Stream It Or Skip It: ‘Eric Andre: Legalize Everything’ on Netflix, A Stand-Up Special As Ridiculous As It Is Relevant

Eric Andre: Legalize Everything is the comedian’s first original stand-up special for Netflix, serving as both a welcome treat for his dedicated fans and a loud, energetic intro to newcomers. Many know him for his rambunctious pranks as part of his The Eric Andre Show on Adult Swim, and while there are a handful present here, Andre focuses on delivering jokes in the stand-up format — but, you know, in his signature style. 

ERIC ANDRE: LEGALIZE EVERYTHING: STREAM IT OR SKIP IT?

The Gist: Andre has been on the comedy scene for well over a decade now, and while some might remember him from roles on Don’t Trust The B In Apartment 23 or Man Seeking Woman, his cult following has grown from the absurd The Eric Andre Show, which is like mashing up a talk show and Jackass. If you’re wondering what his stand-up comedy is like, well it’s a whole lot of jokes about drugs, masturbation, sex, some more drugs, police, and then a few more drugs. The hour is ridiculous and loud and yet somehow tamer than his Adult Swim offerings, and a special that is sure to please his diehard fans while likely delightfully confusing anyone who dared sample him for the first time.

What Movies Will It Remind You Of?: The whole thing about Andre is that no one else is really doing what he does (on camera, at least). No one else is crawling on audience members and tucking their genitals between their legs and screaming into the microphone until the sweaty vein in their forehead nearly bursts. If you’re already familiar with the comedian, this will feel right at home for you. If this is your introduction, well, it’s one hell of a hello.

Performance Worth Watching: Stay with the entire hour because Andre does a bit at the end that he calls “auto-fill roulette” where he texts, and subsequently FaceTimes, with an audience member’s very game mother that will leave you smiling.

Memorable Dialogue: Netflix released the clip above instead of a trailer for the special which was a smart move. A trailer would’ve been…probably a bit erratic, but that clip gets the point across of exactly how specific and comedic Andre (who describes himself in the special as “Blewish”, for black and Jewish) can be at the same time. It’s tricky that he’s releasing his special at this crucial time in the Black Lives Matter movement, but his jokes, specifically about the police, could potentially be even funnier because of how true they are. The audience is laughing, yes, but he’s bringing awareness through humor, maybe an even more impactful avenue to take right now.

Single Best Shot: This entrance is all you need to know (and see) about the comedian to get his sense of humor, really.

Sex and Skin: YEP! If you know anything about Andre it’s that you’re likely to see a lot of his naked body. Within moments of the special starting, during a clip of him dressed as a cop who is offering drugs and bong hits to people strolling down the street in New Orleans, he’s also seen with his pants down, humping the wall in broad daylight. Plus, a mere seconds after climbing on stage for the special (see above), he lifts his t-shirt up to show off his whole torso. And yep, stay for the whole special and you’ll be treated to a full-frontal display (mostly). Oh, and you won’t just see skin, you’ll also hear all about many explicit bodily episodes.

Our Take: I know, we’re all sick of hearing about “these times” but it gives some context as to why this special appealed to me now. Plus, we’re all living in “these times” so you get it!

In a time where almost everything is changing, the latest Netflix stand-up specials have delivered some of the most consistent and on-brand takes from top comedians, including Jerry Seinfeld and Hannah Gadsby. While Andre is alllll the way on the other end of the spectrum from those two comedians (hell, Andre likely climbed onto his own spectrum, broke it in half and stomped on it while full-on screaming at it) I didn’t realize how comforting his craziness would be. Let’s be clear, this hour of comedy is as crass as it gets. But hearing about the time he was so high he missed a hologram performance at Coachella, a story that may seem (and kinda is) awfully irrelevant in the grand scheme of things today, brought me back to a time where that was a funny anecdote — and ultimately, proved it still is, no matter what is or isn’t going on in the world at this very moment. I loved picturing Andre having a freak-out in the middle of a crowded field. What a pleasure! Maybe not for him, but he does seem to enjoy telling it on stage. Plus, extra points for the intensity he brings when delivering this, and many other jokes for the entire hour. I can’t tell if it made taking drugs seem like a good or bad idea, but it certainly sounded very funny.

Legalize Everything also has cop jokes that are frustratingly relevant today, even though the special was taped months ago, which are just as funny as the many silly and sophomoric moments throughout. Mostly Andre’s jokes are completely ridiculous, and his loud, loud delivery only puts them over the top. Much of the special is wacky and it’s quite easy to see why he appeals to young adults in the high school to college age range. But Andre also places himself firmly as the butt of the joke, which is often the case with his pranks too. He’s gonna (and does!) look like the crazy one, and he owns that — and likely gets some extreme satisfaction from it as well. Sure, his comedy is loud and outlandish and very extra at times, but dammit if there isn’t some heart to be uncovered (just as much as his torso) in nearly all of it.

Our Call: STREAM IT. It made me laugh. And that kind of involuntary giggle that you can’t help, it’s just your body’s way of reacting, not a polite, calculated chuckle at any point. It’s not light, easy viewing by any means, but this chaotic special is a respite from the other kind of chaos that is 2020 and anything that provides a laugh these days is worth watching.

Stream Eric Andre: Legalize Everything on Netflix