"RALPHIE MAY: AUSTIN-TATIOUS"
DVD Review
by Kevin Carr
| MOVIE: *** (out of 5 stars)
DVD EXPERIENCE: * (out of 5 stars) STARRING Ralphie May as HIMSELF Not Rated Studio: Image Entertainment Back to DVD Review Home |  |
WHAT IT’S ABOUT
Ralphie May, a runner up in the reality television series “Last Comic Standing,” delivers a hard-hitting stand-up show in Austin, Texas. His observational comedy, politically incorrect humor and easy wit about his own imperfections (including his imposing size) leads his show to be somewhat offensive but often very funny. May was named one of Variety’s 10 Comics to Watch in 2008, and even though it’s 2009, anyone can watch him in this new DVD special.
WHAT I LIKED
As I’ve said many times before with comedians like Ron White, I have a great affinity for political incorrectness. And Ralphie May nails exactly why I like this politically incorrect humor... it’s root is in things that everyone believes and knows is true but is afraid to say.
Ralphie May is a bit of a contradiction in himself. At first, he appears warm and cuddly. Then he appears abrasive and offensive. Eventually, throughout the program, you can warm up to the man. Being a heavy-set person myself (and by hosting a radio show called Fat Guys at the Movies, I have learned to take my size in good humor), I can appreciate May’s self deprecating nature.
While some may dismiss May as a comedian who relies on shock value, he has a finesse that works wonders for his stand-up. Normally, I don’t like hearing less-than-attractive comedians talk about their own sex life. However, May frames his escapades in such a way that they can be funny without having X-rated pictures of him flash through your mind. This is a plus for any comedian, because God knows that no one wants to think of the likes of Gary Shandling and Chris Rock getting it on.
May fires his comedy at the audience with both barrels. He doesn’t care who he offends, and this works for some belly laughs in this show.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
Ralphie May is definitely funny, but he is a bit unrefined – and not unrefined in the way that Larry the Cable Guy is. He’s not seasoned. He needs a few more years on the stage before he really smoothes all the kinks out of his act.
There are times when his stand-up stumbles, where he eases into the delivery of a bit before really delivering the funny moments. It took me about half of this stand-up special to really warm up to him as a comedian. This could have been a result of his material, but more likely it’s because he has yet to develop a consistent burn with his delivery.
DVD FEATURES
Unfortunately, there are no DVD features aside from the stand-up material of the comedy special.
WHO’S GOING TO LIKE THIS MOVIE
Fans of politically incorrect humor.
