Katt Williams: Kattpacalypse

Standup comic and actor Katt Williams reportedly retired from the mic in 2009 but returns for this 2011 New Year's Eve set at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles. The transition to 2012—a key year for a few New Age/Mayan prophecy doomsday scenarios—inspires Williams to riff in blurry, profanity-laced fashion on apocalyptic themes. Williams says that the world economic crisis and recession are nothing new; black people have been living this life for generations. Williams also blasts atheism ("Jesus has been kickin' ass for a long time"), evolutionary theory, child-molesting Catholic clergy, critics of Barack Obama, the presidential aspirations of Herman Cain, and Michael Jackson's physician Conrad Murray (offering a hazy conspiracy take on Jackson's death). Williams also mentions his own recent arrests aimed at silencing his outspokenness (for the record, Williams is no Lenny Bruce). During the closing credits, viewers learn that Williams' set was the finale, following five other performers; a longer runtime with more comics—a la The Original Kings of Comedy—would have offered more variety and comic bang for the buck. Extras include a clever animated short set to Williams' rant about Obama's presidency. Both strident and scattershot, this disappointing comedy special is not recommended. Aud: P. (C. Cassady)