JOE BOB BRIGGS: DEAD IN CONCERT¹

An outrageous stage performance from the infamous drive-in movie critic.

In early 1982, Joe Bob Briggs became the world’s only drive-in movie critic with “Joe Bob Goes to the Drive-In.” His new paper column quickly became renowned for its perspective film and social criticism. By the end of its first year, the column was syndicated in over 30 newspapers nationwide.

Joe Bob pulls no punches. His satirical style is pointed and direct with no issue, group, or individual too sacred for his humorous attack. It is this principle that led to Joe Bob being surrounded in controversy.

In April 1985, his column containing the now infamous “We Are the Weird” parody was published. Within days, Joe Bob was canceled by both his hometown newspaper and national newspaper syndicate. His editors and syndicate were frightened and scared by the controversy. Yet, Joe Bob’s fans remained loyal and voiced their outrage at his being banned from their cities. Joe Bob’s popularity was undeniable. As quickly as he was canceled by one newspaper syndicate, another picked him up. This promised even greater exposure in more cities than before.

Joe Bob’s popularity and audience are stronger than ever and continuing to grow. His weekly column “Joe Bob Goes to the Drive-In” appears in 45 newspapers across the nation. He has authored articles for various national magazines and has published two books. He has performed his “Dead in Concert” stage act to sellout audiences from California to North Carolina.

Joe Bob Briggs is indeed a populist phenomenon. “Mark Twain would have been proud…and jealous.” – Dallas Times Herald

Recorded “Dead” at the Arcadia Theater in Dallas, Texas on November 23, 1985.

© Copyright 1985 VideoMark, Inc.

1. In 2022, The Lost Drive-In Patreon released the comedy special in three-parts on May 29, June 5, and June 12. ↩︎