Demetri Martin

Occasional Daily Show "youth correspondent” Demetri Martin’s first DVD is a perfect lesson in how to make the most out of a comedy DVD. The main feature is a full-length stand-up act demonstrating Martin’s multi-faceted comedy, which includes music (guitar, harmonica and piano), props, a "large pad,” art, animation and guest performers (either his friends or family). His deadpan delivery and thoughtful one-liners make him a cut above the Dane Cooks of the world but it’s Martin’s extremely creative and sort of "indie” DIY presentation that makes him both adept and frighteningly clever on stage. His jokes provide great imagery, like using the "paper clip” function on your computer to help write a ransom note, or how dynamite with a cuttable wick should replace paper in "paper, scissors, rock.” And it’s nice to see him take breaks to introduce other interests, like a cartoon featuring what he calls "Mytho-zoology,” a study of lesser famous mythical creatures like the Paradoxotaur, which exists if you don’t believe it exists. For his commentary, Demetri invites his family to sit in for what is indeed a non-commentary. While his act may not present a lot of new material to anyone who’s seem him live or heard his CD, These Are Jokes, there’s an absurd amount of bonus material for one disc. A Comedy Central Presents special is a whole other stand-up routine, with some old and new bits, and an interview tells "about everything that’s going on around out there.” Much older stand-up footage shows how comfortable he’s grown via clips that take him from fresh-faced and nervous to a giggling Jesus clone to shaggier and far more composed. Other features include rejected set designs, like a three million gallon water tank, and "Behind the Joke,” a VH-1 parody of when he was smacked with crappiness thanks to an awkward, unfunny joke. Perhaps the best feature though is the distinct songs he’s written for every menu on the disc.