John Mulaney: The Comeback Kid

I had already seen Kid (I think I watched them out of order) so my expectations were high.

I loved this just as much as his other show.

Again, the jokes translate across to a U. K audience and they were funny and clever.

John is not afraid to make fun of himself (very important for a British audience) and there is a great warmth about him.

He is a great performer using his physicality and voice to his advantage without becoming a clown.

A lot of the jokes are based on his family and are about quite mundane situations - like his dad buying a drink.

But he injects so much life and passion into them you can't help but get caught up.

Some U. S comics are too loud and brash for the UK - John hits the sweet spot for me.

I don't really get the appeal of John Mulaney. Physically and comedically. I found this special unspecial. I laughed once.

My lonesome laugh was at the real estate bit. I love the way he says "aren't" And I think the back to the future bit was genuinely terrible.

I never really realized that part of why the special was named 'The Comeback Kid' is because of what happened to his sitcom. John Mulaney proved that one career setback does not define him as a person and this comedy special serves as the proof of it. His jokes are absolutely brilliant and his delivery is entertaining as always.

Many comics, like a Steven Wright or Mitch Hedberg, thrive on sets of one-liners. Others, like a Mike Birbiglia or Patton Oswalt, are storytellers. They tend to build to a climax, often inserting callbacks to earlier jokes for continuity. That creates more of a connection between the audience and the experience.

In this case, Mulaney sprinkles tidbits about his parents - especially his father - throughout a mostly biographical routine. All of those insights come together in his final anecdote about meeting Bill Clinton, maximizing its payoff. Superbly structured.

I watch this monologue at least once every month and I still laugh. *chef kiss* 10/10