Over the last few years, the name Byron Bowers has been seen more often in credits of prestige TV and acclaimed art house movies than on live comedy line-ups, but that doesn’t mean that Bowers isn’t one of the most imaginative and engaging comedians taking the mic these days.
His first hour special, Spiritual N**ga, shows off how deep he wants to get with the art of stand-up as well as break the mold in every single aspect, whether it be aesthetic or content. Bowers stitches together exquisite vignettes of his life as well as flights of fancy (that are occasionally induced by psychedelic mushrooms) making for what is the most poetic hour of comedy that we’ve seen this year (or in awhile). The contrast of his vivid imagery and his sharp, satirical wit are the perfect pairing for so many of the laughs throughout this hour. Ranging from 1700s “streetwear” to some of the darkest chapters of his life to his visions from his first time on shrooms, Bowers manages that ever illusive balance in comedy of getting philosophical and having punchlines to punctuate his points.
The whole look of it is a welcome departure, thanks to direction from rising auteur Alma Har’el, from the normal special too. Spiritual N**ga opens with a literally trippy narrative leading into a modified boxing ring as opposed to some cavernous theater that has been around for several decades. Killer Mike and Susan Sarandon are evens in the crowd and Byron runs a Casablanca scarf through his hoodie in place of drawstrings as sweet, atypical touches to a special.
Essentially, this special is, in all facets, a lot to behold making Spiritual N**ga a very fitting name. Get a taste of it with this trailer, then go watch it immediately on FX on Hulu right now.