Martin Lawrence is making his long-anticipated return to stand-up comedy with his new Showtime special, “ Martin Lawrence Doin’ Time: Uncut.”
The hour-long special, which was filmed live earlier this summer at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles, California, marks Lawrence’s first stand-up special in 14 years.
“It’s something to take your mind off of all the craziness going on in the world, and just enjoy,” he told The Huffington Post in regards to what viewers can expect from the special. “It’s not complicated. It’s just a lot of fun. It’s raw.”
There wasn’t a particular reason for the decade-plus hiatus, he explained to The Huffington Post, adding that the special was an opportunity to reconnect with fans and “give them something that they’re used to seeing from me.”
The special, which is Lawrence’s third concert film, will feature the comedy veteran providing his take on some of today’s top headlines and issues including, President Barack Obama, Bill Cosby, Hollywood and personal relationships ― to name a few.
As for his commentary on the controversy surrounding Cosby, the 51-year-old says it’s all in fun.
“I don’t really have too much to comment on that. It’s a sad situation,” he said. “I don’t condone none of that stuff, so I don’t really have a comment on it. But what I say on stage, I’m just joking. It’s just my view on it. That’s all.”
In addition to his current sold-out national tour, Lawrence said that he’s also concluding the third installment of the blockbuster franchise “Bad Boys,” which is set to hit theaters in 2018.
Though the comedy scene has shifted since his last stand-up film in 2002, “Runteldat,” Lawrence still views the industry as a viable market for today’s comics.
“Well, I think comedy’s in good shape. I think Kevin Hart has proven that ― especially with all the social media and all the YouTube stuff,” he said.
“Comics now have a chance to get their material out there and viewed by more people and things like that. So I think it’s in good shape, you just gotta have the goods to deliver.”
The comedy special, “Martin Lawrence Doin’ Time: Uncut” premieres Sept. 9 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Showtime. Check out a trailer for the special in the clip below.
Before You Go
