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Cover image credit: Thumbnail: YouTube · Sarah Tollemache Comedy

Butthole Money

Sarah Tollemache

YouTube · 2024 · 49 min

A pregnant comic questions modern digital fortunes in Queens.

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Sarah Tollemache walks on stage at Grove 34 in Astoria nine months pregnant, immediately grounding her dry style in a very visible physical reality. Rather than leaning on typical maternal sentimentality, she uses her condition as a direct contrast to her material, which circles around the baffling economics of modern side hustles and her own history of bad financial decisions.

The special, titled Butthole Money and released on YouTube in late 2024, is anchored by a bit that contrasts the grueling nature of traditional labor with the fortunes amassed by OnlyFans creators. Tollemache looks back on her own brief stint as a stripper, pointing out that she did actual physical labor in high heels while the modern generation makes millions from the comfort of their living rooms.

Directed by Patrick Holbert and executive produced by her husband, comedian Joe List, the set maintains a relaxed, club-honed rhythm. She spends a good portion of the hour on the domestic friction of her marriage, detailing how her own depression plays against her husband’s OCD, and finding dry humor in the small, irritating logistics of everyday life, from the design of sports bras to the quiet despair of shopping at a CVS.

The set list

4 bits

  1. Health care and Groupon

    Observing that 'Groupon is our health care provider.'

  2. Generational butthole wealth and OnlyFans

    Ruminating on showing your butthole for money on OnlyFans and generating 'generational butthole wealth'.

  3. Struggling to drop un-PC words from vocabulary

    Starts with an in-your-face premise, takes a quick pivot, and ends with a punchline in about a minute's time.

  4. The closer (spoiler). Show it

    Closing callback routine closer

    Closes the hour with an acclaimed callback routine.

How it plays

On stage
Characterized by nervous energy and delivery, with sharp wit and fearless humor.
Pace
Described as having nervous energy.
About
living with mental illness, showing your butthole for money on OnlyFans, fighting the patriarchy, pregnancy

What the critics said

Received positive notes as an 'extremely enjoyable' special featuring 'one of the best callbacks ever', though individual reviews noted moments of nervous energy and unformed bits.

Summed up from reviews, articles and listings. Sources: letterboxd.com, justthecast.com, moviefone.com, seancoopercomedian.com, podcasts.apple.com, weownthelaughs.com, tourcomedy.com.

Backstory

Filmed while Sarah Tollemache was 9 months pregnant.

Details

Released
Runtime
49 min
Where
YouTube
Director
Patrick Holbert
Honors
Sean Cooper's 2024 recommended comedy specials
Topics
Before
Voluptuous Boy (2020)
After
B*tth*le Money (2024)

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