Patton Oswalt is not as famous as he should be, but he’s getting there. Fans of network sitcoms might recognize him as Spence from “King of Queens” and those with precise hearing might recognize his voice as that of Remy the rat in Pixar’s massive blockbuster hit Ratatouille (which you should probably see, especially if you’re a fan of comedy, food or Peter O’Toole). But where you might not know Oswalt from is his main gig as a stand-up comic. Touching on topics as widespread as his love of food to Alvin and the Chipmunks records to how George W. Bush is leading the country into the Biblical apocalypse, Oswalt always covers his material with a kind of exuberance and irrepressible joy that leaves you feeling happy at the minimum and crying with laughter at the best. Sure it’s all pretty cynical and curmudgeon-y at it’s core, but really it’s in the presentation. And Oswalt paints a pretty picture. A pretty, hilarious picture.
Contributor Matt and I were roommates when Oswalt’s first album Feelin’ Kinda Patton came out and we immediately became obsessed with it. It was the kind of obsession that I’m sure annoyed the hell out of all our friends as we referenced the album in conversation and laughed and laughed as our friends sat there and wondered what was wrong with us. It’s been pretty much the same with Werewolves and Lollipops (the new one) even though Matt and I now live in different states. The CD opens with a brief intro by fellow comedian Blaine Capatch, and with a quick “I’m drunk. Here we go!” Oswalt is off and running.
Take a listen and be sure to buy the albums and DVDs, visit the website and see The Comedians of Comedy (Oswalt and Brian Posehn’s national comedy tour — with plenty of awesome guests) when they come to town.
From Feelin’ Kinda Patton (Buy It):
Patton Oswalt – Steak
Patton Oswalt – The Gay Pride Parade
From Werewolves and Lollipops (Buy It):
Patton Oswalt – Beautiful
Patton Oswalt – You Are Allowed 20 Birthday Parties
Patton Oswalt – Racist Cell Phones
AND! Comedy Central Presents: Patton Oswalt (Audio) (from 1999)
PLUS! Patton Oswalt interviewed on NPR’s “Fresh Air”
posted by Adam
1 response so far ↓
Matt // August 3, 2007 at 5:34 pm |
To anyone who says they greatly dislike Patton, I tell them, “I wish my fingers emitted mace!”