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Promotional art for Don’t Be Yourself
Cover image credit: Promotional image via Prime Video

Don’t Be Yourself

Mark Normand

Comedy Central · 2017 · 45 min

A rapid-fire hour of awkward truths and retro joke-writing.

Mark Normand thrives on being the bearer of awkward, unsaid truths, adopting a retro, quick-fire delivery that masks his deep social anxiety. On stage, he treats the microphone as his license to ignore every polite boundary. While most people are told to “be themselves,” Normand argues that this is terrible advice for dates, job interviews, or general survival. His approach is built on a rapid cadence, twisting mundane social conventions into absurd logical conclusions.

Presented and executive produced by Amy Schumer, who introduces him on stage after a backstage pep talk mocking his forgettable looks, the special was recorded at the Angel Orensanz Center on New York’s Lower East Side. Normand was still a rising face in the New York club scene in 2017, and this hour captures him transitioning from a high-tier opening act to a self-assured headliner.

The set is packed with tightly constructed, classic-style joke setups. He examines the linguistic quirk of the phrase “riddled with” never applying to positive things, proposes hiring professional relationship “buffers” modeled after dog walkers, and addresses the terror of being an introvert who desperately craves public approval. Normand steers clear of long narrative arcs, choosing instead to focus on a relentless barrage of punchlines.

The set list

5 bits

  1. The terrible advice of 'being yourself'

    Argues that people's true selves are unpalatable and that society pays top dollar for phoniness rather than authenticity.

  2. Hiring professional relationship handlers like dog walkers

    Proposes hiring third parties to handle difficult or unpleasant relationship interactions.

  3. Effective parental punishment

    Suggests that forcing a child to watch their parents have sex would be the most effective punishment.

  4. The linguistic usage of the phrase 'riddled with'

    Analyzes how the phrase 'riddled with' is exclusively applied to negative situations rather than positive ones.

  5. The evolution of rock and roll into Christian rock

    Examines the curious transformation of rock music into Christian rock.

How it plays

Tone
Self-deprecating, neurotic, observational, thought-provoking, and slightly off-kilter.
On stage
An admitted introvert with self-described lack of social tact, social anxiety, and a 'weird brain' who feels uncomfortable in everyday life but fully at ease on stage.
Pace
Rapid-fire 'rat-a-tat-tat' pacing, economical word choice, sharp delivery that staccatos through punchlines and tags, accompanied by a classic comedic cadence.
About
introversion and social awkwardness, social anxiety, dating and relationships, modern manliness and gender roles, political correctness, religion and Christian rock

What the critics said

Praised for Normand's deft delivery, sharp comedic timing, economy of words, and ability to turn introversion and social discomfort into rapid-fire punchlines.

Summed up from reviews, articles and listings. Sources: thetvdb.com, vulture.com, theinterrobang.com, whatsafterthemovie.com, thecomicscomic.com, alisonrosen.com.

Backstory

Produced by longtime touring partner Amy Schumer after Normand pitched the hour to Showtime, HBO, and Comedy Central; taped at the Angel Orensanz Center on New York's Lower East Side.

Details

Released
Taped
Angel Orensanz Center, New York
Runtime
45 min
Where
Comedy Central
Director
Marcus Raboy
Honors
Vulture's Can't Miss Specials of 2017
Topics
After
Out to Lunch (2020)

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