'Bert Kreischer: Hey Big Boy' Is a Riot

My first encounter with standup comic Bert Kreischer was just last year.  I was browsing through Youtube, watching clips of Brad Williams – another standup comic I only learned of last year – when I stumbled upon a clip where he guested and did a short set on a Comedy Central show (forgot what).  Right off the bat, he made himself a novelty to me by doing his set shirtless – exposing his chunky dad bod, beer belly and all.  Apparently, that’s his shtick.  He’s usually like that in his performances.  It would have been cheap if he wasn’t funny, which he is, as I found at watching that clip.  Afterward, I proceeded to look into more of his work, and I was surprised to learn that the movie National Lampoon’s Van Wilder (really enjoyed that movie, by the way) was inspired by his real-life exploits in college, and the character of Van Wilder (played by Ryan Reynolds) was based on him.  I then checked out his old specials The Machine and Secret Time.

Based on those two specials, I found Bert Kreischer hilarious, but not exactly outstanding.  His material isn’t the intellectual kind, and doesn’t consistently hit a high note.  Still, he’s very entertaining.  He occasionally laughs at his own jokes, and while this habit can prove disadvantageous to other comedians, it works for him as he has an infectious laugh and an evidently genuine spirit for having fun.  He enjoys himself, and thus, his audience enjoys with him.  This aspect really helps him in storytelling, which is definitely his greatest strength as a comedian.  In fact, his anecdote about the time he became friends with the Russian mafia and became known as “The Machine” during a school trip is sublime.  No matter how many times you watch it, it remains funny and entertaining every single time.

However, he has yet to match the high bar that “The Machine” story set.  He hasn’t yet delivered a yarn that’s as side-splitting and compelling as that.  And this remains the case with his 2020 Netflix special, Hey Big Boy.

If I have to be honest, I think his Netflix special prior to it, Secret Time, is better.  Nevertheless, it’s a riot.  He has notable bits about his wife, his daughters, his pets, buying and owning a gun, and his daily interactions with a black Starbucks barista.

There are, however, some parts where you feel like you’re waiting for the punchline to happen, only to discover that it was actually delivered already (this includes the finale).  However, those bits aren’t necessarily duds when, as usual of him, he’s managed to keep every second of his delivery amusing and engaging.

Thus, Hey Big Boy proves to be an overall fun time, especially for those who already dig Bert Kreischer.