MARTIN LAWRENCE PRESENTS: 1ST AMENDMENT STAND-UP

(not rated)
MOVIE: **1/2 (out of 5)
DVD EXPERIENCE: * (out of 5)

STARRING
Doug Williams as HIMSELF

Directed by: Michael Bohusz

Studio: Anchor Bay Entertainment

BY KEVIN CARR

Let’s get something straight. I’m a big, fat white guy from the Ohio suburbs. So I have no idea what is good and what is not with urban comedy. But Martin Lawrence does, and he gives it out with his Starz show “1st Ammendment Stand-Up.”

Season three of the show is now available on DVD in a two-disc set featuring more than five hours of stand-up comedy. The list of comedians include Don “DC” Curry, Rickey smiley, Rodney Perry, Bruce Bruce, Deon Cole, Joe Torry, Lavell Crawford, Steve Mazan, Kym Whitley, Rudy Rush, Roz, Memphis Red, B Phlat, Teddy Carpenter, Luenell, Rod Man, Will-E Robo, Raymond Grady, Gary owen, Shang, Joey Medina, Redd Grant, Meshelle, Darryl Brunson, Carmen Barton and Berry Boyz.

Martin Lawrence’s “1st Ammendment Stand-Up” should do for urban comedy what Russel Simmon’s “Def Comedy Jam” did a decade or two ago. These comedians are hard-core for the black audience. It’s none of that sanitized mainstream stuff you’ll see in a Chris Rock show. So if you’re into the black urban comedy, you’ll love. If you’re a white dude, like me, you might get a bit uncomfortable with some of the jokes.

Like any comedy DVD set, the laughs come and go with different comedians. Some are better than others, and some branch out of the racial humor more than others as well. I found about half of them really funny while the other half leaned on some comedy crutches and didn’t get too creative with their jokes.

Still, for more than five hours of stand-up comedy, you get wall-to-wall performances. This DVD set is all about your personal tastes and racial experiences. If you want an unfiltered blend, here’s a good deal for you.