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Promotional art for Giggle Fit
Cover image credit: via TMDB

Giggle Fit

Ron Funches

Comedy Central · 2019 · 61 min

A soft-spoken, wrestling-obsessed hour of stand-up about positivity and parenting.

While many stand-up comedians lean on cynicism, anger, or general misery to construct an hour, Ron Funches builds his set on an unabashed love for weed, reality TV, and professional wrestling. The show kicks off with a sketch featuring a cameo from pro wrestler Ric Flair, setting up a theme of self-confidence that carries through the performance. Funches walks out in a velvet robe, literally tearing through a giant photo of his formerly heavier self, a nod to his recent 140-pound weight loss, before settling into his signature, soft-spoken delivery.

Filmed at the Neptune Theatre in Seattle, this 2019 release was Funches’ first full-length, one-hour special, coming thirteen years into his comedy career. At the time, his profile was growing through voice work in films like Trolls and a co-starring role on the sitcom Undateable. Rather than take the typical path to Netflix, he opted for a Comedy Central premiere because the network offered a better payout. The strategy worked out; the show became Comedy Central’s highest-rated special in two years and hit number one on iTunes shortly after.

The set succeeds by keeping things personal and positive. Funches jokes about his preference for women in winter coats, details the surprisingly spiritual vibe of throwing a vision board party, and explains why RuPaul’s Drag Race is essentially a mix of UFC, The Voice, and Say Yes to the Dress. He also spends considerable time talking about raising his autistic teenage son, mining the daily frustrations of parenting for gentle, affectionate stories rather than complaints.

The set list

7 bits

  1. Wrestling entrance with Ric Flair

    Starts the special with a fantasy sketch featuring wrestling icon Ric Flair; Funches walks out wearing a robe and bursts through a photo of his heavier past self before revealing a suit.

  2. Vision board party

    Discusses holding a vision board party with friends to spiritually support each other, culminating in him fulfilling his dream of buying a house for his family.

  3. Stand-up comedy versus real work

    Humorously contrasts working adults with his own profession, remarking on how lucrative it is to just get high and mumble into a microphone.

  4. Losing 140 pounds

    Plays with the stereotype that fat guys are more fun, joking about how unsupportive friends become once you start eating oatmeal and working out.

  5. Parenting his autistic son

    Shares honest, affectionate stories about raising his teenage son with autism, from eating pizza without pants to being told Eat shit, Daddy.

  6. Loving reality television

    Gushes over series like Naked and Afraid, The Great British Baking Show, and RuPaul's Drag Race, which he describes as UFC, The Voice, and Say Yes to the Dress combined.

  7. Dwayne The Rock Johnson

    Jokes about his admiration and burgeoning bromance with Dwayne Johnson.

How it plays

Tone
Warm, optimistic, pleasant, playful, and cheerful.
On stage
Soft, gentle, approachable, and persistently giggly, deliberately rejecting bitterness and complaint-driven comedy to focus entirely on things he loves.
Pace
Deliberate timing and presence; vocal shifts swinging cartoonishly from high-pitched falsetto to a growl, paired with a relaxed, smiling demeanor and animated stage movement.
About
weight loss and fitness, raising an autistic son, professional wrestling, marijuana, reality television, vision board parties

What the critics said

Received positive notice for its rare commitment to unadulterated optimism and gentle warmth, with critics highlighting the personal material about his weight loss and son, even if some reviewers felt its approachable style lacked sharp edges or went on slightly too long.

In the room: Supportive, comfortable, and warm, featuring encouraging call-outs from the audience.

Summed up from reviews, articles and listings. Sources: filmcentrum.nl, thetvdb.com, tv.apple.com, oregonlive.com, thecomicscomic.com, pastemagazine.com, nytimes.com, variety.com, imdb.com, en.wikipedia.org, ronfunches.com.

Backstory

Reflects a major personal transformation, notably Funches losing 140 pounds (down from 360 pounds) and raising his teenage son with autism.

Details

Released
Runtime
61 min
Where
Comedy Central
Director
Bobcat Goldthwait
Topics
Before
The Guest List With Ron Funches - Season 2 (2017)

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