Vintage J

John Mulaney’s latest stand-up special tackles his struggles with addiction, but also shows off his signature comedic charm.

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John Mulaney at the Boston Symphony Hall in 'Baby J.' (Picture via Marcus Russell Price/Netflix)

The past few years have delivered a particular type of stand-up special, in which comedians—following a very personal, high-profile media controversy—use the mic to delve into their feelings. Call it the Drake-ification of comedy.

Aziz Ansari opened up about the fallout of his sexual misconduct allegations in his 2019 special. Earlier this year, Chris Rock’s Selective Outrage gave us his first public response to Will Smith and the now-infamous slapgate at the 2022 Oscars.

John Mulaney’s Baby J, released on Netflix in late April, is the latest entry in this genre of confessional comedy for our very online age. And it’s one of the best. 

Leading up to 2020, Mulaney had any comedian’s dream resumé: a writing stint at Saturday Night Live; two Netflix specials; and an eccentric repertoire of stand-alone projects, from a Broadway show, to a spoof kids variety special, to (for my money) the best opening monologue at the Independent Spirit Awards.

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  1. Avatar photo
    Noci2012

    I found the show funny and sad and poignant.

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    CynthiaW

    "If a significant chunk of the audience expects some sort of tell-all as tribute for the attention they’ve given ..."

    ... then maybe you're not all that great an entertainer?

    People bought Jane Austen's novels without even knowing her name, let alone her personal angst, because the written work spoke for itself. And who is that Shakespeare person, anyway?

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    1. TallCon

      'Where Shakespeare Went Wrong', 'Some More of Shakespeare's Greatest Mistakes', and...

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  3. Pohl

    He can be funny, but I always cringe when people talk about their drug-using, booze-guzzling, fornicating days that they’re clearly more or less proud of or, at least, want the supposed cool factor the admission lends. Even TD writers do it (weed jokes give me street cred, right?). Everyone humblebrags. It’s still lame.

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    1. Whiskeyman

      I didn't think it came off that way at all when I watched it so I find it interesting to hear another perspective.

      If anything, I find the conversations regarding weed from the writers and most commenters to be extremely unfavorable to usage and bordering on Reefer Madness levels of nonsense. I haven't seen the humble bragging you speak of, only jokes dripping with condescension.

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      1. Pohl

        Maybe we’re reading different writers here. But one chief opiner tells the occasional stoner joke (not a capital offense), and another constantly tells inane dog stories (perhaps should be a capital offense) and is now infecting the first guy with his “stupid pet [scht]icks.” But I digress. (smile)

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    2. Aschlegel

      Agree 100%

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  4. Norcal

    There's nothing more cliche than a celebrity with a drug problem.

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    Njh2005

    One correction, he showed up at his intervention with “ a full baggie of 30mg Adderall, a full baggie of Xanax, three grams of cocaine, and $2,000 in cash” and at rehab with “a full baggie of 30mg Adderall, a full baggie of Xanax, TWO grams of cocaine, and $2,000 in cash.” He was busy during the ride.

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    1. Avatar photo
      Probably Wrong

      The roads have a lot of bumps

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  6. Zvikes

    I overall enjoyed it, but a lot of moments where I hope the audience was awkward laughing. Because "Haha! He attacked friends by questioning how much they actually cared about him during his intervention! Hilarious" is a slightly weird laugh line IMO. Also, and I get this is a comedy special and can't get too dark, but man, it really felt like something that would get people to try drugs more than anything else. Made it sound like a fun wacky adventure, and not something he's all that pleased is over. Something he seemed to realize as well given how uncomfortable he became noticing an 11-year-old kid in the audience.

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  7. Whiskeyman

    It was a very good special and the wife and I enjoyed it. Chris Rock's was good too-and we were in the audience which was a whole different level of enjoyment.

    I'm surprised you didn't mention another recent entry in this category, Rothaniel. It was highly regarded as are the other specials by Jerrod Carmichael.

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