John Mulaney has always been a sharply funny comic and his latest series was a just completed on Netflix. It was a live talk show and he starts each of the 6 episodes looking sharp, as he delivers the inevitable monologue. Each show has a theme around familiar LA topics like palm trees and earthquakes. After some interaction with his manic announcer, Richard Kind, he introduces a variety of guests, many of whom are comics in town for the streamer’s Netflix Is A Joke Festival. The lineup includes Letterman, Stewart and Seinfeld. There are random call-ins and sketches that are sometimes clever and other times just weird. I especially loved the nepo babies and the reunion of 70’s punk musicians (who also played). Strange guest bits included Will Ferrell and Andy Samberg playing “characters.” In keeping with the format, there are musical performers like Beck, Los Lobos and Warren G. Oh yes, the Saymo delivery cart robot rolls thru randomly. If all of this sounds arbitrary and chaotic…it is, but it’s more often humorous than dumb. Mulaney’s charm roots the show and his split-second timing keeps it lively. His willingness to try new stuff doesn’t always land, but he’s more innovative and fun than most talk show hosts. His latest endeavor is a delightfully eccentric escapade. NOTE: That isn’t really Bob Dylan calling in, but the voice of SNL cast member James Austin Johnson. 
(4 / 5)
