Christopher Titus' "Love Is Evol" becomes ratings success

Comedian Christopher Titus’s latest standup special, “Love Is Evol,” debuted on Comedy Central on Valentine’s Day. The 90-minute show’s draw was so strong it came in No. 2 for all broadcasts, network and cable, with 18- to 34-year-olds in its time slot, according to a news release.

The hilarious and unflinching look at dating, marriage, divorce and tour de force on all things love was released Feb. 17 on audio CD, debuting at No. 2 on the comedy chart and No. 10 on the top new artists chart, and on DVD by Comedy Central Home Entertainment and Paramount Home Entertainment.

Titus declares his no-holds-barred intent at the special’s outset: “If you are here tonight and you’ve never contemplated suicide, you’ve never been in love. If you are here tonight and you’ve never contemplated murder, you’ve never gotten divorced. … Tonight’s show will fix your relationship or break it. Either way - you are welcome.”

With his keen eye for the comically absurd and vibrant actor’s presence, Titus slices away at such hot-button subjects as his divorce, his parents and his own conception (“my umbilical cord was a crazy straw”), sex, jealously (“the relationship death camp”), capri pants, men’s underwear, Alec Baldwin and “dating after 20 years in a relationship.” Titus takes the true tales from his vividly wild life and spins them into irresistible hilarity. The show ends on a high note as Titus cracks wise about his new relationship with an “out-of-my league” woman. “I have a dream,” he concludes, “because I have lived a nightmare.”

Titus has become one of today’s most provocative comedians by transforming his own dysfunctional family background and bizarre life experiences into side-splitting and insightful comedy. He starred, created and executive produced his self-titled Fox TV series “Titus” from 2000-02.

Raised in a family with parents who suffered from mental illness and alcoholism, Titus turned his background in fodder for comedy. Starting his career at age 18 and forging his way to popularity on the comedy club circuit, he debuted his one-man show “Norman Rockwell Is Bleeding” at the Hudson Theater in Los Angeles. His often dark and deeply personal storytelling connected with audiences and critics and became a hit. After wowing comedy fans at Canada’s prestigious Montreal Just for Laughs Festival in 1996, ’97 and ’99, Titus brought the show to the festival in 2000 for a sold-out run at Montreal’s Centaur Theatre.