In April 2023, Jamie Foxx suffered a serious medical complication and was hospitalized in Atlanta, where he remained in a coma for approximately three weeks. As Foxx explains in the exhilarating, inspiring, hilarious and poignant Netflix special Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was…, when he emerged from the coma, the next step was a stay at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago.

“They flew me to Chi-Town in Chicago for my rehab,” Foxx tells the adoring and enthusiastic audience as he directs the Coca-Cola stage at the Alliance Theater in Atlanta, looking every inch the part in his buttery-soft leather ensemble with gold every inch of it a megastar looking medallion that moves across the stage with grace and power. “You took care of me, Shirley Ryan…”

Foxx recounts how he wallowed in an echo chamber of self-pity, narcissism and denial and refused to work with physical therapists (“I’m Jamie Foxx, I don’t need no damn therapists, why did this happen? – – – did this even happen to me?” ), even though he could barely take a step on his own. There comes a therapist named Holly who, according to Foxx, said to him, “You need to stop this shit.” This whole “Jamie Foxx” thing is- – -. Stop these arrogant cops- – -. With this shot it doesn’t matter who you are. I’m Holly, mother- – – – -.’ ”

The healing began.

Now, this story may be exaggerated or even apocryphal, but a Chicago therapist named Holly telling Jamie Foxx to quit so they can get to work definitely rings true to me. Forget tough love; The Chicago way is, “You want love? Hard. We’re here to fix you.”

“Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was…” was recorded over the course of three shows in early October, with Foxx also serving as writer and executive producer. A lot of church, with Foxx thanking God throughout the show and even including the audience as a choir, as he sings, “God is always good…”

In an Instagram message posted in mid-October, Foxx noted that he hasn’t been on stage in such a format in 18 years, but “when people ask me if this is a stand-up comedy show, I say no , that’s an artistic explanation.” ” That sounds about right. Like any one-person show, What Had Happened Was… is an uncompromising ego trip; At one point, Foxx goes through a slideshow of some of his most famous roles and even recites a well-known line or two.

That’s the thing though; If anyone deserves a one-on-one celebration of his life and career, it’s Jamie Foxx, especially given what he’s been through. In just over an hour, Foxx reminds us that he is a natural narrator, a brilliant imitator (he slays with impersonations of Wesley Snipes, Denzel Washington, Katt Williams and Donald Trump, among others), and a talented musician whose voice sounds stronger than always.

Foxx also addresses the insane rumors and conspiracy theories surrounding his unspecified illness, which was kept secret because his sister and daughter valued his privacy and didn’t want his fans to see him during his recovery. “It said on the internet that Puffy tried to kill me,” he says. “I know what you’re thinking: Did he? Hell no. …I left the parties early. I was out at NINE.

Also: “You mother really thought I was a clone!” exclaims Foxx. “There’s not enough cloning juice in the world to clone me.” As the screen behind him shows Foxx on a boat on the Chicago River, he said the Internet reacted to the image by saying, “That’s not it.” God, Jamie.” “That’s a clone”… and then they saw me jumping out of a black car to save a black woman’s purse… and what did the internet say? “It’s not a God – – – Jamie. This is a clone.’ And then you saw me with a white girl: “THAT’S Jamie.” ”

This leads to an absolutely hilarious musical number in which Foxx claims to have given up on white women, singing, “No more white girls, no more potato salad and no more raisins… no more spray tan… no more white women.” no more white girls…

“In public.”

This is also a great looking and expertly edited special, with director Hamish Hamilton finding perfect crowd reaction shots to sprinkle in. Sometimes photos from Foxx’s life and career or graphics such as an EKG monitor can be seen in the background. A live band provides the musical accompaniment for some brilliant and moving musical numbers, including an appearance by Foxx’s guitar-playing daughter, Anelise. If you get through this moment unmoved, you may need the services of therapist Holly Your blood is pumping again.

The Emmys have a category for “Outstanding Variety Special,” while the Golden Globes recently introduced the “Best Performance in a Television Stand-Up Comedy” category. It might be up to Jamie Foxx to free up a little more space for some new trophies.