As a species one thing that evaluates us from the animals is our need to laugh. No matter what culture the people enjoy a good laugh. Most likely back in the days of living in caves one fellow would get up and tell jokes about the latest mastodon hunt. Because of this innate part of human nature there is a special place in our society for the brave person who decides on a career as a stand up comedian. It is by all accounts an arduous calling where the comedian is constantly on the road looking for that big break. In more recent years cable networks like HBO has showcased such performers. It was only natural for the Comedy Central cable network to create a series that would highlight the best of these comedians. This led to the series ‘Comedy Central Presents’ which has been quietly running on the network for about a decade now. Many of the segments come from HBO specials so during prime time or other family TV time slots some language is censored for obvious reasons. Now the second in a series of uncensored DVD is released by parent company Paramount. Some of this you may have already seen in this uncensored format. In some of the larger cities Comedy Central airs ‘unbleeped’ programs late at night; here in New York City the magic time is after 1 a.m. Now, as long as the kids are not around you can enjoy these comedians any time with the DVD.

The format for the show is amazingly simple. There is a stage, a live audience, a microphone and a comedian. The program segments are all filmed on location in comedy clubs through the country. This DVD is TV-MA which means do not let the kids hear the jokes on the disc. Each of the eight performers contained on this collection have their own unique style. The great thing about this way of presenting the series is if you don’t like one performer just move on to the next. You are bound to find more than a few to enjoy. Some of the people here you most likely will recognize; others may be completely new to you. Stand up comedy has become the main gateway for a comedian to move on to their own television series. Jerry Seinfeld, Tim Allen and Bob Newhart all started with stand up acts so you just might get to see the next big TV star on this disc.

Fans of Comedy Central will recognize Attell from his short lived series ‘Insomniac’. As a stand up comedian he tends to get off work at late hours and his series showed the after hours life of whatever city he was in at the time. This new York City born comedian usually starts off slowly building to stranger and more bizarre topics. His main type of humor is the non sequitur. You may not make sense of a lot of his act but you will laugh. Many of his jokes have to do with excessive drink and the odd sex that tends to follow such a night of libation. He talks about all the fun things happening late so you should never leave a group of friends early. His drink is Jack Daniels, and he has gotten into so much trouble on it he feels it should come with bail money. For Attell vices like drinking and smoking are just fodder for his act.

He looks the part of the campus clown; you know the guy in school who is always the center of attention because he is ready with a joke. He starts off highlighting just how awkward he is in many social situations. For example he was moving his bed into a new apartment and a woman opened the door for him. She said she is not worried because a rapist would not have a bed like that. Now he admits that the best thing to say would have been nothing but he tells her ‘you’d be surprised’. He connects to the audience with his self deprecating style. He makes himself the butt of almost every one of his stories.

You most likely have seen Caliendo on MadTV or in various commercials. He is an extremely talented mimic who just nails the people he imitates. His impersonation of President George W. Bush is uncanny; he even has the physical affectations down pat. Here he starts off with replacements words. These are words that stand in for some less polite words and are often used for movies that truly don’t belong on television. An example he gives is a tough guy in a flick saying ‘what the fruit is going on’. He also does a dead on imitation of Adam Sandler that is great to listen to. He also talks about watching football only to see John Madden who gives no new information and only repeats the beginning of a sentence at it’s end. Once again Calenndo captures the voice and movements of the man.

With his straggly beard and wild hair Galigianakis is one odd looking little dude. His act reflects his strange look. At a concert most people holler ‘woo’ he likes to shout ‘your music makes me feel good inside’. It is this off beat world view that fuels his act. He also uses music to convey his humor. He plays the piano making songs out of his jokes. He speaks about a reality show he wants to produce about sexually transmitted disease called ‘God I hope that’s a mole’.

This affable looking young man takes the stage holding his guitar. He also uses music to present his humor but in a most unique fashion. Without so much as an introductory comment he goes right into his first number a little ditty about the younger brother of Jesus, Craig. This song could not be on a family friends disc; it talks about how Craig is a hedonist who craves drugs, sex and alcohol. His clean cut looks just makes the bawdy humor even funnier.

Patton Oswalt

He might just be one of the most recognizable people on the disc. He was a regular on the television sit-com ‘King of Queens’ and has made a nice living as a voice over artist. He looks like the friend we all have; kind of dumpy, short and chubby. Unlike most of his peers he takes the stage in a suit and tie not the typical jeans. Many of his jokes concern his enjoyment of pot and resentment towards the laws concerning the use of the substance.

He is an openly gay comedian who many will know from his regular character on Reno 911 ‘Terry the roller-skating homosexual prostitute’. His jokes are typically not about being gay but rather the normal tribulations of being human. One bit is about the added security in airports and the ever growing list of items you can’t take on board. He muses that one thing on the sign that lists such items is a bomb as if there was ever a time when such a device was permitted.

He makes fun of everything from physical education class in school to how he loves it that in his job people clap for him. He contrast this to what it would be like if every job was like this. His humor is based on odd observations of life. He compares sex to an egg in a very odd little bit that has to be heard to believe. His jokes are on the raunchy side but completely relatable to the audience.

This is the prefect thing for a party with friends. Every body is certain to find a favorite comedian among these eight gifted performers. The DVD is broken up by comedian with chapter stops within each act. The video is full screen while the audio is Dolby Stereo. Both are good but nothing special. This is a comedy disc that will keep you laughing every time you watch it.