Brad Stine was nine years old when he found Christ. While that, in itself is not all that remarkable, what he does for a living is, when you take it into account. Stine is a politically conservative (just a tad to the right of George W. Bush, I'd say...), Evangelical Christian and a stand-up comic. A fairly sucessful one, at that.
Several years ago, when his agent stopped booking him in the traditional comedy rooms, Stine switched gears and started doing shows in front of a more receptive audience. He gave up comedy clubs and started working in Church basements and auditoriums, which turned out to be a more comfortable and receptive outlet for his comedy/ministry. In 2004, he recorded a DVD caled Put A Helmet On! which garnered quite a bit of attention, particularly among the secular press. His second DVD (and accompanying CD), ...Tolerate THIS! was just released.
Calling Stine's work comedy is only mainstreaming what others would call simple "spoken word." At times, he's hilarious and spot-on but most of the time he's just lecturing about truths as he sees them. A famous comic, George Carlin I bellieve, said that comedy is simply exaggeration in front of an audience. Stine fails to exaggerate much but since his audience is so receptive to what he's saying, he doesn't need to. What he calls comedy, most of us would simply call astute observation.
Building his act around various rants against liberals, non-believers, pro-choice people and even Christians who do stupid things, he spends most of his time sermoning up to poignant and directed punchlines. Billed as the "clean" comic, he uses the word "stinkin'" a startling number of times in places a more mainstream comic would use more colorful language.
Despite all of that, he comes across as honest, forthright and pretty damn funny. Particularly if you have a slight lean toward the right, I'd urge you to check out Stine's unique brand of comedy and observation. Although there are no particular "extras" on the DVD as opposed to the CD, it does help to be able to see his wild gesticulating and his looming stage presence.
Rating: 3.5 of 5
Article comments
1 - The Theory
I saw him live three or so years ago. He was really funny... despite his in your face political leaning. Though back then that sort of thing didn't bother me as much as it would now.
I have a copy of Tolerate This sitting in my mailbox at work that my job slipped my way. I suppose I'll try to watch it and see whether the political slat really annoys me or not.
2 - The Theory
well, considering the sudden re-posting of this my previous comment disappeard. So I shall re-try.
I saw Mr Stine live a couple of years ago and he was really quite funny. Even with his political/religious bias I may have to check this out.
Actually, I know I have a copy of this DVD somewhere that I got free. I was a bit timid of it BECAUSE OF his biases... but we'll see.
3 - The Theory
...now you don't see it. now you do?
oh well. double the posting pleasure, i guess.