I have been looking forward to Cosby's return to the stage, ever since Comedy Central began advertising the hell out of it weeks in advance. However, upon viewing, I couldn't help but to feel sad for the ol' legend himself. Unfortunately, most of his jokes were either so incoherent that didn't make sense and couldn't land a genuine laugh, or they simply weren't that funny. As a good friend of mine said "he's telling life stories... amusing anecdotes at best". Of course he elicited the occasional laugh or giggle in me, but the atmosphere throughout the entire thing just felt uncomfortable.
In contrast, the audience was often losing it with laughter. It genuinely makes me wonder: Were the laughs cued? Did they simply laugh in respect? Or even pity? I'm really confounded, and unsure of where it went wrong. Bill Cosby is a very funny man, but it seems something was lost in translation. In the end I question comedy central more than anyone, after all, I can't see any other reason to air this with so much publicity other than to exploit him.
On a positive note, it was great to see the man back in the spotlight and on the stage! I really appreciate his performance as well as his willingness to perform, because if it failed in every other area, it at least succeeded in satisfying that thirst fans like myself have for some more Cosby.
2/10
In contrast, the audience was often losing it with laughter. It genuinely makes me wonder: Were the laughs cued? Did they simply laugh in respect? Or even pity? I'm really confounded, and unsure of where it went wrong. Bill Cosby is a very funny man, but it seems something was lost in translation. In the end I question comedy central more than anyone, after all, I can't see any other reason to air this with so much publicity other than to exploit him.
On a positive note, it was great to see the man back in the spotlight and on the stage! I really appreciate his performance as well as his willingness to perform, because if it failed in every other area, it at least succeeded in satisfying that thirst fans like myself have for some more Cosby.
2/10