Robin Williams – Weapons of Self-Destruction (HBO 2009)

At DAR Constitution Hall, Robin Williams gives his first solo special in seven years. He covers – in the words of the producers – “such topics global warming, sex and politics, the state of health care in the country (suggesting a cash for clunkers program for elderly relatives, among other things), drugs – recreational and otherwise – and more personal topics, including his recent heart surgery” – and that heart surgery thing actually is when, after about one hour, he really wins his audience back, they are rolling on the floor with laughter, waiting for their own coronaries to burst. Who will win the post-surgery battle of Viagra falls: heart or dick?
Williams has good moments such as the LSD visions in a football stadium, and some straightforward equal offender jokes covering fairly all breeds, nationalities, races and origins. There are some moments of brilliance and hilariousness. It is never boring, it is well-timed, apart from the energy that is not the same as twenty years ago he really seems to be on old form. Nice to see the unchallenged champion of stand-up comedy on his home turf, and to see that he can still do it.
And a very nice Walter Cromkite joke hommage at the end – need to remember that for future use…