Tim Minchin: Back

Other than a pretty brief rant about confirmation bias that is nice, the majority of this performance feels either recycled or has no intention of being funny. Admittedly Tim has found himself in a landscape where atheism is no longer as "edgy" and funny as it was a decade ago, and thus his humor moved away from it, and suffers as a result.

He also seemingly messes up the rhythm of past jokes like when retelling his "thank you god" joke, he says he won't make fun of religion, and the punchline is supposed to be the song that suddenly starts making fun of religion, but he destroys the joke by telling the punchline before even singing the song by saying stuff about Jesus.

The joke is supposed to go: I don't make fun of religion anymore -> crowd goes awww -> he says sorry, I wrote a song about it to explain why -> crowd goes oh? -> punchline hits with the rhythm speeding up halfway through the song to make fun.

Instead it goes: I don't make fun of religion anymore -> crowd goes awww -> he says sorry -> then for some reason tells some jokes about religion -> then reverts back to the not making fun of religion at the start of the song. Therefore breaking the actual punchline of the song and that part of the act!

I rented this. On my third watching in that 48 hour window, so buying it will happen. That's okay. He's worth it. Why I want to give my money to someone who makes me cry, I guess, is between me and my therapist. If you are part of Tim's "tribe" (similarly-minded folks) this will hit every note, tickle your funny bone and tug at the heartstrings. The band rocks and is just the right size, and Tim is adorable, even when pushing a broom. (Trying not to put spoilers.) And he looks damn good for being mid 40s here. Damn good. DAMN good. (More talk with the therapist about me and younger guys. Ha ha.)

Plus, the dude can really sing.