Meet Bill Hicks, the "Dark Poet" of standup comedy who burned brightly, but quickly, in the 1980s and early 90s. A savage truth teller in the tradition of Lenny Bruce, George Carlin, and Richard Pryor, Bill developed an intense cult following, especially in England. His sets were unpredictable, mixing satire, history, and philosophy with impeccable timing and a whole lot of NSFW content. When he died from cancer in 1994, many comics noted he was ahead of his time. To that point, all of Bill's recordings have been reissued in recent years and many of his sharpest routines are still right on target today. As always find more cuts below, and thanks for sharing our shows.

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Bill was a chain smoker on stage so the movement to restrict indoor smoking was predictably greeted with snark. But hey, Bill, tell us how you really feel! https://youtu.be/xDbDT3Bry2g

Bill was a wild man and indulged heavily in drugs and alcohol. As his health suffered he gave them up -- but his take on the matter might not be what you expect. https://youtu.be/VCcHkR9iv7M

Bill Hicks once said that comics who do commercial should be stricken from the "artistic roll call." Some would say he simply wasn't offered any, but that's not true -- let Bill tell you himself. https://youtu.be/pRcF7t5HGhQ