Denis Leary: No Cure for Cancer (1993)

Denis Leary, the greatest stand-up comedian in the history of stand-up comedy (of course, in the humble opinion of yours truly) delivers his best work with this No Cure For Cancer show. This is an unscrupulous spitfire of criticism on topics that no other normal person dares to process. The opening announcement summarizes the wholesome quite well actually: "Ladies and gentleman, due to illness, the part of Denis Leary will be played by…Denis Leary!". With the biggest disdain in his voice and body language, Leary talks (yells, actually) about out-of-the-question topics such as drug-abuse, rehabilitation programs and even cancer. Short examples include him claiming drug abuse is something you simply have to experience, or that all rock stars belong dead or even that cancer is something you should be proud of! I especially enjoyed his on-going rant on dreadful anti-smoking campaigns! He's standing there, lighting one cigarette after another, and shouting he is never going to quit! Go Denis!! The style of comedy Leary brings isn't exactly the "rollin' over the floor laughing your … off" humor but merely the kind of gags you secretly giggling with, not really knowing whether you're supposed to find it funny or not. He also goes over the top quite a few times, but you forgive him simply because he's so fanatic in what he does. For example: he nearly goes berserk when venting his spleen on the French people and, even though his lines aren't very admirable, it's still terrific amusement due to his on-stage behavior. I think every person on this planet would be offended by at least one chapter in this show. So you better leave all your morals and principles at the door before you start watching it. But, if you got any sense of sarcasm in you, this show is a must!

The only thing I have to say about the comparisons between Bill Hicks and Denis Leary is this- Bill made his special, "Dangerous", in the 1980's. Leary's "No Cure For Cancer" came out in the early 1990's. I'm just saying this because I'm tired of the people who praise him saying "If I'd heard hicks first, blah blah blah." Well, there's your proof of Leary's theft.Anyway, I happen to like Leary's style. To be honest, I think the guy's talented as hell. But, because of his unfortunate sellout to animated movies and commercials, I cannot keep myself in any state of respect for him. Not to mention his theft of Hicks' style which put him on the map in the first place. I like Leary, but what he's done is unforgivable as far as I'm concerned.As for this special, it's a decent comedy special with enough political insight for you to get your kicks off on (if you were so intrigued by it). While he manages to get a couple of laughs (Especially with the French material) I myself could not find myself laughing merely because of the fact that was previously stated. Not a bad special, just wish he would have at least admitted to his wrongdoings.

Denis Leary proves his insanity in this show. When he goes ballistic while talking about the French, it's like he needs professional help. He is one of the most talented comedy acts alive (a good heir to the Bill Hicks throne) and he has a way of communicating that is different from any other. When Denis jumps into the story about his brother and the Bow and Arrow set, i almost fell out of my seat, and that stone-cold father of his...unbelievably funny.See this show. It's incredible!

I never knew Denis Leary was a comic until I saw this special (I just thought he was a talented actor). Now I know he is a talented comic/actor. Here, he examines how the country has changed with drugs, rehab, more drugs, smoking, meat and many other things that show he is insane in his comedy. But he is also sincere when he talks about his son and his father (though I never laughed so hard at the thought of wood paneling). Great comedian, great fun, with a very memorable song to sing along with. A+