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Promotional art for I'm a Grown Little Man
Cover image credit: Promotional image via Prime Video

I'm a Grown Little Man

Kevin Hart

Netflix · 2009 · 73 min

A high-energy hour of unapologetic cowardice and marital defeat.

Kevin Hart found his winning formula by abandoning cool and embracing cowardice. His breakout hour establishes the persona he would ride to stadium-level fame: an aggressively loud guy whose bravado immediately crumbles in the face of physical threats, marital arguments, or his own children. He gets tricked into wearing a tube top to a family reunion. He admits he won’t protect his partner in a fire. He accidentally pelts his toddler in the head with a ball at Chuck E. Cheese. The angle is pure self-deprecation delivered at maximum volume, stripping away any pretense that he is a tough guy.

Filmed in New York City in 2009, the set caught Hart shortly after a string of bit parts in movies like Soul Plane and The 40-Year-Old Virgin. He paces the stage with nervous energy, turning simple premises into chaotic, breathless reenactments. The hour premiered on Comedy Central to massive ratings, turning the Philadelphia native into a mainstream stand-up act.

The set list

5 bits
  1. Hart's young daughter shows extreme attitude and sass when demanding juice.

    Hart acts out her unspoken thoughts as an aggressive, profanity-laced internal monologue directed at him.

  2. Struggles and romantic limitations caused by having short legs and small stature.

    Explores the awkwardness of trying to approach women in public and an inability to physically defend a partner in a fight.

  3. The behavior of a spineless 'yes-man' boyfriend.

    Acts out an animated impression of submissive men catering completely to their partners.

  4. Navigating everyday life as a 5-foot-4 adult man.

    Jokes about height restrictions on roller coasters, sitting on phone books to see, and struggling to reach the steering wheel.

  5. Adventures and mishaps involving his wife, nightclubs, basketball, and whitewater rafting.

    Personal anecdotal storytelling highlighting his domestic life and personal vulnerabilities.

How it plays

Tone
Simple, honest, lively, and self-mocking.
On stage
Fast-talking, animated, and self-deprecating performer who centers humor around his insecurities and physical stature.
Pace
High-energy physical performance characterized by rapid storytelling, building semi-slowly from family setups into lively comedic peaks.
About
Family Relationships, Height and small stature, Insecurity, Dating and relationships

What the critics said

Generally received positive critical praise for its simplicity, consistency, and relentless humor, marking it as one of Hart's standout early works.

In the room: Raucous and howling room response that repeatedly brought the crowd to stitches and caused Hart to break into laughter alongside them.

Summed up from reviews, articles and listings. Sources: en.wikipedia.org, allmovie.com, themoviedb.org, exclaim.ca, lunoo.com, cinafilm.com, gps.swanlibraries.net.

Backstory

Filmed around the time Hart was hosting BET's Comicview: One Mic Stand, before rising to arena-headlining stardom.

Details

Released
Taped
Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, Washington
Runtime
73 min
Where
Netflix
Director
Shannon Hartman
Honors
Ranked #157 of 320 in Television Special by Lunoo (7.25/10 score)
Topics
Before
Comedy Central Presents (2004)
After
Seriously Funny (2010)

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