Bert Kreischer: Hey Big Boy (2020)

Overweight comedian Bert Kreischer laughs at his own jokes about black people in Starbucks, watching porn while in the closet, finding out Hitler was wrong, and more.

Sam’s Review

Jess has abandoned me... so undoubtedly the already sparse amount of reviews will only grow sparser. Also, the quality of the films will definitely lower without her input. I shall battle through for the few loyal fans we have!

Bert Kreischer is a bit of an enigma to me. The clips I've seen of his stand up are crude, at best. However, being a fan of old Tom "Tommy Buns" Segura, a comedian I hold in high regard, had led me to their joint podcast 2 Bears 1 Cave. It's certainly an interesting listen. And it endeared me to Kreischer enough to chance his comedy.

Being that he was the inspiration for Van Wilder, I was expecting some very immature humour. Yet, while his humour swings towards the cruder side, his jokes often involving nudity or sex in some manner, they're not as lowbrow as I was expecting. Oh, some are lowbrow. But not as many as I had thought. 

In typical Bert fashion, he whips his shirt off, proudly letting his belly hang free, within 30 seconds of the special starting. He riffs about banter with a barista, making politically incorrect jokes and nailing them. Though I couldn't help but cringe at a slightly inappropriate impersonation, there's an innocence to his act. He may be ignorant, but he's certainly not malicious. And his quick transitions from one joke to another are perfectly timed. And while his family may not appreciate the amount he shares, it makes for great material.

The editing is annoying. It's weird to notice that during a comedy special, and the fact that I did only underlines how poor it was. Certain cuts are too sharp, stealing the atmosphere. We're being rushed through the punchline of one joke, without getting to linger in the laughter, to be pushed into the next premise.

Where Segura was punished in my score of his stand up because my expectation was so high, Bert has benefited because my expectation was so low. Yet he has a boisterous personality that is equal parts humble and braggadocious, but most importantly charming. He's certainly an acquired taste, as his jokes may lack a depth to them, but he's undeniably funny.

7/10