I just saw one of the best comedy specials ever made. 2012's Harland Williams: A Force of Nature. It is the first comedy special ever filmed in the middle of nowhere in the desert. No audience at all. Action Bowling? I want in. Crow Hecklers? No match for this Master. Conch Shell? Epic. An ALF made of fudge? Drones? Comparing police sirens with Curly Howard squeals? Brilliant. Limerics about showering with yer lady? Genius. The man is an artist. Is it safe for me to call Harland "The Joe Strummer of Comedy?" He is. Fuckin' Sand Psychic Coyote Cinnamon Desert Medicine Genius.
If you don't know who he is, harken back to his first film appearance, the 90s Aspen road dog comedy classic: Dumb and Dumber. Harland played the motorcycle cop who asked about "Granpa's Cough Medicine." Remember? Whether you do or not, you should check out Harland's website. (LINK) It features some hilarious videos, including his awesome buddy cop web series with David Koechner: Steady and Shakes. Williams also has a great podcast called The Harland Highway. (LINK) He actually takes calls from his listeners, too, so if you want to get in on that action just call 323-739-4330.
There are not many individuals in the world who can be this weird, and still be funny as hell. Harland is the exception, not the rule. 2 other examples of artists who've pulled this off would be Andy Kaufman, and Toby Huss. It is a delicate balance. On one hand, if you're too weird, you run the risk of alienating most of the audience. On the other hand, if you are vanilla as fuck, no one will remember you at all. Always better to err on the side of weirdness. Harland Williams: A Force of Nature is currently streaming on Netflix. If you like laughing your ass off, give it a shot. A shot of cinnamon. CINNAMON!!
-2013 Wielgorecki
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