Comedian Charlie Murphy allowed the severe saturation of catchphrases such as “I’m Rick James, bitch!” to taint an otherwise hilarious sketch in “Charlie Murphy’s True Hollywood Stories.” One of the best moments of Chappelle’s Show, “True Hollywood Stories” was great thanks to Murphy’s talent — he wrote the piece and drove the narrative with his effortlessly charismatic storytelling — but not without its faults. Catchphrases fade, thank goodness, and Murphy’s ability to draw in an audience through force of personality is reason enough to watch him do his thing live at the Improv. Here’s hoping he’s retired any part of his act that includes Rick James and is focusing on more pressing matters, like continuing to raise awareness of the crippling condition known as “ball collapse.” 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 31, 8 and 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, January 2 and 3, and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, January 4. Improv, 7620 Katy Freeway. For information and tickets, call 713-333-8800 or visit www.improv.com. $30 to $75.

Wed., Dec. 31, 10:30 p.m., 2008

This article appears in Dec 25-31, 2008.