Describing sex in ways only Jenna Jameson should be aware of, comedian Jim Norton's newest stand-up special, "Monster Rain," lived up to its title. Airing on HBO this past Saturday, October 13, Norton's show is full of the "cringe humor" style on which he has built his career.
The term "Monster Rain" refers to Norton's own little game that he played with his childhood friends.
"It's something that I know is completely unique to me, and it's completely my experience. I mean, other people have had sexual encounters with their friends when they were kids, but I'm telling a true story," Norton said.
Norton does describe the game in greater detail, proving yet again that he has the power to say things that many people just are afraid to.
HBO's willingness to air this kind of dirty humor is precisely why the comedian loves to work with the channel. "Monster Rain" marks his third time working with the station. Previously, the comedian performed on an episode of HBO's "One Night Stand" and even co-starred in the show "Lucky Louie," starring fellow comedian Louis C.K.
"HBO has allowed you as a performer to do what you do - that's why I love working with them. It's totally uncensored, and as a performer you can't ask for anything more," Norton said.
"It's amazing how with comedy and humor people feel so free and comfortable putting their opinions and morality in, but if you tried to censor political speech, somebody would hang you for it," Norton continued.
Doing a special for HBO is important to Norton, as well as most other comedians, because it signifies something of a breakout in the stand-up comedy scene.
"The greatest performing moment was probably the hour for HBO," Norton said. "The fact that I've done my own hour there is kind of like a validating thing for a comic."
"Monster Rain" is faithful to the great stand-ups HBO has put together over the years, and it is an hour full of laughs. It's not quite on the level with the famous Broadway specials done by Robin Williams or Lewis Black, but Norton brings his own flavor to the stage.
The jokes in "Monster Rain" attack everything from the firing of Don Imus to Norton's addiction to sex. And yet, despite the politically incorrect rants and polarized opinions, Norton's nice-guy attitude is undeniably evident to all those around him.
"I'm pretty mellow and it's funny because people meet me and they're always surprised - oh you're such a nice dude," Norton said. "It's just my sense of humor, like that's where I get it out, on stage, but in real life I'm basically a sweetie. People just tell me I'm so much fun."
Norton may not be as popular as comedians such as Dane Cook, but his material has a fresher vibe. Whatever enthusiasm Cook brings to his specials pale in comparison to Norton's fearlessness.
Norton himself is surprised at how many people know who he is.
"I'm a star-struck asshole...I'm normally the fan, like I still relate myself as the fan," Norton said. "I'm still the mopey, low self-esteem idiot walking up to Robert De Niro, and tapped him and went 'Bob?' And I asked for a picture and he turned me down."
Norton is a collector of autographs and celebrity photographs, sporting quite an extensive collection. Of all the famous people pictures the comedian remembers, he feels that his worst experience was with Yankees shortstop, Derek Jeter.
"Jeter was the worst, and I hate saying that because I'm a Yankee fan, but he was the biggest creep," Norton said. "I don't know if any celebrities really got annoyed at me because there's something really creepy about my approach. I blink rapidly and I think they're just happy that I'm not biting their face, like they're just happy that I'm not stalking them or pulling a gun. They're like, 'alright we'll just take the picture and you can get away from us.'"
Norton described his material as pretty new, noting his attempts not to use the same jokes more than a few times, aware of how, after awhile, people get tired of the same old jokes.
Norton recalls his early days as an opener for comedian Andrew Dice Clay and how it was an inviting experience to not have the pressure of being alone.
"As the opener, people didn't know me, so the advantage was that I know I'm going to be funny and they're going to be surprised and really like me," Norton said. "The disadvantage is that they don't know who you are and they're like, 'well who the f*ck is this idiot and why are we paying to see him, we don't want to see him,' so there is no pressure on you but if you start to suck immediately, they are going to start to boo."
Norton certainly doesn't have to worry about being the opener any longer, with "Monster Rain" proving his talent as a great stand-up comic.
Audiences will be laughing hysterically while he explains his educational threesome with porn-star Ron Jeremy and his disturbing vivid sexual exploits with his girlfriend.
While the younger crowds should steer clear because of the vulgarity, everyone else should be able to find something to like in Norton's act. Despite the shortness of the special, it still brings the heat - or rather, rain.
"Monster Rain" premiered on Saturday but the special will be aired again many times over the next month on all of HBO's channels. A DVD will also be available for purchase on Tuesday, Oct. 16.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
