Tommy Tiernan – Something Mental (Stand-Up Comedy/DVD-Video + CD)

 

Picture: C+     Sound: B-/B     Extras: C/C-     Concert: B-

 

 

I had never heard of Tommy Tiernan, but like so many comics, you don’t hear any of the names unless you closely follow the field, especially now more than ever with far less outlets for new talent.  Of course, more than ever many of those going up to tell jokes are not that funny and just like the hear themselves, but some like Tiernan are funny, enough in this case that his new stand-up concert Something Mental is being issued by image Entertainment in both DVD and CD versions.

 

Tiernan is Irish and plays that aspect up, but is also very observant in his occurrently politically incorrect ways, though what separates him from other such comics is that he does not think being a one-note non-PC guy is funny in itself and also knows the limited voice the explicitly Irish have in any media.  However, the jokes are not “feel sorry for me” political formula either.  Instead, they are all over the place and when you add his energy, you get a pretty good show.  If you need a good laugh, Tiernan delivers better than most we have seen lately.

 

The anamorphically enhanced 1.78 X 1 image on the DVD is shot on what is likely High Definition video and though it is a good shoot, the tradedown here has detail and Video Black issues.  It is shot nicely otherwise.  The Dolby Digital 5.1 mix is not bad on the DVD and better than the Dolby 2.0 Stereo on the same disc, but I do give an edge in richness and warmth to the CD’s PCM 16/44.1 2.0 Stereo, though the recording is not perfect, having some roughness in parts.  Extras on the CD include one bonus track, while the DVD adds a different outtake, Interview with Tommy (at about a half-hour) and smaller-but-amusing Walk In The Windy City piece.

 

Tiernan could be a big star in the rise, so catch him early and enjoy.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo