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Brick Wall Comedy
Brick Wall Comedy
Cover image credit: Thumbnail: YouTube · The Andrew Schulz

Infamous

Andrew Schulz

YouTube · 2022 · 57 min

A high-energy, crowd-work-heavy set filmed in Austin, Texas.

Watch it free on YouTube (opens in a new tab)

Andrew Schulz works the stage like a hype man, relying on conversational pacing and aggressive crowd interaction to sell a set packed with controversial premises. The performance is structured less around traditional setup-punchline mechanics and more around a relentless, high-energy dialogue with an eager audience.

Taped at the Paramount Theatre in Austin, Texas, the set leans heavily into cultural taboos. Schulz takes on topics like abortion, handsome serial killers, and the financial contradictions of modern feminism, pacing the stage with a crooked grin and a bouncing, physical delivery. Critics and skeptical comedy fans noted that some of the edgier bits rely more on shock value and crowd work than on tight writing, but the room is entirely on board.

The special gained as much attention for its distribution as its content. Schulz claimed he purchased the special back from an unnamed streaming platform that demanded edits to his material. Whether a genuine stand for creative freedom or an effective marketing play, the independent release bypassed traditional gatekeepers, eventually racking up tens of millions of views on YouTube and solidifying his social-media-first career model.

The set list

4 bits

  1. Comparing MAGA hats to tear-drop tattoos and mocking political merchandise

    Front-loads the set targeting political tribalism, noting that President Joe Biden inspires no passion because he has no merch.

  2. The abortion debate

    Dissects the abortion controversy by presenting unconventional, fresh perspectives while taking an ostensibly pro-choice stance.

  3. Michael Jackson allegations

    Leans into uncomfortable topics surrounding Michael Jackson while making himself the butt of harsh critiques to balance the taboo subject matter.

  4. Sex and promiscuity banter

    Approaches promiscuous and sexual humor with a fresh perspective to bring the performance home.

How it plays

Tone
Raw, irreverent, edgy, and taboo.
On stage
Unapologetic, daring, and unfiltered with a disarming smile and grinning innocence that allows him to touch taboo subjects.
Pace
Fast-paced and high-tempo, described as moving like a prize fighter bouncing before a round, blending arm flailing, precise physical beats, and nonstop momentum.
About
politics and Donald Trump, culture and race, abortion debate, serial killers, sex and promiscuity, Michael Jackson and Bill Cosby

What the critics said

Praised for masterclass crowd work, quick wit, and relentless punchlines tackling taboo material, though critics noted its reliance on edgy subject matter can make some viewers cringe.

In the room: Rapturous, diverse, and youthful Austin audience that embraced roasting and boundary-pushing jokes without outrage.

Summed up from reviews, articles and listings. Sources: imdb.com, broadwayworld.com, letterboxd.com, thefp.com, hollywoodintoto.com, competitivecomedy.com, rottentomatoes.com, en.wikipedia.org.

Backstory

Schulz bought back the special from an unnamed streaming platform after refusing their requests to edit out controversial jokes, opting to release it independently via Moment House and later YouTube.

Details

Released
Taped
2021, The Paramount Theatre, Austin
Runtime
57 min
Where
YouTube
Director
Mark Gagnon, Alexx Media
Topics
Before
Schulz Saves America (2020)
After
Life (2025)

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