Hell
YouTube · 2023 · 69 min
Comedian Chris Fleming is coming out with a brand new stand-up special on Peacock. The trailer gives you a pretty good glimpse of what you’re in for. What starts out as your traditional special quickly turns into something much, much different. In th…
The set list
-
Introductory walkout trope subversion
Plays on the cool comic entrance hero shot by tripping, chasing an autonomously flying mic, and ending up wedged inside the wooden stage stairs where crew consider putting him down like a horse.
-
Gerbil vs. Raspberries song
Performs an arhythmic musical number treating the equal $4.99 price of a single pet gerbil and a carton of Driscoll's raspberries as an everyday consumer dilemma.
-
Airline in-flight welcome videos
Critiques the disparity in acting abilities between airline CEOs and the flight attendants before descending into a demonic surreal realm.
-
Mystical allure of the Nissan Cube
Riffs on the drivers and unusual qualities of the Nissan Cube.
-
Physical comparison to a horse
Addresses his own bizarre physical presence by comparing himself to a horse, prancing across the stage, and turning an audience member's purse into a feedbag.
-
Childhood and family upbringing
Displays family photos and knit coffee-table gnomes to detail being interrogated by his aunt and getting 'witch-christened by a seaside coven.'
-
Song about hat-wearing parents
Sings about parents wearing hats who are unable to control their children or pets.
How it plays
- Tone
- Surreal, absurdist, sassy, and eccentric with dark, nihilistic undertones.
- On stage
- Absurdly limber, elastic-faced, and physically contorting persona described like 'Gumby in a British barrister's wig' and dressed like 'the woman who judges the parade'.
- Pace
- Lightning-fast, stream-of-consciousness momentum driven by flailing acrobatics, prancing, and off-the-cuff energy.
- About
- Irish Catholic culture, Therapy, Performance anxiety, Suburban New England upbringing, Insecurity and self-doubt, Absurdities of everyday commerce and consumer culture
What the critics said
Critical consensus was broadly positive, praising Fleming's wildly original physical commitment, surreal voice, and off-the-cuff brilliance, though some critics felt pre-taped sketches and an extended crowd-work moment disrupted the stage momentum.
In the room: Small theater dynamic with deliberate grunginess and dark lighting, with the crowd taken along on a disorienting, trusted comedic tour.
Backstory
Follow-up to his 2018 stand-up special 'Showpig', drawing heavily from his suburban Massachusetts Irish Catholic upbringing and exploring performance anxiety in the entertainment industry.
Details
- Released
- Taped
- Dynasty Typewriter, Los Angeles
- Runtime
- 69 min
- Where
- YouTube
- Director
- Cat Solen
- After
- Live at the Palace (2026)