It has been awhile since I have watched late night television, which means for me that I not only forgot what Craig Ferguson was up to, but he also decided to leave his CBS show at 12:35 a.m. after almost a decade in the role. I also knew he appeared on The Drew Carey Show, but didn't know he wrote several books and screenplays, and his stand-up special Just Being Honest was his second such special for the EPIX network.

Filmed at New York's Town Hall shortly after his departure from his show, this 75-minute special is split into two chunks of consumption: the first half and change of the special looks at political correctness and how easily and often people are offended. The title of his special is actually the second part of a saying he uses often throughout, which is, "I'm not judging, just being honest." Which is fine, it is a nice philosophy to have after all, but attacking Kenny G, political correctness and cultural sensitivity seems like shooting fish in a barrel, particularly for a guy who is well versed in comedy over the course of a couple of decades.

It's the second half of the special which for me was more enjoyable, largely because of the change in dynamic. Just Being Honest has Ferguson recall a phone call from Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger, to discuss a potential screenplay. Ferguson apparently gets brought in, shares a quesadilla (pronounced by Jagger as it's spelled), then they go to a party and eventually a Stones show. The wide eyed wonder of Ferguson as he meets Jagger and Keith Richards while observing and mimicking their various quirks is entertaining and at times lively.

The contrast in material really is fascinating for a guy that has lived a lot of life and presumably had a firm grasp of comedy. It is almost like watching some weird stand-up comedy bingo for the first 30-45 minutes, in that it is rapid-fire, devoid of some laughs and almost an insult to Ferguson's talent. When he does get comfortable and relays the Jagger story, the confidence and swagger is there, the ease of going through the material is effective and funny. If he did 75 minutes on relaying personal experiences (something he had to do in his last job), I would pay cash money to check it out.

As far as Just Being Honest goes, the distinction in the shift is clear to see, and it effects the quality of the special. Fans of Ferguson will find something to enjoy about it, but the post-talk show part of Ferguson's career appears to be a work in progress, and I hope he becomes a spoken word raconteur a la Henry Rollins because I think he may be on to something.

Just Being Honest is presented in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen and looks fine. The special is multicamera over three other angles aside from center (stage left, stage right and for whatever reason an overhead one), and they employ various effects to appear aged or distressed when they cut to them. They do not use them often, focusing on the front, and that angle is fine, with an occasional moment or two of image noise but nothing that wasn't surprising coming into viewing this.

Two-channel Dolby stereo on this disc and the results are pretty much as expected. Dialogue sounds fine, and the crowd noise is nicely balanced and picks up a hoot or holler or two.

Nada pahdner.

When it does air, I would recommend checking out Just Being Honest less for the comedy that is in the front half of the special and more for the end half based on nothing else but potential. Ferguson has proved in the past he can put the assets together for a compelling and entertaining story, once it's translated to the area that Ferguson is most familiar with, his shows are going to be appointment viewing.