John Mulaney: Baby J

This is John Mulaney's first show since his personal scandal surrounding his drug addiction, rehab experience, and divorce. Following these tragedies he got serious with the amazing Olivia Munn, and had a baby. He seems to be past the worst parts of his life. This very funny and, sometime shocking, special is about the darkest times and more. He is painfully funny and honest about the darkness of the experience and his dealing with it. This is raw and honest and funny because it is authentic. Many comedians evolve from chaos and, quite honestly, are not funny at all. This is not true here. He is as funny as ever. Evolved as can be, but funny as ever. See this one, even if this is your first Mulaney special.

This might be John Mulaney's most honest appearance to date. He comes off as arrogant, bitter and deranged... And it's great!

I can honestly say it's the hardest I've laughed in a while. I've always liked Mulaney, and this turn into a darker comedy is unexpected but very pleasant. In allowing himself to be unlikeable he also allows himself to be relatable, more profoundly moving. I feel I am laughing with him, at him and at myself at the same time.

It's also impressive how he manages to talk about rehab and drugs, and generally very heavy topics, while remaining elegant. He doesn't ressort to being crass, he's just a drier version of his former self.

This special has made me excited for what the future holds for Baby J. He looks healthier, and I thank the 12 people who saved his life for the many years of chaotic laughter yet to come.

Kudos on whoever came up with that kind of production design and immediate opener for a standup special. It had really become boring to hear an announcer and witness the dude get on stage under applause. Both on technical and creative efforts, the visual aspects of this production are winners. The standup stands out thanks to how the "man talking on stage" is packaged.

And about the content: Yeah, enough of a differentiator to have a drug addict's rehab story told from such a perspective. Mulaney's reactions to the interview he gave to GQ was a highlight. And there was other good stuff, like the exchange between him and the 5th grader among the audience. (Not sure if that was planned/real, or improvised, though).

Still, there was something a bit off-putting, maybe even scary about the whole experience.

Mulaney thanks the intervention 12 for saving his life. But does he really register how dark a place he was in?

Certain remarks suggested he DID understand he was going to die of an overdose or of other physical outcomes of substance use. And it is totally understandable that, as a performer, he might intentionally avoid sharing on stage the darker memories and concerns he had had during the period. Also, no mention of his ex-wife looked like a marker on a personal level just to steer away from whatever caused his downfall.

Yes, that was a downfall. Not as an entertainer, but as an organism. Regardless of how audiences may be lead to perceive substance use, it is a health scare for good reason. People die on that. And in huge numbers.

As he told his story, I got the feeling that he was not distanced enough from his addicted self enough to make me say "this dude is off the hook for good".

Not that I was expecting a direct delivery of the moral of the story, but I thought there should be more than that soft advice of "Don't do it" to that 5th grader, something addressing the similarly troubled adults in the audience.

I just hope John Mulaney will not be in need of further interventions, and that the humor he found under the conditions can be replaced with healthier sources of inspirations in the future, regardless of the public enjoying such material or not.

I've been a fan of John Mulaney for years. But on my first viewing of this special, I started it and then stopped it. His rhythm is different. His tone and manner are different. I felt guilty at the notion that I may have preferred him as a comedian when he was using. I thought more about it and something hit me. I needed to grieve the loss of who I thought he was and make space for the truth of who he is. I went back and watched the whole thing thinking I may just need a moment to be reintroduced to him. So glad I did. He'll never be the same but wow he's still hilarious and this time it's sustainable. This special is really insightful, honest and genuine. It's rare for a comedian to leave me both laughing and reflecting. Definitely worth the watch.

Quick answer? Yes. In my opinion it is. I have always been a fan of Mulaney's and he is a master speaker without a doubt. And that still stands. He is very smart and knows how to sell it. But what has changed? Well.. He did. There is no more jumping arround, no more dancing, yelling.. It is not like I didn't like that kind of delivery but this John Mulaney just feels more real. He was blown by the wind and a bit waethered. Something huge happened and changed the way he acts and Mulaney feels much more open and truthfull. And that to me is what stand up is about a lot. As a person who had some rough years fighting addiction, anxiety or depression I really can relate to the new Mulaney much more and it puts him in a different angle for me. Now I feel like I get him. Just like that watch shop in New York.