Bill Burr (with Joe DeRosa) at Carolines

Bill Burr got introduced to the stage last night at Carolines as "one of the top five comics working today," and even though Burr bristled at that notion, he did nothing to dispel it over the course of the next hour. Thirteen months ago, Burr taped his DVD (and Comedy Central special) here in New York City, and since its release earlier this year, he seems to have been rewarded for his efforts with fans willing to welcome him with a standing ovation — and last night's late show included fans who came from as far as Montana and Miami just to see him live.

He told me after the show that while he'd love to follow the late George Carlin's plan of putting a new hour on tape every year or two, he'd rather wait until his current set is ready for recording. If there's a theme to what he's saying these days, it's all about trying to suppress his anger issues and become more sensitive to others feelings. Although plenty still upsets him, including the fact that humans seem to be the only species who help and the weakest, and rewarding people such as The Biggest Loser and drug addicts. Burr also loves a good conspiracy theory, and it fuels his political leanings. He bemoans the lack of customer service in contemporary society. And he has an idea for why old men have a look of horror on their faces.

Burr's radio partner on XM's Uninformed, Joe DeRosa, took the feature spot last night and delivered a new 25 minutes that you wouldn't think would cheer anyone up — Joe talks about how he's drinking more than he ever has, cannot get sex on the road or here in NYC, suffers from depression, is angry about a multitude of things, and wants to tell you about the worst gig he ever took just because he needs the money. Of course, it's all pretty darned funny.

If you're in NYC this weekend, try to catch Burr at Carolines. Otherwise, you may have to wait until 2009.

Sean L. McCarthy

Editor and publisher since 2007, when he was named New York's Funniest Reporter. Former newspaper reporter at the New York Daily News, Boston Herald and smaller dailies and community papers across America. Loves comedy so much he founded this site.

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3 thoughts on “Bill Burr (with Joe DeRosa) at Carolines

  1. My nephew and I sae the show last night…it was beyond hilarious. Burr’s new material (we have the DVD) is excellent and even more edgy. Some of the best bits were about adopting from the pound, getting shanked in Walmart, the Serengeti Highway. His turnaround play with two audience members was wonderful, too (don’t play with this guy!).
    DeRosa’s clown story was memorable and the host was fantastic, too. A four-star night at Caroline’s!

  2. He performs over three hundred shows annually, had two movies released in 2006, and has performed on The Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, and The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien. In early 2004, he appeared in two episodes of Chappelle’s Show, and in September 2005, his HBO One Night Stand special aired. Along with many other projects, Burr has also been a guest comedian on the Bob and Tom Show as well as on the Opie and Anthony Show on XM Satellite Radio, sometimes sitting in when third member Jim Norton is away. He has also performed on the Comedy Central Presents show.

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