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Thank God for Jokes

Mike Birbiglia

Netflix · 2017 · 70 min

A storytelling show about the volatile nature of jokes.

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Instead of trying to connect a series of autobiographical threads into a singular, sentimental narrative, this performance takes a meta approach to stand-up itself. Mike Birbiglia spends much of the hour explaining why jokes exist, why they are volatile, and why they occasionally get the person telling them into serious trouble. Rather than trying to avoid offense, he addresses the friction of performing comedy in public spaces, examining how different audiences react when they are the ones being joked about.\n\nFilmed at the Harvey Theater at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in November 2016, the special caught Birbiglia at a high point in his career as a theatrical storyteller, coming off his second feature film, “Don’t Think Twice”. The material moves through a sequence of self-inflicted public disasters: getting arrested in New Jersey, trying to explain why he called Jesus a “Jewish socialist” to a hostile crowd at a Christian college, and swearing on stage during an appearance with the Muppets.\n\nThe centerpiece of the show is his recounting of the 2012 Gotham Awards, which he hosted. Birbiglia details the fallout of telling a joke about director David O. Russell’s infamous, leaked onset screaming match with Lily Tomlin, right in front of Russell himself. It serves as the ultimate proof of his central thesis: that jokes have to be about something real, even if that something decides to confront you in the lobby afterward.

The set list

7 bits

  1. Late people versus on-time people

    Argues that on-time people genuinely hate late people, pointing out how easy it is to be early and equating rebranding lateness to saying one is 'stylishly racist'.

  2. Hosting the 2012 Gotham Independent Film Awards

    Recounts making an ill-fated joke directly to honoree David O. Russell by quoting the director's notorious profane set meltdown, prompting Russell to storm out.

  3. Performing at a Christian college

    Delivers an imitation of Jesus Christ characterized as a Jewish socialist sounding like Woody Allen and Bernie Sanders, which falls flat with the audience.

  4. Performing onstage with the Muppets

    Details how following Fozzie Bear led to an onstage mistake where he accidentally blurted the F-word in front of kids and parents and fled the stage.

  5. Being arrested at age 22 for driving with a suspended license

    Discusses youthful misdemeanors, the difficulty of scratching an itch while handcuffed, and converses with audience members about their own arrest stories.

  6. Meeting President Barack Obama while wife is nine months pregnant

    Describes receiving detailed parenting advice from Obama on a reception line, ending with his wife telling the president, 'If you think of anything else, text us.'

  7. The closer (spoiler). Show it

    Reviewing the hour from the viewpoint of an offended audience member closer

    Examines all jokes told throughout the hour through the critical lens of someone offended by them.

How it plays

Tone
Warm, lighthearted, witty, self-effacing, deceptively loose yet tightly scripted.
On stage
Rumpled, appealing, deadpan, self-deprecating pushover; confident yet humble and affable.
Pace
Conversational, loose, understated timing, ambles around the stage with an easy-going demeanor.
About
The nature and mechanics of joke-telling, Offensiveness and the risks of humor, Being late vs. being on time, Embarrassing personal and professional mishaps, Marriage and domestic life

What the critics said

Universally praised for its assured comedic craftsmanship, balance of intimate personal storytelling with rapid joke density, and thoughtful exploration of the role of comedy.

In the room: Warm, highly engaged, and receptive to conversational interaction and inside storytelling.

Summed up from reviews, articles and listings. Sources: decider.com, rottentomatoes.com, hollywoodreporter.com, vulture.com, newyorker.com, pro.imdb.com, jaxmedia.com.

Backstory

Filmed the weekend before the 2016 US presidential election; reflects upon the perils, boundaries, and cultural tensions surrounding comedy and joke-telling.

Details

Released
Taped
2016, Brooklyn Academy of Music
Runtime
70 min
Where
Netflix
Director
Seth Barrish, Mike Birbiglia
Honors
100% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes
Topics
Before
My Girlfriend's Boyfriend (2013)
After
The New One (2019)

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