Blue Collar Comedy Tour: One for the Road

The tour's "final installment," One For The Road is a live recording at the historic 1,800-seat Warner Theatre in Washington D.C. featuring 100-plus minutes of new material. The two-disc set is packed with fresh solo standup from each comedian and on disc two, an encore where all four come back on stage together to tell their favorite jokes (that they didn't write), just like they do with each other casually after shows at the IHOP or on the long tour bus rides.

Bill Engvall is arguably the nicest (though Jeff Foxworthy is pretty nice too) of the four comics, and he opens up the show with a dose of humor that could be coming from the young-at-heart father on a family sit-com -- or from your own dad, when he was hanging out with his friends. We can certainly identify with his impish impulse to play on his son's trampoline ("I'm an Idiot") and his making fun of stupid TV advertising ("Good American Breakfast"). And what dad doesn't blow his top once in a while? It's hilarious to hear about his battle with an ornery flight attendant ("Scooter To Level 9").

The tuxedoed, scotch-nursing Ron White, meanwhile, is more like the intimidating uncle who always makes family reunions more fun -- and a little more edgy. You can just imagine him -- embarrassed to be there in the first place and loading up his paper plate with potato salad, half-drunk, and cutting down his elderly mother's dieting advice ("Erectile Dysfunction and Dieting Tips").

Next, Foxworthy takes the stage with what he's famous for: more great jokes about redneck culture ("Redneck Dictionary," "Supermodel or Redneck"). But in his opening and closing segments he reminds us that he's a fantastic observational humorist too. And he does an impressive imitation of his wife ("Hunting With My Wife") that shows his versatility.

The one-time morning show radio personality Larry the Cable Guy closes with his trademark drawl, camo hunting cap and sleeveless work shirt all intact. His star is on the rise probably because his jokes, though raunchy and controversial, are presented with such a down-home aw-shucks delivery that he gives everyone permission to laugh along with him. He also is the most political of the Blue Collar guys, getting his licks in against anti-gun and anti-meat activists ("Hunting, Popeyes & PETA") while also making fun of himself.

As a bonus, the second disc also has a country-pop song by Jerome McComb that's dedicated to the Blue Collar guys' misadventures during their year-long tours. Yes, the Blue Collar comics are definitely well traveled... and just as widely appreciated. If you're a fan of one or all four, you owe it to yourself to put this disc in your car or truck so you can have them with you as you travel down the Stuckey's -- and Cracker Barrel -- strewn heart of everyday America with a smile on your face.