkward, shouldn't it? How, then, did Marc Maron make it so unbelievably funny?

"Thinky Pain," Marc Maron's newest comedy special, plays out like a meeting between Maron and his therapist, but it never makes you feel uncomfortable.

In this 90 minute performance, Maron eschews many of the things we have come to expect from comedy specials. Rather than a large theater, the setting is a small, plain basement of a club in New York. The focus is entirely on Maron. There are no insert shots of audience reactions. This adds to the intimacy of the event.

That intimacy is the greatest strength of "Thinky Pain." Maron is one of a select few comics who make you feel like you are just having a conversation with them. He is a less-rehearsed Louis CK (which is not an insult- I actually think Maron pulls off the unrehearsed style better than CK). Maron talks and looks like your creepy uncle (complete with uncomfortable porn references), only he is much funnier.

He adds to this intimacy by being painfully honest. It never feels uncomfortable though, because Maron is so likable and easy to listen to. There is a reason Maron's podcast is so popular. He knows how to talk.

Those who listen to Maron's podcast, "WTF," will find this special oddly familiar. Partly because he uses some of the material from his podcast, and partly because Maron has such a distinctive voice and personality. It will not feel stale though. If anything, podcast listeners will probably enjoy this special more than the average person because it gives you a better picture of Maron as a comedian.

The special has some flaws. Though it has many laugh out loud moments, there are stretches where Maron can get lost in his own storytelling and forget to be funny. Also, the last bit seems out of place when compared to the rest of the special. It is much more rehearsed. It's like Maron decided he would do whatever he wanted for 80 minutes, but he needed to end on this bit. It is a funny bit, but it does not match the tone of the rest of the special.

Maron's special is completely atypical of most comedy specials. Everything about it, from Maron's performance to the direction and camerawork, creates an intimate and personal atmosphere not found in other specials. Though you may not be laughing the entire time, "Thinky Pain" will make you look at comedy in a new, exciting way.

Here's a clip from the special: