Stand-Up Tuesdays is a weekly comedy spotlight written by the wonderfully talented Angie Frissore. Covering both known and unknown comics, Stand-up Tuesdays is your new source for all things funny.

This week, Angie puts a spotlight on Joe Rogan’s standup career. If you or your comedy troupe would like to be featured on Stand-Up Tuesdays, please email utgjames@gmail.com.

Last month, comedian Joe Rogan joined the latest growing trend in comedy by self-releasing his new special, “Joe Rogan: Live From the Tabernacle” through his website for only $5 – and in doing so, managed to slip this one right past many of the 2012 ‘Top Ten’ lists given the last-minute release date. Despite the amount of protests surrounding this omission, rest assured, comedy fans – Rogan’s special is definitely one of most solid performances coming out of last year.

Filmed on April 20, 2012 at the Tabernacle Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia, Rogan’s latest special offers the comedian at the top of his game – albeit a seemingly inebriated game, as it’s pretty darn obvious Rogan was partaking in some extra-curricular activities prior to taking the stage. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, mind you – especially since it results in an hour of absolute hilarity.

“I write shit down when I’m high and I get mad at myself when I’m sober. I wrote this down: ‘a unicorn is a donkey from the future,’” Rogan admits as he takes the stage. “What the fuck does that mean? It means you need to stop smoking so much weed, stupid.”

Rogan commands the stage throughout the special, maintaining an admirable level of energy and focus that would leave Doug Benson jealous. While the comedian does seem to roll through subject matter at breakneck speed like an A.D.D.-ridden teenager, he never staggers or loses his concentration – a common pitfall for any pot-friendly comedian.

I’ve never particularly paid a great deal of attention to Rogan’s material in the past, which is not to say I had any negative impressions of the comedian. I was familiar with Rogan from his days on News Radio, but was never really part of the Fear Factor fan base – and the mere thought of watching anything UFC-related gives me hives. But, like they say, you can’t judge a book by its cover and Rogan has blown any predispositions I may have right out of the water as he’s able to successfully portray himself as a loving father and down-to-earth guy who grew up in Boston.

“I had to tap out to baldness,” Rogan states, thanking the audience for not making fun of his hair cut. “At a certain point in time you can’t keep getting haircuts when your hair still looks like shit. You gotta admit what’s going on. Father Time, you cruel bitch – you win again.”

Rogan doesn’t think he’s better than you – something that is clear to see in his on-stage persona. He’s quick to admit his own faults and make fun of himself, which is best displayed as he describes a time while living in Colorado when his dog was eaten by a mountain lion.

“I see this creepy-ass motherfuckin’ tail – and that’s how I knew it was a mountain lion,” Rogan describes, “because nothing that’s nice has a tail like that…it popped its head between two trees and we made eye contact. I did not mean to do this, but my whole body dropped by two inches, and I went, ‘Uuuuuuuh!’ There was no chest-puffing – all I was thinking as I was sitting on the porch, I was looking at the door like, ‘I don’t think I’m gonna make it!’”

“Joe Rogan: Live from the Tabernacle” has definitely made me a fan of Joe Rogan, inspiring me to catch up on the comedian’s past works and slap myself on the wrist for not having done so before. His high-energy, non-douchebag stage presence is likeable, relatable, and most importantly – incredibly entertaining. Download your copy today for only $5 at Rogan’s website!