Hate has been my best friend since 3rd grade when he made me eat paste. That is until I found Lewis Black. Winner of the 2001 American Comedy Awards, Lewis is as angry and animated as he is poignant and intelligent. With a keen eye for the common sense of issues, Lewis Black is the kind of comedian that makes you say “oh yeah, now that makes sense” as much as “bwahahahahaha!”
But don’t let his frenetic gesticulations fool you. His words are acidic, but he has a heart of gold. This Yale graduate spends as much time pointing out the stupidity of the system as he does volunteering his time to help people less fortunate. Hell’s kitchen is where he spends much of his free time helping children there learn how to act and write their own plays. As well, he has helped many new talents a chance by giving them the spotlight in his theatre in Manhattan.
Black follows in the ornery footsteps of such comics as George Carlin and Bill Hicks, pointing out the stupidity of humanity with the simplest of solutions. In the words of one critic, “his anger level hits about 8 on the television shows he makes appearances on. But it can hit 15 in his live act!” Lewis Black is a truly brilliant comedian who’s raw and witty comments can leave you reeling with the simplicity of the solutions they offer.
I love this dude – he did a starbucks bit on Just for Laughs and I almost pissed myself.
His Back in Black segment on the daily show rules.
I didn’t know he did all the charity work and had his own theatre. His coolness factor has also hit 15 in my book.
This guy is yet one more good reason to live in N.Y.C.
I think there’s a definite need in society for people willing to point out the foibles of those in power, but I have my doubts that very many solutions put forward for complex situations by entertainers are anything more thought out then the ones they lampoon. Al Franken was recently on the Daily Show, and there was a hint that he might run for public office. I’d be willing to bet his simple solutions and uncompromising stance would be ground down under the wheels of reality in record time.