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Brick Wall Comedy

Comedy Central Presents

Alonzo Bodden

Comedy Central · 2005 · 21 min

A half-hour of steady, pragmatic social commentary from a former mechanic.

Watch on Comedy Central(opens in a new tab)

Alonzo Bodden does not need to shout to get a point across. Working with a steady, commanding baritone and an unhurried delivery, he treats the stage like a town hall where he happens to have the floor. His 2005 half-hour Comedy Central Presents special leans heavily into social observation, zeroing in on cultural contradictions with a grounded, practical cynicism.

Filmed on the heels of his season three victory on Last Comic Standing, the set captures Bodden transitioning from his previous career as a jet mechanic for Lockheed Martin into a full-time national headliner. Rather than relying on frantic pacing, he applies an engineer’s practicality to social issues, pitching a theory on the origin of the term “African American,” examining the natural balance of cultural stereotypes, and questioning the logistics of the Iraq War.

The set list

7 bits

  1. Poking fun at his own bald head and his intense love of coffee.

    Self-deprecating personal observations.

  2. Growing up Black in a predominantly white neighborhood.

    Explores the personal challenges and awkwardness of trying to fit in.

  3. The absurdity of long lines at the airport.

    Observational humor exploring everyday travel frustrations.

  4. The joys and reality of being single in your 40s.

    Personal narrative on aging and dating.

  5. The absurdity of the NFL draft.

    Sports commentary and cultural critique.

  6. Failed attempts at cooking and working as a substitute teacher.

    Relatable autobiographical storytelling.

  7. Demonstrating the proper way to use a phone and mimicking how different cultures dance.

    Expressive physical comedy, facial expressions, and body language.

How it plays

Tone
Deadpan, self-deprecating, and observational.
On stage
Sharp wit and deadpan delivery characterized by self-deprecating humor.
Pace
Impeccable timing complemented by expressive body language and physical comedic act-outs.
About
personal appearance, race and growing up in a white neighborhood, relationships and being single in your 40s, parenting, politics, airport travel

What the critics said

Described as a masterclass in stand-up comedy showcasing sharp wit, relatable storytelling, and impeccable timing that kept the audience laughing throughout.

In the room: Engaged and laughing steadily, with Bodden frequently riffing off audience reactions.

Summed up from reviews, articles and listings. Sources: thetvdb.com, tvmaze.com, en.wikipedia.org, yidio.com, comedydynamics.com, nytimes.com, imdb.com.

Details

Released
Runtime
21 min
Where
Comedy Central
Topics
After
Historically Incorrect (2016)

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