John Mulaney: The Comeback Kid

Many comics, like a Steven Wright or Mitch Hedberg, thrive on sets of one-liners. Others, like a Mike Birbiglia or Patton Oswalt, are storytellers. They tend to build to a climax, often inserting callbacks to earlier jokes for continuity. That creates more of a connection between the audience and the experience. In this case, Mulaney sprinkles tidbits about his parents - especially his father - throughout a mostly biographical routine. All of those insights come together in his final anecdote about meeting Bill Clinton, maximizing its payoff. Superbly structured.

I don't know John Mulaney from any of his other work, but I'm doing a little homework before seeing him in person at a comedy venue in about a month. This special comes from the Chicago Theatre in 2015, with Mulaney's routine delving into such topics as growing up Catholic and being an altar boy, recently getting married and not having kids, smoking weed, and crazy people in general. This one seemed to have slightly more profanity than his 2012 show called 'New Kid in Town', but that didn't seem to be his primary focus as opposed to a lot of other comics who drop a four letter word into almost every sentence. Mulaney closed his routine with a funny story about meeting Bill Clinton as a child; the hook there being that the former president had college classes with the comedian's mother. It could have been totally risque, but Mulaney managed to keep it above board.

I never really realized that part of why the special was named 'The Comeback Kid' is because of what happened to his sitcom. John Mulaney proved that one career setback does not define him as a person and this comedy special serves as the proof of it. His jokes are absolutely brilliant and his delivery is entertaining as always.

I've seen this at least 5 times. John Mulaney's delivery is genius. I really think you can see this echoed in a lot of skits online nowadays- the way he frames his jokes and his intonation have spread into mainstream comedy. He can spin a very mundane topic into cry laughter. In particular, his commentary on the Catholic Church is very funny- he knows how to poke fun at his own upbringing and personality in a way that doesn't come off as attention seeking.

Love stand-up, but usually prefer an edgier type (Bill Burr, Lenny Bruce, Doug Stanhope) but this is one of the funniest specials I have seen. The Bill Clinton bit was hilarious. Every joke just hit, especially about being raised. "My Dad loved us, he just didn't care about our happiness or self-esteem"...I don't know if it was because I related to so much, but my sides hurt this was so good. Definitely a 10/10.

I don't really get the appeal of John Mulaney. Physically and comedically. I found this special unspecial. I laughed once. My lonesome laugh was at the real estate bit. I love the way he says "aren't" And I think the back to the future bit was genuinely terrible.

I'm generally a fan of Mulaney but most of the jokes just werent landing for me, simple as that. Slightly forced, not very funny jokes. Just my opinion!