I’ll just begin by saying . . . I’m not a big fan of most stand-up comedians. I find them . . . not all that funny, usually. To me, they tend to be overly crude and too loud, with gratuitous emphasis on sex and bodily functions.
So it’s really kind of ironic that today, I’m going to implore you to . . . watch a stand-up comedian on Netflix!
Recently, when Tom and I didn’t know what to watch on TV, we saw a little trailer on Netflix for Mike Birbiglia, a stand-up comedian neither of us had ever heard of. We decided to watch. I picked up my knitting (because . . . I can knit through anything). And Tom hit “play.”
Mike Birbiglia . . . is not your typical comedian. Oh, he’s very, very funny, for sure. But, really, he’s a brilliant storyteller . . . who also happens to be a comedian. There’s a huge difference in the quality of the performance when the storytelling comes first, and the comedy second. Yes. He swears now and then. Yes. There are bits about sex and bodily functions here and there. But . . . he’s soft spoken. His cadence is that of a storyteller. He doesn’t harm others with his jokes. He talks about life . . . in ways that make you think . . . while you’re laughing.
He’s a . . . poignant comic.
And he’s brilliant.
In fact, I put down my knitting and just . . . watched him. (Which is saying a lot.)
Here’s a little trailer (just over a minute) to give you the flavor of the show. . .
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So. The next time you can’t figure out what to watch on TV, give Mike Birbiglia’s The Old Man and the Pool a try. It will brighten up the darkest night.
5 stars!
Highly recommend!
“Humor is the affectionate communication of insight.”
–Leo Rosten
If you’re wondering what this “advent calendar” is all about, you can read my “intro” post here.
I am adding this to my queue on Netflix… thank you! (and I find that my best laughter moments happen when FaceTiming with my grandkids. They are funny… especially when they tell jokes in that delightful way kids tell jokes.)
Mike Birbiglia is one of my favorites and I think his other shows (My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend, Thank God for Jokes, What I Should Have Said Was Nothing, and The New One) are maybe even better. I’ve enjoyed them all multiple times!
This sounds like a great thing to watch over our Christmas break. Thank you!
Looking forward to watching this. Thanks! The comedy piece we’ve been sharing at our house is the George Washington sketch from Nate Bergatze’s SNL appearance – it’s on Youtube and has especially tickled the funny bone of the science-y among us.
Oh, that looks GREAT!! Thanks Kym!
I’m pretty sure my mother-in-law recommended this. She’s retired and watches TV all day, so I’m always a bit suspicious of her recommendations, but you I trust!
Thanks Kym!!!
Fun fact: Smith helped Mr. Birbiglia with some home remodeling (rentals) when he worked at HD. He met him a few times, but also took his calls and helped him over the phone (where ever his was on location). If possible, Mike liked to do the work himeself! Smith would always come home smiling after helping Mike.