BILLY BURR, LIVE AT RED ROCKS

Some behind the scenes tidbits.

Jul 07, 2022

Okay, so after a year of scouting, prepping, shooting, editing the special we produced together and I directed of Bill's amazing performance at Red Rocks in Denver will finally see the light next week on Netlfix. I am so excited for people to see it. There are so many great stand-up comics and stand-up comedy specials these days, but Bill Burr stands out at the head of the pack. I was recently asked in an interview who my Mt. Rushmore of stand-up was. I didn't hesitate. Pryor, Carlin, Joan Rivers, Dave Chapelle, and BIG BAD BILLY BURR!!!!

What makes Bill stand out? I don't know. I really don't. I just know he's worked his ass off for a few decades to get on top, and he's still working diligently as hell. He's a craftsman. A cabinet maker. Not a celebrity. He's so deep into the craft, the work, the minutia of every set he does that, I believe, the audience understands his dedication intrinsically.

I really do think this special is a cut above anything else he's done. We had so much fun making Paper Tiger, but this is another level up.

FILMING AT RED ROCKS

Was not easy. I have to say, it was one of the tougher places I've shot at. Number one, it's government-run. The state (Colorado) or whoever runs it so it's run by a bunch of civil servants who are actually a beat below the Post Office in terms of giving two shits. Not that there weren't some awesome people we worked with there, but lion's share of them, did not seem to have much of a need to see it come off well, so we had to jump through a lot of hurdles. On the other hand, we worked with a very well-known sound and lighting company in Denver that made me long for some civil servants to sit around and complain with. The owner of the company was such a jerk. The fish stunk from the head, and what happened was that my crew and I had to work ten times harder than we would've. The venue though is fantastic. So beautiful, and people in Denver love and appreciate it so much. That pride and excitement alone isgreat to see.

My SON BURT ON CAMERA C

(And I think THC)

Producer Ricky Cruz, flaunts his backside. (Actually setting the lights.)

WE SHOT TWO SHOWS

As we did for Paper Tiger at the Royal Albert Hall in London. In London they were back to back on a Friday and a Saturday night. This time they were several weeks apart due to Bill and Red Rocks scheduling. The second show was early October and it was cold and hell and Bill was freezing with the wind that whips down the hill and slaps the hell out of the performer. He got some laughs with it though, as you'll see. In the end though, we had a great shoot, and Bill was on fire both shows so Bill and I really have nothing to complain about. (Although that's never stopped either of us before.)

After the show, we all hung out onstage, with Club Soda Kenny@clubsodakenny, and my pal Nicholas Mellillo @NICKrAGUA, the owner of the fantastic Foundation Cigar Company who brought Bill a custom box of Stogies.

BTW. More on these stogies and several others to come in a future post. Needless to say, they're amazingly good and we're going to use them to raise a lot of money for the Comedians Fund that The Comedy Store

If you love a good cigar, check out Foundation Cigars.

And no, this isn't an AD.

Nick is the best and his cigars are a close second.

(You may know them from Joe Rogan, smoking them regularly)

PAPER TIGER

P.S., If you haven't seen Paper Tiger, Bill's set from London, also on Netflix, you should watch it now while you wait for the 12th of July for Red Rocks to come out. (Let's be honest, you have nothing better to do, right?)

CLICK THE PHOTO FOR SNIPPET