A Bit More of Albert Brooks

A few weeks ago, I wrote about Albert Brooks’ standup routine, “Rewriting the National Anthem,” which was on his first album, Comedy Minus One.  And this below is the specific "Comedy Minus One" sketch.   I also mentioned at the time the HBO documentary on Brooks, made by his childhood friend Rob Reiner, that was extremely entertaining, for which I had just a few quibbles.  And this is related to one of them. 

In the documentary, they do talk about this album, which Brooks says wasn’t successful because he didn’t promote it.  That’s likely true, but possible to is that the main sketch on the album is so weird it’s probably not to everyone’s taste.  But it is also so brilliantly creative, unique and risky – and it’s a shame that they didn’t explain that in the documentary, since it’s that risk-taking, creativity and uniqueness that explains why all the comedians in the film are saying how influential he was.

The main sketch on the album is itself called “Comedy Minus One.”  And the premise is brilliant and – bizarre.  It’s an 11-minutes comedy routine between Albert Brooks and…you, the listener!  The album included a pull-out sheet with the entire routine written out for you to follow.  There’s Albert Brooks’ dialogue, and then dialogue for…well, “you.”    Using sound effects, it comes across like the two of you are supposedly in a nightclub, and we hear the audience and house band.  And after Brooks delivers his lines, he pauses and waits for you to deliver yours.  (The back of the album was made of a sort of silvery foil, like a mirror, so it reflects back your face).  The routine is definitely not for everyone for its oddity, but it’s nonetheless a funny routine.  And mostly, it’s hard not to admire a comedian going out on a limb like this. 

I'm using this link below, rather than embedding a video of the sketch.  The reason is that this link below includes both the audio sketch and the text so you can participate if you want to listen to the whole thing.

You can get to it here.