Jenny Slate: Stage Fright

I felt this was it's own form of art. Silly and awkward, with highs and lows, it felt like a wonderful exploration of a chaotic mind. While it's not laugh-out-loud the whole time, it's authentic and I really left feeling like I would look forward to seeing what she does next.

I'll preface this by saying I think Jenny Slate is a talented actor and and incredible voice-over actor. I have followed her career and enjoy just about all she does.

That being said, I found this difficult to watch. I wanted to like it, but it felt amateurish and awkward. And not particularly funny at all. I know this wasn't billed as pure stand up per se, but for me (as all reviews are just opinions) this isn't her realm. Stand up takes years to master, and putting together a "set" takes lots of work and re-work, trying out material on audiences and making adjustments and timing is key. This felt more like stream of consciousness with a few pre-planned anecdotes. It felt clear these were unchartered waters.

I see that some people vibed with it. She is intriguing (i'd love to have a beer and conversation with her) and and her quirkiness, along with some home footage and interviews were enough to be entertained.

I did note at least one person thinking the negative feedback thus far is based on taking a jab at the patriarchy and government. Yeah, someone is always offended by something, but I'm a white dude and thought they were cool sentiments. Just didn't work for me overall.

I'll keep watching and rooting for Jenny, but my guess is, the consensus will be that this experiment won't be considered one of her successes; in a career filled with them.

First off I'd like to say that I think Jenny Slate is one of the most talented voice over artists working today. She brings characters to life and pretty much stole every scene in Secret Life of Pets. So when I heard she had a stand up show coming out I was very excited...however this could of been so much better than it was. I realise It's probably the hardest medium to work in so anyone who even attempts has my utmost respect but with that being said this is a missed opportunity.

I could literally go through this whole set up and break down which bits to expand, which parts to drop, which parts need tightening up, so why didn't anyone else do this with her?

My frustration is that Jenny is funny and this could of been so much better with just a little more work and refinement. I'm not a critic, but as someone who loves standup and appreciates it as an artform I can't help but express a certain level of disappointment with certain specials of late which just aren't up to par when you have the status and resources that someone like Jenny has.

Why doesn't she have a mate saying "hang on, you need to work on this bit" or "that's not needed. And Jenny if you read this I genuinely think you're incredible and would gladly put my money where my mouth is. And as far as your question about romance goes...I think its pretty obvious that your dad isn't someone who opens up about his emotions freely and you probably didn't feel enough of that as a child. Not his fault of course, and its made you into the person you are today but I think thats a more honest answer than "romance being built in" not that you were avoiding it.

I love the concept of threading a mini doc about who you are and your family thoughout the show, but you could of delved deeper. You're family are clearly very interesting successful people. Hearing that your sisters are happy in love and why you're not is such a great theme to explore considering how "successful" you've become in the public eye...a discussion about you're achievements and how its affected the family would be great...that might seem a little personal but then you were open enough in other areas. One of the cornerstones of great comedy is uncomfortable truths and suffering. So next time play to your strengths. And if you're not sure what they are then get someone who loves you and wont sugar coat it to tell you and I'll go through the whole show. At the end of the day you still did it, so fair play and congratulations, but you have it in you to be truly awesome, and you damn well know it.

I like Jenny Slate, and I think this special perfectly captures her as a person. She is unpredictable and Silly, and I think that's what people love about her.

I think you can tell that she isn't a regular in stand up comedy, and a lot of the jokes were hit or miss for me. But I think the handful of things that made me laugh really hard made it worth watching.

If you like her, then watch it, and if you don't like her, give it a go anyway.

When I saw "silly" I thought, yes, one of the few modern comedians who are putting the fun back in funny. But then she kept laughing at her own jokes and it all became a bit too much.

I think for the most part she should do her, keep that spark alive, but I would suggest she tone it down just a hair. I think then she could be a breath of fresh air in stand up.

Wishing her the best.