Ron White - You Can't Fix Stupid

Genre comedy Publisher Image Entertainment External Links Official Website Image Entertainment

Having grown up in South Carolina, I would understand the war going on in Ron White's head even if it were not recorded for posterity on this CD (taped live at the Majestic Theater in Dallas, Texas, in case you needed a visual). Already the odd man out in the Blue Collar Comedy troupe due to his lack of a catchphrase, White has a deadpan style that clashes with the ADD gags of his neo-Hee Haw counterparts.

The secret ingredient in White's routine is a weariness that can only come from bearing the burden of intelligence in a region that looks upon book-larnin' as something that must be hidden in order to make your way in the world. This is mostly evident in a set piece centering upon White's honeymoon on the island of Santorini. It's long, involved, and pretty funny, but the audience only erupts into laughter at bookending moments. These involve the missus PMS-ing at an inopportune time and a fellow traveler with a humongous member. This traveler is known as "Squirrel Man," and he is the album's biggest hit.

Which is great for Squirrel Man, but I kinda feel bad for Ron. I mean, bachelorette parties and chocolate-flavored semen are always hilarious, and the one-liner about the petticoat had me laughing like Peter Griffin, but how many times must the public be reminded that sending your kids to visit Michael Jackson is a bad thing?

I do have to give White props for referencing the continuum of gayness on "Cousin Ray," possibly the first recorded instance of a Blue Collar™ comedian admitting to metrosexuality ("I'm not gay...but look at these fucking shoes!"). He's an engaging performer, and the lack of condescension to his audience (Lord knows I wouldn't be able to hold back the snark) is what really saves this album. It's tough not to hold Jeff Foxworthy, Bill Engvall and Larry the Cable Guy against him (seriously, what does "git-r-done" mean? No, wait, don't tell me), but thank God at least one of the Blue Collar guys has a working brain, even if he has to drown it in Scotch to get through the day. God bless Ron White.