'Final Approach' by Jonathan Winters review

Final Approach, the newest comedic album out in 15 years by comedian Jonathan Winters is, hopefully, the final approach to an attempt at comedy.

The CD says it is “totally improvised.” Unfortunately, the improvisation does not improve the comedic quality. Jonathan Winters has been in the business a long time and has influenced comedians like Robin Williams, but it’s time to stop. His work used to be pretty funny back in the day, but I’m afraid times have changed.

Each track displays one of Winters’ characters: a 100-year-old man, animal trainer, country western singer, English poet, 700-pound man, a French movie director and other odd, quirky characters.

The characters are being interviewed by Bob Shaw. The interviews really do drag on, and I suppose if you laugh at those kinds of boring, monotone comedic interviews, you should buy this album. But if you’re like me and like an act with some kind of energy, I’d advise you to save your $15 and buy something else.

Winters was born in Ohio on November 11, 1925. Winters went to an art school where he met his wife. He’s also done television, movies, and voice-overs for cartoons.

If only Winters was as funny as he used to be: