Stand-Up Funny

I will watch stand-up acts before I will choose a movie these days. Some of these comics I have followed for years and their sets I have listened to over and over. Here are some of the latest.

Baby J

He picked up on my radar with the Radio City special. I liked the way he told jokes with a 1950’s dad voice. I think there was another special and the next time I see him is that thirst trap Instagram photo he took standing next to Adam Samberg. I remember thinking, did John Mulaney always look that fucking hot?

What we learned in the gossip section of social media and through his special is that he was going through a lot of cocaine and he tells some hilarious tales about how it was a long, windy road to rehab. Could you imagine an intervention with a roomful of sober comics? Goodness.

Hello, World

This is the second special I’ve seen with Nate Bargatze. He’s good. He reminds me a bit of Jeff Foxworthy — the way that a normal story about a regular event gets turned into a tale that spans the entire bit. He has a bit in this special about how your enthusiasm for leaving the house is directly tied to your age. I agreed with a lot of it, but I’ve always been a member of the tribe, “I’ll drive myself”. Probably trust issues.

Only Fans

Matt Rife comes up on viral posts on Instagram and TikTok. I’ve seen a few new comics come up in this fashion and then when I watch the set, it’s not that impressive. I enjoyed his whole set. He is distractingly good looking, but the way he’s always angry, you just know he was dumpy looking in high school and that’s why he’s funny. I think some of his best material is when he gets into little arguments with people in the audience. He has destroyed a few live and you just know, if that’s him off the cuff with a stranger, he is an asshole to have as a friend. I like him.

Revolution

I have heard so many comics allude to her being a bully — every last one of them is a guy. I don’t think I’ll be able to believe it until it’s one of the girls that steps forward and says she’s a bully. She might be, but she’s also funny. I’ll remember this set for the bit about the sunsets while riding elephants. The way that we have conflated happiness with leaving our comfort zone to embrace a superficial exoticism is definitely peak 2000’s.

I like that she embraces the Karen qualities. I applaud her for it. Unless it’s hurting someone’s civil rights, being a bit of a bitch on a daily basis isn’t all that bad. She lives in Los Angeles, you actually need that to get around town.

From Bleak to Dark

Marc Maron is one of my favorites. His conversational style is also why I like his podcast. I need to see a film where he is the voice of reason for a protagonist, but instead of helping to lead the way, he confuses you about what path to take. His angst is always fun to watch.

He’s been doing this longer than a lot of the other comics on my list and the difference that I notice is that you forget he’s doing a set. His special is less about him performing in front of a crowded room and more a guy sitting at a barstool telling you a story about their day. I really need to catch his act at the Laugh Factory. He performs a lot in DTLA, but I hate paying for parking. I would probably drive to Long Beach to see him before I would downtown.

Selective Outrage

We waited almost a year to hear what he had to say about that night. Another comic came out the same weekend with a special dedicated to this part of his act. He’s always spot on. His timing and pacing has just gotten better and like Maron he takes his time with bits. He ended his show with the truest truth — don’t fight in front of white people.

Sap

This was my introduction to Mae Martin. I enjoyed the special. What I picked up from this special is that young anger looks different. With the older comics, like Maron and Rock, the anger is cold and has become a part of them. When you’re watching them perform it’s just a part of who they are. With Nate and Mulaney, the anger comes in and out during conversation, that’s more where I’m at. You’re having a normal conversation and then something triggers your memory and then you blow up.

With the younger comics like Martin, the anger comes out in an observational fashion where they recognize it and then diagnose it as they’re feeling it. She reminds me a lot of Ava Daniels in Hacks. The bit unwinds where they’re telling you while realizing that it’s a story at the same time. A discovery while talking to you. It’s a style I’m noticing and it’s not bad.

Razzle Dazzle

I love Bert Kreishcher. I’ve seen each one of his specials at least a dozen times each. He’s an act that I can leave on in the background all day. I know his wife and kids’ names and when he mentions one during his act, I have an idea about the kind of story we’re about to hear. Even his parents have become staples in his set and it’s hilarious.

The bit about the escape room had me dying. What I like is his way to incorporate experiences that we have all had and then honestly tell how everyone in his group lost their shit during.

Listen to how he describes what happened between him and his dad in the escape room.

It reminded me of when I went to an intense escape room where they had a hallway that got shorter and shorter as you walked through to the point that you had to crawl. I specifically asked if there were any small spaces when signing the waiver because it freaks me out. I was assured there wasn’t one.

I get to the dark hallway and I just give up, and proceed to lie on my back and close my eyes. That’s how I get back to center. Did I mention there’s a demon chasing us through the escape room. When she reaches me, I keep my eyes closed and tell her just to go over it’s fine. She replies, “we’re not allowed to touch guests and I really can’t get by you without bumping into you so I’m going to have to ask you to move. Arrgh.” I put my hands above my head and have my cousin pull me through while still not opening my eyes. Go to an establishment and fail in front of the staff that are supposed to help you and you will tip the iceberg of some of the scenarios I’ve found myself. His bit about the escape room hit home because I was that girl in the same scenario.

The Machine is someone I want to see at a PTA fundraiser.

For the One Time

I have friends that will skim through my work and I know the only question they will have after reading through this amazing group of comics is to ask about the thirst trap photo I mentioned in the beginning. See below — doesn’t it look like a guy you would bump into in a social setting and then the next thing you know you’re ordering your drinks with oat milk to match him and beating yourself up because you don’t go green enough? Cocaine skinny has to not look so good. Yeah.