Marc Maron: From Bleak to Dark

Simply put, this stand-up special makes some people who are conformists uncomfortable, and that's too bad for them. Those of us who appreciate thoughtful, sardonic wit have nothing but admiration for everything Marc Maron's been through and come out the other side with honesty about the state of today's world. He hasn't changed his style so much as honed it to ridicule people who try to tell him how to live his life. Watching this again after knowing what to expect only made me appreciate it more. If you've got a thin skin or are narrow-minded comedically, you might not enjoy it. I laughed so hard it hurt, in a good way.

Marc Maron is a stand up comedian, podcaster, and actor. His prior specials are very dark and very good. This one is his best. It is tight and well paced. Maron takes us on a personal look at his relationship with his parents, the state of the people, and the loss of his girlfriend during COVID. Maron is angry and curt, but also sharp and intelligent. If you never saw him before it is good, but if you are a podcast fan it is even better. The Direction and set are visually appealing. The length was perfect. This is well played by Maron and he seems more comfortable than any other show. I recommend it.

I really enjoyed the dark humor. It's refreshing being able to knowingly laugh at the things so few of us ever discuss. Marc put our shared humanity on full display.

I too have a baseball bat in my bedroom and now I need to YouTube how to defend myself with a baseball bat because I'm no longer certain where to aim.

Toxic family, I think most of us can relate and there is no expiration date on feeling angry at your parent(s).

This special feels like it could be a support group where you're just listening to a fellow human and it isn't your time to share, yet.

Also, I'm sorry for Marc's loss.

Maybe because I have a soft spot for a cute couple that meets each other through their creative work; another soft spot for couples that have distinct but similarly vibing film and performing arts talents; was already a strong supporter of him; and I was definitely, am for sure, undoubtedly will forever be, a Lynn Shelton fan, this is my favorite Marc Maron!

This is pretty well known because anyone new to him will figure it out with the first few minutes listening to our watching any of his work, but Maron has a sui generis style that is consistent and maximized. There are other "conversation" style comedians, but none as dependably or as natural feeling as Maron. One truly believes it when he tells us that his philosophy is to not rehearse. He isn't ashamed when you catch him momentarily losing his place, pausing- not to try to remember a script, but to decide which of his many anecdotes to bring up next, or trailing away when he registers that he might have said something differently than he might have wanted to or went on for longer than would have been ideal.

It is like having an intimate conversation with a dynamic, extremely open, always charismatic friend where although, like everyone, he has some mundane parts (let us be honest, we even tune out our best friends here and there), even those are told with some engaging sprinkles, and are inevitably outweighed by all the riveting ones.

Tagline for his next special?

All-Exclusive Access To The Best Possible People-Watching Experience Ever!

Well. I didn't like his last special and I am not thrilled with this one. Seems that Maron YELLS his punch line to make sure when I should think that he's being funny.

The fact is, I know he's funny, when he's just sitting around interviewing people for his pod cast. He's not funny when he's trying to be - on a stage with a bunch of people in front of him - who have paid a lot of money to see him!

He had a couple good points that caught my attention and made me smile in spite of myself, but ....

I like Maron as an actor. I know that when he has a part in a movie, no matter how small, we're going to get the best of him.

Too bad it doesn't translate to his stand up.