DVD Review: Louis C.K.'s 'Chewed Up' + March 27th Appearance @ The Wiltern

Artist: Louis C.K.
DVD: "Chewed Up"
Release Date: 12/16/2008

Late last year Louis C.K. released a live performance DVD called "Chewed Up" and it's easily one of the best stand-up performances of the year. The Emmy award-winning C.K. has captured an incredible evening of stand-up on this DVD, in a style that is old school and minimalist. C.K. appears upon an unadorned stage, in a plain black t-shirt. The entire show is just a man and a mic, no quick cuts and edits, and no agitated camerawork.

Even more remarkable is that although one can hear how the audience reacts to his performance, there are no shots of the audience - finally a break from a lot of stand-up videos that show people randomly laughing, sometimes obviously at something other than the joke that was just told.

The DVD also includes a remarkable self-interview by C.K., just him answering a list of questions, but in an open and honest manner that we've never seen before. You might think that you aren't familiar with Louis C.K., but he's been a writer for Letterman, Conan, Chris Rock, his excellent but sadly short-lived HBO series "Lucky Louie", and a host of other TV programs and films.

C.K. is not one to repeat material, so each one of his DVDs is a frozen moment in time, with great anecdotes and stories and surreal ramblings that are not likely to be told again. The laughs are relentless so we can't recommend getting this DVD enough. Los Angeles is also getting a treat, as Louis C.K. will be appearing at The Wiltern on March 27th, his live performances are unique and very popular and it will sell out.