The comedy world took a severe turn for the mundane one fateful night in 1992, when on the way to a performance, Sam Kinison was in a car crash that ended his life. Kinison's explosive nature and rock n' roll lifestyle had been an explosion of life in the relatively straight-laced comedy scene of the time, and his tragic demise came at a time when he was making real attempts to walk the line and stay on the wagon, resulting in career potential that his friends & contemporaries knew was unlimited.
Amassing a massive collection of comedic performers to tell the story of this man’s rise to fame, without skirting the darker shades of the man's life that peppered his character so thoroughly, Back From Hell: A Tribute to Sam Kinison takes a comprehensive and sentimental look back at a legend most had only begun to know when he passed.
The film, which will be released on DVD Tuesday, November 16 from Comedy Central, features some of the biggest names in comedy as they discuss the life of Kinison and his contribution to the comedy world. Chris Rock, Denis Leary, Norm MacDonald, George Lopez, Lewis Black, Kathy Griffin, Richard Belzer and several others offer their personal insights into Kinison's social and cultural impact on comedy.
Of course, also included are a variety of some of Kinison's greatest stand-up moments, showcasing his bombastic humor and unique wit.
"I miss my dad and I miss Sam Kinison. I really wish I could show him what I've done, because he had so much to do with it," said Chris Rock in a statement.
Bonus features include stories from The Comedy Store in Los Angeles with comedians Pauly Shore, Marc Maron among others; a live "Wild Thing" performance and the original music video of the song, and additional classic Kinison stand-up.
Kinison, long heralded as the aggressive comic's perfect hero, tried his hand as a Pentecostal minister before turning to comedy. This little trivia tidbit comes particularly in handy when witnessing Kinison's sermonizing stand-up, a searingly abrasive delivery style that both shocked, disgusted and smashed funny bones from coast to coast.
Another thing: while the old saying goes that all comedians want to be rock stars and vice versa, Kinison could actually play. The DVD showcases excerpts from his Rock-N-Roll stage show, as well as the “Wild Thing” video he did with Joe Perry, Steven Tyler, Tommy Lee, Jon Bon-Jovi, Billy Idol, Slash and others.
This one's highly recommended, comedy lovers. Pick it up today.
