Latest news with #DropDeadYears
Express Tribune
23-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Oh mortality, have mercy!
As unfair as it may seem to write about Bill Burr and not include any f-bombs, we can't. But let's push through, shall we? Burr released his latest standup comedy special Drop Dead Years on Hulu recently. In his signature hour-long rant, Burr meditates (possibly the loudest, public mediation loaded with expletives) on his mortality, mental health, marriage and politics. Watching Drop Dead Years, you realise that Burr has changed. He has used his craft to deal with generational trauma and the subsequent anger and has now relatively calmed down a bit. And as he admits early into the show, he has realised that he's been suffering from depression. Drop Dead Years is the 56-year-old comedian's exploration of his own depression in his, well, drop dead years. Old and still grumpy A less angry Burr is still extremely entertaining to watch. He is still grumpy about the world and his rants still hit the mark. In the first few minutes of the performance, he's already poked the audience by bringing up Gaza. Although you can tell he is holding back in his criticism of Israel's genocide of Palestinians, he still sneaks in a comparison that probably flew over people's heads. Burr says he can't call out a "fat f***" fat for stealing his last slice of pizza, even when he's denying it with pepperoni on his breath, and that someone would go, "Alright, well, he took your pizza but that's no reason to body shame". He adds, "I know what you did, own up to it." A smooth segue into Israel shooting missiles at children shows how informed Burr is, despite him claiming otherwise. The placement and transition is deliberate to draw comparisons. Essentially, Burr means: "Israel is the fat man denying stealing Palestinian pizza and pretending to be the victim." "How is war still legal in 2024?" Burr sums it up. But his realisation of his own depression has slightly changed the pace of his routine. He pauses and reflects more on his words as he goes. And overall, he feels more vulnerable as if his angry mask is slowly coming off. It's fascinating to see Burr's evolution not just as an artist but as a man coming to terms with his life and the world and his own messed up self as he grows old. The F is for Family creator addresses the title of the special too. He's aware of the fact that he's in his 'drop dead years' – years in which men suddenly drop dead. And he insists that "dropping dead is a uniquely male experience". It's different from dying of natural causes. He points at men not being able to cry as the main reason for dropping dead, be it while putting on pants one morning or in a golf cart. Men aren't allowed to be sad. We are allowed to be mad or fine," he says. But that we do feel other emotions and bag them inside for years leads us to dropping dead like flies. Broken man, broken world Burr also continues his tradition of picking on the right and the left, pointing out their hypocrisies, especially the idiocy of political correctness. His criticism of focusing more on the language rather than the attitudes and beliefs are always spot on. In Drop Dead Years, he uses the KKK, slurs, influencers, cancel culture, and gun laws to call out everyone. He maintains that the KKK would not exist if they attacked white people. It'd be over in five weeks. Burr's appeal is also in his self-awareness and how he boils down broad ideas and history into little zingers. Summing up the history of the United States, he says, "We came here, there were other people here, and then there weren't. And then there was work to be done. We didn't want to do it. We brought other people in and s*** happened." Basically, Burr is that kid in a classroom who slingshots chewed gums or stink-bombs at everyone, without any discrimination. He hates everyone equally and we love him for it. If you've ever seen Burr, you'd know that he mixes in all these ideas into a rage-filled routine where you witness a man breaking down in a stream of consciousness mode and in essence, talking to himself. That's the genius of Burr. He can structure his performance like it's an internal monologue – the kind we have during showers or while driving as we cuss out the slow drivers in the fast lane and ponder over the broken state of the city roads. Burr also transforms into the characters – from an annoying Karen, a mindless influencer (although he uses another word for them), a pseudo-spiritual yogi teaching her friends to go on a "journey" to a short, rich man wearing a big gold watch and riding a jeep, or that cool unmarried uncle who's actually depressed and cries on his motorcycle, or even Burr's own son. As political as Burr might be, he also gets personal in his struggles including his relationship with his father as well as alcohol addiction. He gets the audience roaring when he recalls how back in the day, the only thing that was talked about as being on the spectrum was autism. Now it's everything, including addiction. He ends the special with a bit about his son. And you're left not with a giggling fit that Burr usually leaves you with, but a smile. Drop Dead Years is Burr balancing his outrageous explosions on the ridiculousness of the world with his personal journey. Great art almost always makes you feel like you know the artist personally, as if he's speaking directly to you. And Burr accomplishes that easily with every line he says, every gesture he makes, every character he turns into on stage. Drop Dead Years opens with Burr saying he thought he did standup because he liked comedy. But it was because it was the easiest way to walk into a room full of strangers and "make everybody like me". And while Burr's way of making people like him is by antagonising and telling everyone the truth, his style and honesty has surely helped him find that universal sense of belonging (that we all seek) way before he reached his drop-dead years.
Boston Globe
21-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Bill Burr on his problem with billionaires like Elon Musk, his Broadway debut, and overcoming anger
The Broadway debut is a big moment in Burr's career, but one years in the making for the longtime actor and comedian, with Odenkirk praising his co-star for rising to the occasion. Bill Burr during rehearsals for "Glengarry Glen Ross." Michaelah Reynolds 'Even I had no idea how perfect Bill would be,' the 'Better Call Saul' star told the Globe in an email. 'The expletives and vituperative rambles flow from his mouth like a mountain stream, sparkling and forceful and, dare I say it, joyous.' 'He is acting his pants off, inhabiting this guy physically as he paces around the room, spoiling for a fight,' he added. 'I never imagined how powerful he'd be in this role.' Professionally, Burr is riding high after making the jump to Broadway and dropping his latest special, which quickly rose through the ranks of Hulu's top 10 chart since debuting last week. Personally, it sounds like Burr is living his best life too, particularly when it comes to his relationship with his special, he's trying to be 'more agreeable' now that he's 'too young to die of natural causes, but it's not too young to drop dead,' revealing that he gained perspective on his nearly two-decade long relationship with his wife following a funeral for a friend. Advertisement 'She agreed to spend her life with me, and I'm being this curmudgeonly [expletive] and I'm kind of ruining, a little bit, the one life she has,' Burr says in the special, noting that he's now getting along with his wife better than ever since choosing to curb his anger. 'Before I had kids, obviously I met my wife, and she was able to explain to me how my anger affected her mood. Even when I was in a good mood, there would be a level of tension,' Burr told the Globe by phone from New York City on St. Patrick's Day. 'It's not like I was coming at her, I would just lose my mind over the littlest, stupidest things, and I learned that I wasn't really mad at the stupid little thing, it was all this other unresolved stuff.' 'If you really love the person that you marry, [if] you're any sort of human being, you don't want to be hurting others with your behavior,' he added. 'It's a big responsibility. You don't just marry somebody, and [go], 'This is who I am, deal with it as it is.'' In several recent interviews, Burr has also been open about taking mushrooms and the positive effects the trips had on his mental health, telling Advertisement Bill Burr in his new Hulu special "Drop Dead Years." Koury Angelo/Disney It was this realization, along with his experience 'being around angry adults' as a kid, that inspired Burr to work on his deep-rooted anger issues. As the father to an 8-year-old daughter and a 4-year-old son, Burr never wants his or any children to feel the way he did when he was young, 'because then they learn that there's no point in speaking up because nobody listens to you, and you're leading them down a really bad road,' he explains. Overall, Burr is the type of dad who emphasizes 'chilling out' and not pressuring kids to take on a 'kill or be killed' mentality with overly structured activities around things like school and sports. 'Don't throw them into the rat race before they're even in it,' Burr said. 'Let them be kids, let them sleep, let them watch cartoons, let them have a good time. Teach them lessons along the way, but you just have to know how to chill out sometimes.' However, he jokes that, with all of his efforts to overcome his anger, he 'might have over-corrected as a parent,' as his kids now see him as something of a softie. 'Having kids is like this great comedy show,' said Burr, whose experiences as a father influenced his directorial debut, the In 'Glengarry Glen Ross,' Burr will appear as foul-mouthed salesman Dave Moss (played in the 1992 film by Ed Harris), while Odenkirk plays his over-the-hill co-worker Shelley Levene (played in the film by Jack Lemmon), and Culkin takes on the role of star salesman Richard Roma (played in the film by Al Pacino). Burr has Nathan Lane to thank for the gig, as the Tony- and Emmy-winning actor recommended him for the role (Lane was initially set to play Shelley in the production, but had to drop out for a TV project). Odenkirk had even wanted Burr for the same role in a different production of the play he tried to get started out in Los Angeles before joining the Broadway revival. Advertisement From left: Donald Webber Jr. and Bob Odenkirk during rehearsals for "Glengarry Glen Ross." Michaelah Reynolds 'I don't know what that says about me, but most people thought, 'Hey, that angry lunatic, you know who could do that?'' Burr joked, calling it 'beyond flattering' for Lane to recommend him, especially since they had never met before. 'To be looking out for someone like that, I think that says a lot about who he is.' Despite this being his first foray into theater, Burr feels comfortable onstage because of his experiences years ago taking acting classes, as well as the decades of stand-up shows he has under his belt. However, he likely would've approached the role differently if he were his younger, angrier self. 'If I had a chance to play him earlier in my life, I probably would have just related to him as an angry guy,' Burr said. 'I would have had a certain sort of take on him. But, you know, as you get older, you keep making the same mistakes. You do a little more self-examination, so I was able to come up with some reasons why that overlapped in my life, why he was upset.' Advertisement Between the big Broadway gig and letting his anger go, Burr sounds like a new man. But that rage will still occasionally bubble up from under the surface, like when he talks about President Trump and Elon Musk. Burr has not been shy with his criticism in recent public statements, telling everyone from 'They're so upset with this country and the way it's working, it's like, you guys are multi-billionaires, what is the problem? I feel like it's working for you,' Burr said. 'You know what's not working for you? All of these tech nerd billionaires who don't want to pay anybody.' When asked why he's been so vocal against Musk and Trump, Burr is quick to reply, 'Why isn't everybody?' Bill Burr's new special is now streaming on Hulu. Koury Angelo/Disney Burr just wishes there was someone who could help turn down the temperature politically, but is perplexed by seeing 'these super rich people want to keep the water boiling, which I don't think is what we need right now.' 'We need somebody with a red tie or a blue tie to calm everybody the [expletive] down,' said Burr. 'This is such a great country. Are we really going to ruin it because five guys are competing to be the first trillionaire?' For Burr, who admits that he used to live and die by how his comedy sets went and how they made him feel, he's no longer doing stand-up for personal reasons or motivations. At this stage of his career, Burr is just focused on bringing a little light and levity to audiences, especially during such tumultuous times. 'I'm always trying to improve on what it is that I'm doing up there,' Burr said. 'I'm doing it for them now.' 'Bill Burr: Drop Dead Years' is now streaming on Hulu. Matt Juul can be reached at
Express Tribune
21-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Bill Burr criticizes Elon Musk over controversial salute and questions lack of public backlash
Comedian Bill Burr has questioned Elon Musk's continued public influence following a controversial gesture during President Trump's inauguration. The moment, which some interpreted as a Nazi salute, drew backlash — but not nearly enough, according to Burr. In an interview on The Breakfast Club (via The Daily Beast), Burr expressed disbelief that Musk 'still has a job' after the gesture. 'What I don't get is the amount of veterans, people in the armed services, that died to stop Hitler,' he said. 'Then this guy comes in and does that [salute]... none of it tracks.' Burr pointed out the contradiction of Musk's status as an immigrant with the nationalist tone of his supporters. 'How you can be like, 'Support the troops, America love it or leave it,' and then this guy gives a shoutout to Hitler?' Burr clarified that his criticism wasn't aimed at any political party, but he found liberals' response particularly toothless. 'I'm not trashing Republicans. All Republicans did not Sieg Heil,' he said. 'That guy did, and I was just amazed that all liberals had was one day of outrage. Then they're like, 'Oh, I guess that didn't work.' And we kind of just move on.' Speaking on NPR's Fresh Air, Burr also criticized Musk's growing influence, calling him an 'idiot' with 'dyed hair plugs and a laminated face.' He mocked liberals again, saying, 'They have no teeth whatsoever,' and ridiculed those who threatened to leave the country over Musk's behavior. 'Why are we so afraid of this guy who can't fight his way out of a wet paper bag?' As Burr continues promoting his new Hulu comedy special Drop Dead Years, his remarks have reignited discussions about celebrity accountability, political outrage fatigue, and the evolving role of public figures in shaping discourse.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Comedian Bill Burr bashes 'nerd' Elon Musk amid anti-DOGE backlash
Comedian Bill Burr sharply mocked billionaire Elon Musk in an interview with Jimmy Fallon on Tuesday night amid a backlash against Musk's efforts to cut government spending and waste. "Billionaires are not happy having a billion dollars," Burr told Fallon. "Why does Elon Musk dress like he just got out of a Hot Topic? I am so sick of that guy trying to rewrite his origin story like he was Matthew McConaughey pulling into the high school." Musk told Trump that he was surprised by the increasing severity of protests against his company Tesla, which have included multiple vehicles at a Tesla service center in Las Vegas being set ablaze on Tuesday morning. Elon Musk Congratulates Spacex, Nasa For 'Excellent Work' Rescuing Stranded Astronauts The FBI is not ruling out terrorism as a possibility after multiple vehicles at a Tesla service center were set ablaze in Las Vegas. Officials say five vehicles were damaged in the incident, including the two that were set on fire. FBI Las Vegas Special Agent in Charge Spencer Evans told reporters on Tuesday that the incident "certainly has some of the hallmarks" of a terrorist attack, but that it was still too early to say for sure. The FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force is currently investigating the incident. Read On The Fox News App The billionaire's close involvement with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has made him a target of liberal commentators and politicians who argue that he should not exercise serious influence over public affairs. Burr criticized Musk's appearance and said that he was not paying his workers in the remainder of the interview with Fallon. "It's like, 'You were a f------ nerd, nobody banged you, and now you have hair plugs, and your laminated face,'" Burr added. "And everybody is afraid of these nerds. I don't get it. My whole life, feminists were focusing on frat boys and guys with their hats on backwards, and they left the nerds alone. And now look at them." "They're horrible, heartless people," he continued. "And for some reason, if you say that then you're a communist, and we're in bed with the Russians." Comedian Bill Burr Demands Billionaires Be 'Put Down' Like 'F---ing Rabid Dogs' "And then they try to politicize everything that you're saying," Burr said. "And it's just like, 'I don't know, shouldn't you pay your workers?' Don't you remember that when we were growing up, one week's pay paid your rent? You had a little cottage, a little boat, you know? Maybe a second family down the road. That's what you did. You had the money." Musk responded to a clip of Burr's comments on X by tagging the account "IfindRetards." Burr has made comments about both sides of the political aisle. Last Monday, the comic previewed his upcoming Hulu comedy special "Drop Dead Years" for NPR's "Fresh Air" podcast, describing it as a way "to get regular people to stop yelling at each other," pushing back on the "select few group of nerds" keeping ordinary people down. He attacked liberals for having "no teeth whatsoever" to fight back against billionaires like Elon Musk. During his podcast, Burr also attacked the Trump administration for renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America. Fox News Digital reached out to a representative of Elon Musk's for article source: Comedian Bill Burr bashes 'nerd' Elon Musk amid anti-DOGE backlash
Fox News
20-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Comedian Bill Burr bashes 'nerd' Elon Musk amid anti-DOGE backlash
Comedian Bill Burr sharply mocked billionaire Elon Musk in an interview with Jimmy Fallon on Tuesday night amid a backlash against Musk's efforts to cut government spending and waste. "Billionaires are not happy having a billion dollars," Burr told Fallon. "Why does Elon Musk dress like he just got out of a Hot Topic? I am so sick of that guy trying to rewrite his origin story like he was Matthew McConaughey pulling into the high school." Musk told Trump that he was surprised by the increasing severity of protests against his company Tesla, which have included multiple vehicles at a Tesla service center in Las Vegas being set ablaze on Tuesday morning. The FBI is not ruling out terrorism as a possibility after multiple vehicles at a Tesla service center were set ablaze in Las Vegas. Officials say five vehicles were damaged in the incident, including the two that were set on fire. FBI Las Vegas Special Agent in Charge Spencer Evans told reporters on Tuesday that the incident "certainly has some of the hallmarks" of a terrorist attack, but that it was still too early to say for sure. The FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force is currently investigating the incident. The billionaire's close involvement with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has made him a target of liberal commentators and politicians who argue that he should not exercise serious influence over public affairs. Burr criticized Musk's appearance and said that he was not paying his workers in the remainder of the interview with Fallon. "It's like, 'You were a f------ nerd, nobody banged you, and now you have hair plugs, and your laminated face,'" Burr added. "And everybody is afraid of these nerds. I don't get it. My whole life, feminists were focusing on frat boys and guys with their hats on backwards, and they left the nerds alone. And now look at them." "They're horrible, heartless people," he continued. "And for some reason, if you say that then you're a communist, and we're in bed with the Russians." "And then they try to politicize everything that you're saying," Burr said. "And it's just like, 'I don't know, shouldn't you pay your workers?' Don't you remember that when we were growing up, one week's pay paid your rent? You had a little cottage, a little boat, you know? Maybe a second family down the road. That's what you did. You had the money." Musk responded to a clip of Burr's comments on X by tagging the account "IfindRetards." Burr has made comments about both sides of the political aisle. Last Monday, the comic previewed his upcoming Hulu comedy special "Drop Dead Years" for NPR's "Fresh Air" podcast, describing it as a way "to get regular people to stop yelling at each other," pushing back on the "select few group of nerds" keeping ordinary people down. He attacked liberals for having "no teeth whatsoever" to fight back against billionaires like Elon Musk. During his podcast, Burr also attacked the Trump administration for renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America. Fox News Digital reached out to a representative of Elon Musk's for comment.
