Demetri Martin. Person.
Starring: Demetri Martin, Mackenzie Firgens, Leo AllenDirector: Jay Karas
Studio: Paramount Home Video / Comedy Central
MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, NTSC
Running Time: 42 minutes
DVD Release: September 4th 2007
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DVD Review
Most stand-up comedians stand around and tell jokes. In Demetri Martin's Comedy Central special Person., taped live at Austin's Paramount Theater, the sneaker-sporting performer draws, sings, plays instruments, and, yes, tells jokes. There are even a few animated interludes. So, you get more bang for your buck than just a guy, a stage, and a bevy of zingers. For those unfamiliar with his work, Martin's specialty is observational humor in the vein of Steven Wright, i.e. "How fast does a zebra have to run before it looks grey?" and "I saw a transvestite wearing a shirt that said Guess." Some bits are laugh-out-loud funny, while others are more thought-provoking (aside from stints on The Daily Show and Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Martin is a former law school student). Topics include weird handshakes, heavy doors, and Hummer owners--you know, everyday stuff. The extras are in keeping with his down-to-earth persona. The commentary track includes the comedian, his mother, his grandmother, his sister, and his uncles (three of whom appear in the skit at the end). Suffice to say, his family isn't big on ego-stroking. "Not for me," his grandmother says, dismissing Martin's whimsical animations. The DVD also includes his installment of Comedy Central Presents, deleted scenes, and a glimpse at some early gigs. Throughout, there's a sprinkling of profanity, but Martin generally avoids sexist and/or mean-spirited material. Person. is for comedy fans who prefer indie pop to corporate rock. --Kathleen C. Fennessy
User Reviews
Short, but funny! - Rating: 4/5
We loved this video. The special is very short (all in all, the special features are probably longer, since they include a Comedy Central Presents), and it turns very odd toward the end when the stand-up stops and the weird pageanty-type scenes begin, but overall this was a great purchase. Martin is very, very funny.
Demetri Martin, Chariot of the Gods - Rating: 5/5
As goes within the realm of comedians, it is blatently apparent that Demetri Martin is one of the unknown, and unsung heros of our generation. coming from obscurity, his extremely dry and witty form of humor is acceptable for all ages, whilst retaining a semblance of its adult draw.
Satisfied customer - Rating: 5/5
My son ordered this dvd for his older brother for Xmas and we all watched it together and we all enjoyed the different comedy approach. We had seen him perform on the comedy channel and that inspired my son to order it for his borther
Demetri lately has become creepy - Rating: 1/5
I used to like Demetri's stuff, especially what he did for Late Night With Conan O'Brien and his stand-up of early times.
The problem about him is not that he tries to be edgy like Mitch Hedberg, but being close to 40 now, and acting like a 18 year old emo brat.
That, and the really bad passive-aggressiveness coming from him, some kind of NY hipster smugness that might impress his NY hipster friends, but on stage comes across as just that, smug and feeling all-superior.
Apart from 1-3 good one-liners, his shows aren't funny anymore. Not unfunny in a Dane Cook sense, but unfunny as in "too full of himself to be likeable".
Given the situation now, he is just another one of those eternal hipster brats (approaching 40 mind you), playing some guitar, doing some comedy, writing some stuff, doing some TV, but not doing anything right.
I get the lukewarm idea that he's just trying to get female acquaintances through fame. Being a cutesy boy probably goes a long way helping that. But another Mitch Hedberg he is not.
Hysterical! - Rating: 5/5
Demetri Martin is an extremely funny young comic who doesn't need the rants, raves, and fast-paced nonsense that other comics use in their acts. Demetri creates big laughs from a look or short quip. His comedy enlists the audience member to think, not just react to some wild provocation. He fills the niche of subtle humor not tapped enough in this fast=paced world. He is fantastic.
