Kevin James: Never Don't Give Up (2018 TV Special) User Reviews

Definitely Not Outstanding - But Enjoyable

[radicallegacy92 · 7/10 · 15 April 2021]

In my opinion it felt like he didn't have anything drastically new or original so for the first half it felt like he was just trying to feel out the crowd - more than he was unapologetically slamming them with some humor.

As I saw in some other reviews I have to agree that the second half was better and the improv-crowd comedy brought it home for a good close-out. In fact, the tattoo bits were probably my favorite.

Not completely family friendly so I would screen it before watching it with your kids if that's one of your concerns.

It was very close to a 6 for me but the ending gave it a little boost. As you can see from other reviewers the opinions widely vary so it really just depends on who you are. But the main consent is that it definitely wasn't a 10.

Not Bad

[gfrrrtopman · 7/10 · 24 September 2018]

If you liked king of queens you will like this. Worth a watch.

Funny

[harrisguy-29246 · 7/10 · 29 April 2018]

Some parts were a little boring but most of his special were funny and I laughed a lot

not a 'classic', but a pleasant sit through

[jlonesoldier · 25 April 2018]

This is kevin's first stand up special in 17 years, since his first, and only, 'sweat the small stuff' in 2001. whilst not as energetic or memorable, 'never don't give up' covers a wider variety of topics.

the title is a reference to one of the jokes. though it doesn't serve as a crucial focal point. the best material post 'sweat the small stuff' is compiled into an hour. this format works well as nothing drags, and it keeps things at a fast pace. yet enough time was spent fleshing out each bit, so it doesn't feel rushed. the trailer honestly doesn't do it justice.

the purple backdrop is a nice touch. kevin isn't camouflaged in black this time around. presentation is kept very simple; no need for cut scenes or intermissions as this isn't a television broadcast, or home media.

the audience doesn't seem to be as lively, and I even suspect that some of the laughter may be canned - due to it sometimes not matching their body language. of course there are plenty of laughs, but they were all even levelled across the board. none of the bits stood out above others in terms of their reactions.

kevin is still animated; his stories are peppered with facial expressions and mimes.

much of his act throughout the years has been based on frustration. however, this marks the first time that it has been directed towards certain groups of people. his age is starting to show, and that is reflected in the way he sees the world. he knows what he knows and isn't interested in learning anything new. there's an 'intolerance' that is worrisome, though not alarming...

clean humour has also been long associated with kevin's brand. he was never one to use any 'major' profanities or lewdness. here is no exception, in fact, this seems cleaner than 'sweat..' in that respect. however, there are some 'gross out' jokes and references to adult life that are not 'family friendly' as advertised, or suitable for the squeamish.

this may not have been exactly the sequel I was waiting for, but it's a nice addition nonetheless. stand up comedy is kevin's foundation. it's what he does best. in fact, it would be nice if he could focus on this medium exclusively, and develop a series of specials. just like his peers brian regan and jim gaffigan have.

"My apologies, the gluten douche trumps the lactose intolerant!"

[classicsoncall · 7/10 · 1 March 2022]

Not being a Kevin James fan per se, I thought his routine here was pretty funny, as he hit on themes that I've thought about in the past. Like these food allergies that no one ever heard of when I was a kid, but seem to dominate the news cycles with their warnings for folks who have no tolerance. Lactose intolerant, gluten-free and nut allergies all take a hit here, and he does a pretty good job of it. Other topics included tennis ball walkers, Under-Armour, tattoos, and putting kids to sleep at night. The cigar guy with the raincoat was also a funny bit, but I think he needs to work on his Nick Nolte impression; I never heard the actor sound like that. As a bonus, James keeps it clean throughout, not a single four letter word throughout his routine, something I appreciate that a lot of today's comedians don't hold to.

The title of the show says it all...

[paul_haakonsen · 6/10 · 9 June 2018]

This was the first time that I watched any of Kevin James stand-up comedy. Prior to watching "Never Don't Give Up", I have only been familiar with his work in TV series and movies.

I must say that I was more than impressed. Sure, I knew that he did have a funny bone. But he was so at home on the stage, that it felt very natural.

His jokes were good and well-delivered, and there were a good amount of laughs throughout the course of the show.

If you like Kevin James in the comedy on TV and movies, then you should definitely also take the time to watch this show. I was genuinely entertained and had some very nice laughs as he spewed forth his jokes and punchlines.

Just passable for a stand up comedy.

[deloudelouvain · 6/10 · 11 August 2018]

This is the kind of stand up comedy I just watch out of boredom, not expecting much entertainment. It's just passable, not really my kind of humor, at least not for a stand up comedy, which I like to be provocative, on the edge, wrong and sarcastic. For that I have to watch Jim Jefferies, Frankie Boyle, Ricky Gervais and others, because Kevin James does not belong in that list, he's way too soft for that level of humor. But I have not been yawning, and that's something, it was like I said just passable. But I doubt I will watch another stand up comedy from him, I'll just stick with the movies where he appears in.

Generic stand up set with some laughs

[columbiahunny22 · 4/10 · 11 June 2018]

My review may be biased because I'm not really a fan of Kevin James' TV or movie career, but I love stand up and figured I'd give this a shot. The jokes were pretty unoriginal, run-of-the-mill material I'd hear at any local dive comedy club. He jokes about being fat, men with food allergies needing to "man up" and (...honestly, I don't even remember much of the rest of his set) were all pretty boring and outdated. It was just generic. I did find the jokes about his kids to be pretty funny. I also enjoyed his crowd work (the bits about tattoos made me chuckle). However, I'm pretty sure his joke about his kid sneezing into his mouth was ripped off of Louis CK's bit about his daughter coughing into his mouth. If you're looking for some mildly amusing background noise, go ahead and put this on. Nothing special though.

HIlarious!

[strawberries404 · 8/10 · 22 May 2018]

I really liked this one. It was very funny. Being objective, I have to say that he lingered on some jokes too long but overall I was heartily laughing throughout.

Kevin come on... It's 2023

[kathleencollins-25159 · 4/10 · 10 June 2023]

Kevin, I've loved your comedy for years but this latest production...Really? You're bashing men for having lactose intolerance? It is a real thing. Please don't perpetuate the myth that men are intolerant to physical ailments. Jesus Christ. We've come so far. Really, get a new schicht!

Please don't do this to our society.

I've stop following you. Please Kevin Jesus Christ. You should get it.

I used to think you're funny, but not anymore! Society has changed for the better. I hope you can get on board and realize that.

Disappointed to hear your latest comedy comments... I hope you're not doing this just to try to make money.

Great

[annamariazuech · 10/10 · 28 April 2018]

It was really funny! A lot better than expected. He made very good jokes!

Not very funny

[ace_nair · 4/10 · 29 March 2020]

Looks like Kevin didn't have many writers to 'create' his comic situations. Ten minutes in and I decided that a drink was I order to pass the next 50 minutes. Disappointed.

Ugh

[nick-833-569563 · 2/10 · 2 May 2019]

Terrible. This just consited of jokes that were so old that even 40+ yrs already posted them as minion memes on facebook.

I broke up after a while, I skipped ahead to see if it would get better, but nah.

Really good stand up

[tumutdisco · 9/10 · 16 May 2018]

A couple of slow sections in the routine but for the majority it was absolutely side splitting! I love the fact I could sit with my kids watching it and still laugh because there were no profanities. Big thumbs up!

Second half was funny

[tycrew-524-205011 · 4/10 · 3 June 2018]

The first half was not funny at all in my opinion. He seemed almost like hew as faking being mad for the sake of the routine. Also the joke all seemed worn out. Kinda like the jokes you make with your family but you know every other family has also already made them. I stoped about 25 mins in I think because I was not enjoying it. Went back today to finish it because I like completing shows, and it was much better. Second half was funny and he seemed to easy up on the pseudo mad attitude. If the whole show was like the second half, I would have ranked it and 8.

It's Not Easy Making Family Friendly Standup That's Genuinely Hilarious!. Seriously So Funny.

[DoodieandTheBrofish · 9/10 · 23 March 2019]

This set is beyond great. Kevin James has perfect delivery, no matter the bit. Not as funny as his Sweat The Small Stuff show from years ago but as that was beyond a masterpiece and regarded as one of the best standup shows of the early 00's any thing after it makes it tough to compete. Never Don't Give Up is still absolutely hilarious and a great watch. I've seen it twice. It's not going to set records, but it's still better than the majority of Netflix specials and other comedy specials circulating today. Especially when considering the fact that he manages to stay insanely funny while staying family friendly. That's not as easy as it sounds it comedy, it's like playing without a crutch. He's a fantastic standup with his delivery of his simple yet relatable putting him levels above other comics!

This coming from the Burfshnart

[bryanjbab · 2/10 · 25 February 2024]

This was..... not good, I was having really bad anxiety and I wanted something to distract me. This title caught my attention, I love Kevin James... but I sat there and just kept waiting for it to be funny... and it wasn't. I couldn't even watch it all the way through it was just so uncharacteristically boring, and I truly wish I had good things to say about it. Absolute dud as far as I'm concerned. I would rather see him slow dance in the Hitch film and show off his fancy dance moves. At least that was funny. Kids shuffling slugs ipad lazy, etc. Everything they show in the previews is pretty much capturing the gist of this show. Love Kevin James but this is hardly a 2/10 and that's being generous.

HIlarious!

[strawberries404 · 8/10 · 22 May 2018]

I went into watching this skeptical of if Kevin James would be funny as a stand up comedian because I only know him from his movies and TV Shows, all of which I like, except for Paul Blart Mall Cop 2. I thought that this was very funny!

Pros: Family friendly. Very clean comedy, which I love. And I laughed throughout. Cons: He lingered on some jokes too long, but not too much where it really bothered me.

It's a great mixed style show.

[rafa_papi88 · 10/10 · 13 May 2018]

First of all. He had me laughing since the beginning. The show is a very organic one, He talks about stuff he really lives, so it's pretty genuine. Also mixes a little crowd fun which he manages awesome. I loved it and would watch and recommend it to anybody who wants to have a great time with Kevin's unique style.

Lots of fun, and good mostly family friendly comedy.

[bustamante0124 · 9/10 · 5 May 2018]

While certain sections felt a bit slow or dull, it was a good laugh for most of it. Got to give props to Kevin for managing a solid hour with no cursing or swearing and still keeping it for the most part laugh out loud funny.

The bit with his kids was a lot of fun, as was the food intolerance jokes. I honestly laughed at those.

The Tattoo bits were slightly dull. Though he does a good job at the "improv" with the different tattoos of audience members.

It is a departure from his normal over the top comedy in his movies though. So don't expect the Kevin James from Paul Blart or Adam Sandler's endeavours. Think more of Kevin James in King of Queens, and Hitch. Still funny but less outrageous.

A good solid hour for pretty much any audience unless you are sensitive about lactose intolerance.

Great performance

[backup-50362 · 9/10 · 8 January 2022]

He's a fun actor but perhaps even better as a comic. This was great - he's got a lot of energy, tells fun jokes that are edgy, yet not overdone political trash, and rarely resorts to yelling, unlike some other comics.

Only downside is a super tired and overly-long segment on lactose intolerant people which transitioned into a nut allergy bit - Ricky Gervais did this like a decade ago, Jim Jefferies was quick to steal it and also do it a bit later, literally every comic did it... Why, yet again, do we have to hear the same thing over and over? Come on... Someone have some creativity, some new jokes, stop recycling what's been done a million times.

In any case - still highly recommended, because the rest of the special is mostly fresh jokes. And let's face it - there's not a lot of good comics on Netflix, so if you're hunting for good stand-up - this is it.

See James in a movie than in a stand-up show

[bettycjung · 29 April 2018]

4/29/18. This was ok for a stand-up comedy show. Not very original, but the humor was clean and not offensive. I like him better in movies.