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Comedy Central Presents

Dan Naturman

Comedy Central · 2005 · 21 min

A half-hour of nasal New York grouchiness and modern anxieties.

Dan Naturman steps onto the stage as a self-deprecating curmudgeon with a distinct New York whine. He builds his set around everyday anxieties and specific grievances. His breakdown of why flying JetBlue is the most practical way to avoid a hijacking highlights a comic who uses pure crankiness as a weapon. He applies that same frustrated logic to the extremity of Maryland speed traps, the miseries of dating, and the reality of hating your job.

Filmed at the Hudson Theatre in New York City, this 22-minute set premiered in April 2005. Naturman was coming off a highly publicized stint on the second season of Last Comic Standing. His early elimination the year prior famously sparked a protest from judges Drew Carey and Brett Butler, who felt he was the strongest act in the room. Riding the wave of that television controversy, Naturman uses this appearance to validate their support with his straightforward, pessimistic style.

The set list

6 bits
  1. Avoiding hijacking by flying JetBlue

    Naturman argues that flying JetBlue is the best way to avoid getting hijacked

  2. Maryland speed traps

    Explains why speed traps in Maryland are a bit extreme

  3. Recent weight loss and gym culture

    Riffs on his weight loss, the absurdity of gym culture, and bizarre behaviors of gym-goers

  4. Love of crossword puzzles

    Discusses the satisfaction of finishing difficult crosswords and using crossword clues to remember specific words

  5. Dating apps and relationships

    Pokes fun at the progression from dating apps to marriage

  6. Everyday retail and transit annoyances

    Details the perils of online shopping, trying on clothes in department stores, and subway rides to gigs

How it plays

Tone
Dry, deadpan, and self-deprecating
On stage
Dry wit, deadpan delivery, grouchiness, and self-deprecation
Pace
Impeccable delivery with perfect timing and precision
About
Gym culture and weight loss, Dating and relationships, Air travel and hijacking, Crossword puzzles, Work and everyday annoyances, Speed traps

Details

Released
Runtime
21 min
Where
Comedy Central
Topics
After
A Little Bit Bananas (2024)

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