urbpan | The Bitter Buddha (Reply)

If you like stand-up comedy you should know who Eddie Pepitone is.
There's a documentary about him called The Bitter Buddha which is currently playing at selected theaters and is also available on Amazon and iTunes for instant download. Eddie's standup is completely original, amazingly dynamic and athletic, and funny as hell. I saw him perform at the ImprovBoston last Monday. Even though I'd heard him on podcasts (he's the standard closer for live WTF shows) and seen his routines on YouTube, I wasn't prepared for how engaging he is as a live performer. He's often described as "a comedian's comedian" and has been on the edge of superstardom for decades. It must be frustrating for him to see other big yelling comics get more famous than him and then flame out. He's very different from people he might be compared to like Sam Kinison or Lewis Black, in that he has a vulnerability and authenticity behind the funny rants; he is insecure and self-searching even as he rails against the corporate machine.

His tweets are excellent. Recent example "Etiquette: When destroying your life and the lives of others ALWAYS tip 20%." He stars in the youtube single panel comic "Puddin.'"

Recently he married a good friend of mine from high school, and it's nice to be acquainted with him.

If you are in New York or Chicago you can see him in the next few days. Schedule here. EDITED to add--apparently he's at SXSW right now. Why not? Everyone else is.