Hannah Gadsby: Something Special

I watched both Nanette and Douglas (Hannah's previous Netflix specials), and I enjoyed parts of each show. I found myself laughing at the Art jokes quite a lot. Even some of the lesbian jokes were fun, but they also get tired fast.

But this special, was like watching paint dry! It was more like a chore.

There was a joke that got a chuckle out, but I forgot which one it was.

I don't get why she is repeating how good she is as a storyteller and how bad her wife is at telling stories. I got it the first time, it doesn't become funnier if you say if a bunch of times.

The jokes are very mild and boring, definitely not worthy of such a large audience. But maybe I just didn't get it?

Hannah jokes that we are owed a feel good show after previously making us laugh and cry - and the show delivers on this promise.

Like most good stand up - it felt short and left you wanting more. Like most good stand up - stories linked into other stories, and stories about telling stories were also a pleasure.

And that is just it - laugh or cry, Hannah tells stories, facts, truths in the type of way that makes us feel we could all be successful comics telling the nuances of our lives - but Hannah nails it.

You wont have your heart wrenched like Nanette - but you will be entertained and this is "something special"

I always found Gadsby super witty and edgy, but this one is so put on it fails to be counted as comedy. Gadsby definitely lost her edge here, telling "normal" jokes something she really doesn't have an advantage in. And all the name dropping is so tedious. I couldn't even follow the storyline of her meeting with Jody Foster, among others. She sounded as if she is not convinced of her own jokes, which makes sense. The tone is flat and monotonous, it's as if she is banking on her fans liking her that she is not bothered to put in the effort. It really doesn't work when the comedy is entirely 100% about you! You're interesting but not THAT interesting. Sorry Hannah thumbs down for me for this one.

If this was described as "a person walking around on stage talking about boring mundane day-to-day things that are not funny" then I would laugh and be like "are you serious? I gotta watch this". But it was described as a "comedy special", so I watched this thinking that someone was going to tell jokes and I was going to laugh.

Not only did I not laugh, but the audience didn't laugh either. There is one joke about the color blue.... wow, it was like watching that one lady back in 2016 who said "wiped the hard drive? Like, with a cloth?", which is essentially when the word "cringe" was invented in pop culture. The entire audience of this special looked at each other with a weird look on their faces thinking "Is this funny? Am I supposed to laugh?"

I hope that analogy gives you an idea of what you can expect to feel when you watch this thing. It is beyond dry. And I don't mean dry like the Office, but dry like static cling in your laundry. You are going to get electrocuted when you stand up from your couch to turn off the tv.

How did this person manage to secure a Netflix special? I just don't get it. I highly doubt you will either.

I enjoyed Nanette and Douglas, so I was quite easy to win over. However I can find (understandably) that comedians with one or two strong specials can struggle to live up to their previous work, or delivery more of the same. With all of Gadsby's specials I have found they have their own unique tone and message.

I enjoyed the celebration of a relationship from start to present. I write about love in my own work and worry I come off as overly sentimental and boring so I found something special to be a lesson in how to talk about your partner in a way that people can relate to.

I also always get a lot from Gadsby's observations about being autistic, and that they explain their experiences in a way anyone can relate to.

Is it funny? Yes, I laughed a lot and find the special has re-watch value. Will you find it funny? I don't know but you will enjoy the performance and story.