The Automatik

From IMDB.com:

Ordinarily when a powerfully talented performer produces a minor, disposable product like this, the advice is, “For die-hard fans only.” In this case, however, die-hard fans are the ones who will least like this documentary, as it is quite insulting to them (Cross fans are depicted as a bunch of crass, idiotic stoners.) As for David, he’s shown in a not very flattering light, dressed up in tacky clothes that are twenty-five years too young for him and indulging in adolescent behavior (setting off illegal fireworks, bragging about vandalizing his old highschool, gossiping about girls he’s slept with.) Put it this way: I would rather watch “Run Ronnie Run” again than sit through this thing a second time. You have been warned.

I’m confused about this review because I don’t understand why the Let America Laugh DVD is referred to as “minor,” “disposable,” or “product.” I would also like to think that die-hard fans of comedian David Cross are not a bunch of crass, idiotic stoners since I am a die-hard fan of his and I am neither idiotic nor a stoner (although you could make an argument for “crass” at times). However, as the DVD unfortunately proves, many of his fans do fit that description. One may argue that the DVD’s editing and presentation as a documentary skews the portrayal of these folks, but I know from personal experience that such embarrassing conduct is the rule, not the exception.

If anyone is shown in an unflattering light it would definitely be the people Cross encounters who seem to think they somehow “know” or “get” Cross because they’ve memorized every Mr. Show sketch and can act them out on command. Worse are the ones who don’t seem to realize that when they are laughing at Cross’s jokes they are really laughing at themselves, because most of his material is aimed at exposing and mocking the exhaustive ignorance of the world. I’ve seen him live twice and both times I was mortified at the drunken heckling that was lobbied towards Cross’s act, as if he was going to think that such misplaced fawning was somehow cool or respectful. I was relieved, yet frightened, when I realized that this was an epidemic and not a few isolated incidents and surprised that none of the morons in my city appeared on the DVD.

As far as Cross’s sartorial sensibilities, he wore indie rock t-shirts and ripped and faded jeans throughout the entirety of Mr. Show‘s run, so I’m not sure why this is now deemed “adolescent.” In addition, if one has ever lived in or visited rural America, then I think that illegal fireworks are less about juvenile rebellion and more about sheer boredom or astonishment that such activities are even considered fun.

Furthermore, I hardly think that a whispered confession about a one night stand, in which Cross didn’t even name names or indicate a city or year, constitutes “gossiping,” especially when Cross seems peeved that his story was even recorded (although if he were truly upset, he could have just not included it in the final cut, so maybe that was a bit harsh on his part.)

For what its worth, David Cross’s sister is the one who bragged about his high school antics, not Cross himself. I’m not sure if her remarks were included to show that she doesn’t get his style of comedy, since goofy acts of vandalism don’t really seem to be his style these days. He does poke fun at her in his routine, but I’m unsure as to whether it’s just good-natured ribbing or something darker. Either way, it didn’t sit well with me and was the only sour note in an otherwise hysterically accurate statement on the pathetic state in which most twenty-somethings wallow these days.

If anyone is offended by the way that David Cross ridicules his fan base, then the real criticism of this DVD should be that he’s biting the hand that feeds him, not that he himself is the fool. However, if anyone should feel foolish it should be those fans who, in the end, have paid to be mocked. In this case you really do get what you pay for.