[Messiahtosh]

I love comedy. I love a lot of different types of comedy and a variety of performers. It was so strange to me that I had never really indulged in Bill Hicks' comedy until just recently. I couldn't figure out how I had missed it; but then I realized that I hadn't. I'd heard his bit about Rush Limbaugh a long, long time ago but just didn't know who the comedian was. Also, if anyone knows the details about the Bill Hicks and Dennis Leary controversy, then you know that the accusation is that Leary stole Hick's "routine and persona."

I don't buy into that, totally, but their approach is somewhat similar. However, Hicks is better.

Anyway, if you haven't heard Bill Hicks do standup before, check him out on YouTube or something. A good way to introduce yourself to his stuff would be to look up "It's Just a Ride" on YouTube; it's sort of a "Behind the Music" formatted biography.

BTW, I don't agree with a lot of Hicks' perspectives on things, especially the way he lays into the government and military. Sometimes I think people are too kind hearted for their own good. I think Bill was one of those kind souls.

[Stone Of Love]

I never found Dennis to be Politically oriented. Bill WAS.

So I wouldn't consider them similar at all.

Love them both tho....

[naren]

I love his bit where he describes his idea of an "alternate" family vacation.

[Moogs]

Bill Hicks was one hilarious, twisted SOB. I could relate to a lot of his anger/sarcasm on certain levels.

[Mac+]

Yeah, I only got into Bill Hicks last year - links from this thread - but he was fearless and he said things that I wouldn't dare verbalise, which I sort of admire. There are some good links in that thread M'tosh if you care to check them out.

[Messiahtosh]

Originally Posted by Stone Of Love I never found Dennis to be Politically oriented. Bill WAS. So I wouldn't consider them similar at all. Love them both tho....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gE4sK_yYtGQ

[Stone Of Love]

While its pretty safe to say that these are the same jokes, for me, the "how they are told, and the motivation for telling them" are completely different.

I feel that Dennis has put enough of a twist on "Bills" jokes to make them his own.

Do you think that Jimmy Page is a wanna be because he tried to pass off songs on the first Zep album as his own that we all know weren't?

Point is, this type of thing happens all the time. And if all Dennis had going for him was telling Bill Hicks jokes to make a living, then this argument would have merit. But the fact is, Dennis has done enough on his own to allow for the "re-working" of a couple of jokes. You have to admit, all of the video in that link is funny as hell!

And, even if Dennis is a shallow scumbag joke stealing prick. It wont change the fact that Rescue Me is the Best show on TV. Period.

My take anyway.....