Search - Demetri Martin :: These Are Jokes (W/Dvd)

'If I ever saw an amputee being hanged, I would just yell ou

wellwellwell | bog | 10/05/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I first heard of Demetri Martin (who now is a correspondent of The Daily Show) when I saw his Comedy Central Presents special, which I'm sure is where a number of people first took note of him. And, I am happy to say, that timeless episode is featured on the DVD here. Demetri is the king of one-liners, such as "'employee of the month' is a good example of how somebody can be both a winner and a loser at the same time" or "bears and worms aren't very similar...until you think of gummi" or "glitter is the herpes of craft supplies." He doesn't do any shouting (e.g. Dane Cook) and doesn't use any unnecessary vulgarities, albeit there's a PA sticker on the cover. And he uses a guitar on some tracks, although he doesn't sing.



Starting with the cd, there are endless laughs that'll keep your LPM very high. "Some Jokes" (7 min), "Other Jokes" (1.5 min), "These Jokes" (6 min) and "Some More Jokes" (3.5 min) are the bits that are just jokes, without guitar. "The Start" (3 min) features a short intro by Demetri's Grandma, as well as some regular jokes. "The Remix" (5.5 min) is regular jokes, with keyboard in the background. "Personal Information Waltz" (7 min) uses that infamous waltz, and is helped by Will Forte (Saturday Night Live), with hilarious results. You have to hear it to believe it. "One Story" (7 min) gives you a day in the life of Demetri, as he plays guitar. And, finally, "The Jokes With Guitar" (13 min) is just that. "Sames And Opposites" (8 min) is really the only song on the cd, although it is great. All these tracks use most of the material from the Comedy Central bit, while the parts about batteries and butter were extended, for the better. There is also material from other performances he did on various late night talk shows, from the Invite Them Up cd, and a lot of new stuff. "The Grapes Song" and "The Wisdom Song" are not joke tracks, but actual songs. They're okay, but not as fun to listen to as the regular jokes. The hidden track is a story told by Demetri's Grandma, as Demetri plays guitar. It is weird, but again, okay.



The DVD features numerous tidbits of stuff. Highlights are the Comedy Central special, a commentary of that feature, a few jokes set to Demetri's animation, and two very early performances. The 'earlier' one is particularly great, making you wish he'd never given up on the material. There are also some songs, short documentaries and other things you can explore on your own.



Overall, this CD/DVD set is well worth any asking price. Demetri can make spot-on, witty observations about everyday things like checkers, swimming, greeting cards, sports bars, even that paper clip that pops in Word Processor, and have your eyes watering behind uncontrollable laughter. I like to think this is different than most of the comedy out there right now. But if you ask me, this is how comedy should be: too funny. Sort of...."

Very funny, very smart, very original, demetri martin is the

J. Paulo | san diego, ca | 10/06/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"don't listen to the previous review saying demetri has gone soft. that guy doesn't know what he is talking about and i also think he is a little bitter that he can't get any girls. the only people i know that complain about someone else catering to the 'ladies' is the guy who can't get any of the aforementioned 'ladies.' demetri martin is a very smart guy and his comedy showcases his intelligence. i just saw him live and his new material is just as funny as this cd. creating a whole new set of jokes is not an easy task, most comics hold on to jokes for a very long time and demetri, new to the public ears, is already on tour with a whole new set of jokes. he can improv, he can draw (pictures) funny material, he can come up with one liners, and best of all, after the punch line is delivered, he can still, sometimes quietly, throw in a line or two that is far funnier than the punchline. only larry david can make me laugh as much as demetri martin. demetri is really in a special class of comics, because he is just naturally funny, he doesn't have to try, he just has a really funny way of looking at things and thinking about things and he is my favorite comic right now. he can make anyone laugh, not just a specific group of people, and that is true talent."

An Amazing Album From An Amazing Show!!!

Brian LaPorte | 10/03/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This was such an amazing show (taped back in Feb '06 in Chicago). I brought my girlfriend with, who actually is on the CD a lot (during the talking bits, she's the loud giggly one who continues to laugh after the joke is over). Anyway, Demetri is an amazing artist, who shows that you don't need to be overly vulgar to be forkin' hysterical!"