AMERICAN:The Bill Hicks Story.

Hello again,
The other day at work,my colleague mentioned a documentary that was due to be aired on TV about Bill Hicks. I knowingly replied,"Oh the guy that did Microsoft?"
Not quite.
I was soon to discover there was a magical man that had somehow managed to completely bypass my entertainment radar.
An exceptional American comedian,satirist,social critic and musician that I'd never even heard of.
A man that unlike many could make me laugh out loud and rejoice in his uncensored and brutally honest take on society.
Despite his untimely death of cancer at 32; Hicks managed to cram a lot into his short life; a unique individual that was clearly born with dem "funny bones"
From his humble beginnings as a wanna be mimic at Sunday school, to performing stand up comedy at the tender age of 16 at the Comedy Workshop in Texas. He continued to develop his craft right across the country.
The documentary contains real life footage of Hicks having full control over his audience.
The choice to intersperse animation and black and white stills was an original and engaging move by directors Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas.
"Americain"illustrates Hicks resolute determination to become a comedian. His drive that eventually lands him on the David Letterman show and to furthur and greater recognition in the United Kingdom.
Hicks has been called the comedians comedian. A man who inhabits what it is to be truly funny.
Whilst studying acting myself,my movement teacher said-when you are going for funny. Go ALL the way. Don't hold back. HICKS, FARLEY,BELUSHI. All now with God,but all went ALL the way.
His tenaciousness also leads him into a dynamic dual with the bottle. Hicks played hard untill he just wasnt funny anymore. After admitting defeat, Hicks joined AA and never looked back (despite a few ongoing educational experiments with magic mushrooms)
On his return, Hicks really started to develop his humour. He was no longer just a dead pan mimic but rather a staunch social commentator with attitude.
He was no longer willing to apologise for speaking his truth. After all he poised, wasn't that your right as an American citizen?
He gave everyone a hard time- marketing/advertising executives, Christians,non-smokers,you name it. But every time,he had a point.
Hicks was no "phony".He detested hypocrisy and was always willing to push the boundaries.
Bill Hicks thank God I found you. Your legend truly lives on.


"Tragedy is when I cut my finger. Comedy is when you fall into an open sewer and die."

Mel Brooks