Special Review: Nick Offerman, American Ham

I was planning on being lazy. I was in no way planning to do a full length review of anything this week. Truth be told, I was going to be lazy enough to give you a top ten list. However, that must now wait. While procrastinating, I came across something on Netflix that touched me so deeply that I knew I would have to write something about it. This special made me take a long hard look at my perspective on life, and I honestly think it may have changed me forever. That special is Nick Offerman: American Ham.

I don't mean to overplay it, but it's hard not to considering how much this special affected me. I had been a fan of Nick Offerman's work on Parks and Rec, so when I clicked on his special I expected to laugh and be entertained for an hour. What I did not expect was a barrage of hilarious, often filthy humor combined with an honesty not often seen out of comedians today, as well as life musings and tips that put a different perspective on the human experience.

First things first. Let's talk about the most important part of any comedy show, the comedy. Nick Offerman is absolutely hilarious in this special. Now I understand that comedy is subjective and relates closely to personal experience, so for what that's worth, I found him to be witty, insightful, and his timing is on par with the greats. In his comedy we also get to see something we don't often see out of comedians these days, honesty. At the end of this special I laughed, but I also felt like I knew Nick Offerman a little better. His charisma and charm oozes from the screen during every joke, so even if you don't think he's that funny, I have a feeling you'll still find yourself liking the man telling them.

That is not to say that there aren't a few negatives. Mr. Offerman can get a little dirty even for my tastes, especially when he sings. It is not pointless filth, as it is often funny, but it is definitely not for those who are easily offended. It can go a bit overboard and seem to be dirty for dirty sake, but those moments are very brief in the midst of a wonderful special. There are a number of songs during the special (two of which we don't get to see for legal reasons) and with the exception of the last one, these are not hits for me. They seem to drag a little long, and while they're funny I don't find them funny for long enough to carry the song. Those are really my only complaints though. Otherwise the comedy side of this performance is fantastic.

Humor isn't all Nick Offerman has to give us in this special. It is formatted around ten of Mr. Offerman's tips for a healthy and happy life. I won't spoil them for you here, but in these tips Nick offers us a different take on life, lessons about the value of hard work and hard love, a cautionary warning not to follow the rules too closely, and the all important message that it's okay to make mistakes and do the wrong thing every once in a while. Not all of the concepts he discusses may be revolutionary to you, but the charm and intelligence with which he delivers his message will at the very least have you thinking once the special is done. 

Depending on your tastes it might not be the funniest thing you've ever seen, and it may be a little filthy, but Nick Offerman: American Ham very well may have changed my life. At the very least it made me think about how I am approaching it, and that's more than I ever expected when clicking on a Netflix comedy special. If you have an hour today go watch it. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

-Dale Curtis