THE ACERBIC RABBI STRIKES THE UK
Robin Simmons | Palm Springs area, CA United States | 11/24/2004
(2 out of 5 stars)
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I've been a fan of former Rabbi Jackie Mason since I was a kid. Admittedly, he's not for everyone. His acerbic, irreverent and decidedly politically incorrect humor still provokes in JACKIE MASON: A NIGHT AT THE OPERA (Kulture). His one man show at London's elegant, prestigious Royal Opera House is a perfectly ironic setting for his caustic observations on everything from elderly Jews, George Bush, Tony Blair, the French and much more. Get a front row seat to be offended with the truth. It only hurts if you don't laugh.
Not as funny as some of Mason's other performances (see "The World Accoding To Me"), but he's loose and relaxed and seems to be having a good time with his audience of sometimes bewildered (?) Brits and laughing fellow Jews. (Through no fault of his own, Mason's previously recorded comments about Ararfat seemed oddly out of place when I saw this DVD on the day of Arafat's chaotic funeral.)
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Nex To Last Harrah
Steve Erwin | Los Angeles | 12/26/2004
(3 out of 5 stars)
"If you are a long time fan, as am I, you will enjoy seeing Jackie performing in this historic site. Jackie even leads us on an abbreviated tour of the venue as part of the bonus material. The concert material is new but all the familiar patterns of delivery remain unchanged. "Hey mister! What do you think?...I mean for a man in your condition..." He does miss a beat or two... It is, nevertheless, satisfying to watch a familiar old "friend" who has entertained us for decades basking in the twilight of his career and clearly wowing the audience.....
Addenda: I recently saw Jackie in person in a limited engagement before taking his current act to Broadway.
He does a wonderful riff on free speech and condemns the government's attempt to censor Howard Stern and the other edgy radio personalities.
Finally, if you are from the "gressa" Jackie fans you won't want to miss an opportunity to add this album to your collection"