Bo Burnham: Make Happy

It's not really my type of humor, but the guy is genuinely talented and passionate about delivering something with substance, and that should be valued.

I'm a long time fan of Bo Burnham (started seeing his stuff on YouTube back when he was in his bedroom) and every special he's put out has left me feeling different.

Words Words Words made me see art differently, especially performance art.

What made me question how I think and perceived my identity.

But Make Happy made me realize how shitty being a creative can be and how ageist the society at large can be surrounding ideas of love and acceptance.

This show explores the system surrounding commercialism of the music industry, how the rich shape the minds of the poor, how being down to earth can be an act, and how looking okay is a mask.

I loved the show. I felt awkward and uncomfortable when facing the realness of depression and working through it because life must go on. I laughed at the impressions, at the face value jokes, at the wordplay, and the interesting lyrics. I teared up at the end because it's hard to put into words how fleeting happiness is...

And Bo captured it.

It's rare that a comedy show makes you think hard about the world, about your relationships, and gives you concern for the happiness of the performer. Make Happy does all this at once, wrapped up like a burrito that's too full.

I watched on Netflix, then a second time that same night with a group of friends. Then a third time with a new group of friends a week later. And honestly, I'd gladly watch it again this week.

There were plenty of burst out laughing moments. There were plenty of clever classic Bo songs that mocked the state of "mainstream" problems and the way the public thinks. There were tons of jokes, then there were some very serious mentions of mental health, depression, and trying to appease the crowd (all of us.) All-in-all it was an incredible performance, unique, hilarious, and deep. A refreshing new dip into your standard stand-up comedy routine.

At only an hour, it's not too long that you'll feel like you wasted your time even if you hated it, and will leave you satisfied, yet begging for more if you love it. If you're reading this, give it a try.

The last 10 minutes are like unlike anything I've ever seen in a comedy special.

Bo really has his own special away of making "Happy".

Watched "what." some time before and really liked it, so I jumped right into Make Happy, when it was uploaded on Netflix and i loved it. I have to admit, he already has gotten my favourite Comedian now and I hope for a few more shows that can make you think and laugh in a different manner than other Comedians do. Highest Recommendation on my part, obviously. And even if you didn't like it, it's just an hour long, so don't worry about "spending too much time on something you didn't like".