The Incredible Mr. P

I’m an Opie & Anthony fan. Have been for many, many years. Being a fan of the show has introduced me to a bunch of comics that I love to listen to. Jim Norton, Robert Kelly, Rich Vos, Louis CK, Bill Burr…the list could go on for a while. There was always something special though when the best of them all came on the show. When Patrice O’Neal entered their studio, you knew the show was about to go to a higher level really fast. He was such a huge personality that more often than not, he took over the show, and that was ok. It always meant something good was going to happen that day, and it always did.

On October 26, 2011, the O&A show came forward and explained that Patrice had had a stroke the week before, and that no one really knew what his condition was. They said that to help protect Patrice and his family, so that they wouldn’t get swamped with questions about his condition. The show, however, knew the truth. The truth was that Patrice was in very bad shape. The doctor’s had told the family that even if Patrice did pull through, chances are he would never walk and probably would never speak again. On November 30th, 2011, the O&A show announced that longtime friend of the show, Patrice O’Neal, had passed the day before from complications from his stroke.

Like many fans of the show, I was devastated. Patrice was my favorite of all the comics. I had been lucky enough to see Patrice 3-4 times in the previous years, but had just missed his last show at the Helium Comedy club in Philly. I regret that so much as it turned out to be the last time I could have ever seen him. One of the greatest voices of my time had been silenced, and I was crushed. I’d never get to see him live again, never get to hear him on the show, never hear that over the top, yet amazingly contagious laugh again. Enter the album, Mr. P.

Patrice didn’t record much. I don’t even think he had ever had another CD produced. He only had two TV specials that I know of, the most recent being Elephant in the Room (another amazing piece of work.) There is something different about this album. It’s not just that he’s gone, which does make it special in it’s own right, but this album may be the best I’ve ever heard from him. I laughed from the moment it started, til the moment it ended, when I started it all over again. For me, this album was so good, I bought two more copies to give to friends of mine that I know are fans who may not have bought it yet. If they did, they can give it to people they think should hear it. Either way is fine by me. Not only am I donating money to his family by buying the album, but I’m helping keep his legacy alive by passing his finest work along to others. That is the last I can do for all the laughs the man gave me over the years.

In the annuals of time, they have a list of greatest comedians of all time. George Carlin. Richard Pryor. Bill Hicks. That’s another list that could go on forever. Patrice belongs in that category. To me, he belongs at the top of that list.

Inside the jacket of the Mr. P album is a foreword by Colin Quinn, and he sums it up better than I ever could:

“So please enjoy this stand up comic named Patrice O’Neal, because you won’t see the likes of him anytime again.”

Rest in peace, Mr. P. You are greatly missed.

Class dismissed.