I try to avoid the Denis Leary/Bill Hicks "taking sides" stance, because no one knows for sure what was stolen, who might have stolen what, and so on and so forth. Evidence has been put forward for both parties - I try to focus on their individual acts and not let the controversy over who's the real "genius" ruin their performances. Everyone steals from everyone - in the end, it's who did it best that matters.
Hicks was very funny. Misunderstood in his lifetime - and understandably so - but his death has given him a more legendary status amongst comedy aficionandos. In this classic performance from '92, Hicks rants about everything - politics, smoking, abortion, music, life, death, sex - and hits some really funny stuff.
Unfortunately, in my own opinion his actual delivery is not as funny as some other comedians. Hicks went for the throat - and sometimes he went too far. He was a great comedian, but I think a few more years would have helped him perfect the actual delivery of his jokes, because as you can hear in this recording, he often pauses or messes up his jokes (presumably because he forgets the next line).
If you enjoy comedy, this is a must-have. It's one of Hicks' classic performances and a classic performance by any standard, really.
