Sebastian Maniscalco: Is It Me?

The start is poor, he comes in with his usual mentally challenged voice doing very slow, very banal jokes about "my wife / my dad". He's done this countless times, I was hoping for something new and better.

The special picks up steam near the middle, though, and has its moments and fun stories, although not a single one to actually make you audibly laugh, like someone like Bill Burr or Patrice Oneal can...

Sadly the ending is as poor and generic as the beginning, just once again - yet another "my dad" tale that wasn't even a joke, just a story without really a punchline.

It feels about as bad, overdone and generic as Jeff Foxworthy and Jim Jefferies' last specials. Speaking of Jim Jefferies, at least one joke here felt like it was copied from Jim, which is some Inception stuff, because Jim himself is quite the joke stealer. Another two jokes felt pretty similar to Bill Burr bits.

So this wasn't really worth the excitement I felt for finally getting a comedy special on Netflix from someone recognizable and generally good.

I think it's time to change things up, Sebastian.

Good grief that's hard to watch. He thinks that making faces, bold gestures, talking like a working class Italian immigrant is funny. The bits have no arc. There's a beginning and then he flatlines. The most forgettable stories with no insight. His observational skills are puny compared to Seinfeld. Someone close to him needs to tell him, don't do that again. I kept thinking of Steve Martin talking to John Candy in "Planes, Trains and Automobiles":

"And by the way, you know, when, when you're telling these little stories, here's a good idea. Have a point. It makes it so much more interesting for the listener!"

I had high expectations of this Netflix Special, Is It Me.

Loved the premise of #Throwback-Vegas. I was expecting something different. This special was not one of his best. There was nothing close to his "passover" or "airport" or "dance moves" storylines that made you laugh and left you talking about those segments many months later! Middle part was good, but the beginning and end were weak.

Love the guy. Follow him on IG. Doing the "Special" on "Vegas Stars" of the past 50 years would have been hilarious!

Sebastian, time to step out of your "comfort zone". How about including your cooking and grilling experiences, your parties with your neighbors coming over, the difference cultures in your travels, how Canadians are different than Americans, eh! Music tastes or the habits of musicians, etc.

In my books, you are always a 10. However, when I compare your previous work to this "special", this was a 5. If someone is not familiar with your previous work, it was a 7.

Looking forward to seeing your next show in my city!

#LouSmiles.

Sebastian is one of the great stand-ups but no stand-up can catch 'lightning-in-a-bottle' every time. Maybe he lost a little form through the lockdown, maybe he got a little flabby through playing stadium gigs. Or maybe not - comedy is an elusive art-form and there's no formula for making it work every time.

There are great moments but it's quite far into the show before it starts to catch fire; such as when Sebastian nails the absurdity of his local schools' inclusivity policy. He also has a lot of fun playing with the audience's over-sensitive reaction to an ethnic reference, and the story of his trip to see "Hamilton" is a reminder of how good he can be. But on the whole the show never really takes off.

Disappointing, but he'll be back one day with a killer show - he's one of the best and great performers like him don't stay down for long.

Not sure what's going on with Sebastian but geez that was painful to watch. I'll be honest with you, i only made it half way through and i FORCED myself to even get there.

I will say that i loved all 3 of his previous specials and have watched them multiple times each. It was such a gut punch watching this - i didn't laugh once. Even the people in the audience didn't seem all that into it. It seems like maybe the fame got to his head, he was very low energy. It's like he thinks he doesn't have to work for it anymore - you're an entertainer...you have one job...be entertaining!

This one really just missed the mark, much like Bill Burr's last special, this was cringe inducing.

Do yourself a favor and skip this one. Sebastian should take his own advice and "Stay Hungry".