This is the strongest anti-comedy show I have ever seen!
I did not expect to go through this kind of range of emotions.
What an incredible performance by Hannah Gadsby!
210 Reviews
What a surprise!
anmfriesen-9434619 June 2018
Wow, that was not what I was expecting
roughredemption19 June 2018
It starts off a stand up special but takes a turn for the serious. Hannah is a strong and powerful woman, weaving the through comedy, women's issues, lgbqti issues and modern art. Don't expect to laugh the whole way through but you will walk away feeling feelings.
fascinating blend of stand-up, Ted talk, art history lecture, comedy deconstruction, and diatribe
cherold6 July 2018
It's fascinating how almost everyone here gives this 1 star or 10 stars, but in a way it makes sense. This is billed as a comedy special, but it goes far afield of that, which means if you don't want to follow when she veers from comedy then you'll hate it (likewise if you don't find the comedy parts funny), but it also means if you admire things that break all the rules and try to find a new way to tell stories then you're likely to be thrilled. Although I can't help but suspect there's also an element of politics in which some people are rating one star because they're offended by who she is and other people giving it 10 stars because they love who she is, with neither of these groups actually considering how this works as a piece of theater. Which, from my point of view, is quite well but not perfectly.
For maybe half the show it's a very funny stand-up routine. I've never seen Gadsby before, but she's sharp and clever and genial and very good at what she does.
But she's also questioning what she does, and begins to explore the ways in which comedy, in going for the laugh, can hide or distort the truth. It's not funny, but it is fascinating, and the way she tells you the story as joke in the first half then revisits the full truth of it in the second is rather amazing.
But she goes beyond both comedy and deconstructing comedy. She gets into the experience of being the "other," she gets into her considerable anger, and then explains why she doesn't really want to just appeal to anger, and she makes some fascinating points about art and the way we mythologize artists.
At times I thought it was a little slow. At times the seriousness wore on me. But it's brilliantly structured and she's an incredibly smart and insightful woman. And she can be both very funny and searingly, powerfully emotional.
In the special she says she's considering giving up stand-up. If she does, I'll be very eager to see what she replaces it with. She has a lot to say.
This is well worth seeing, but if you just want to see someone telling jokes for an hour, you might want to skip this. Cause it sure ain't that!
For maybe half the show it's a very funny stand-up routine. I've never seen Gadsby before, but she's sharp and clever and genial and very good at what she does.
But she's also questioning what she does, and begins to explore the ways in which comedy, in going for the laugh, can hide or distort the truth. It's not funny, but it is fascinating, and the way she tells you the story as joke in the first half then revisits the full truth of it in the second is rather amazing.
But she goes beyond both comedy and deconstructing comedy. She gets into the experience of being the "other," she gets into her considerable anger, and then explains why she doesn't really want to just appeal to anger, and she makes some fascinating points about art and the way we mythologize artists.
At times I thought it was a little slow. At times the seriousness wore on me. But it's brilliantly structured and she's an incredibly smart and insightful woman. And she can be both very funny and searingly, powerfully emotional.
In the special she says she's considering giving up stand-up. If she does, I'll be very eager to see what she replaces it with. She has a lot to say.
This is well worth seeing, but if you just want to see someone telling jokes for an hour, you might want to skip this. Cause it sure ain't that!
This is the best thing I've seen, possibly ever.
hannamcdeavitt20 June 2018
I expected to laugh and I did, very much. I didn't expect to be so moved. This Story is important. I am so grateful that she had the strength to say everything that she did. I really needed to hear it and I think the world does too.
Connected
rafaelapintora24 June 2018
I had never heard of Hannah Gadsby before so this was a pretty random choice. A happy choice.
I'll give you some context: I have a fairly busy life, with two children under five, a job and a half, a boyfriend and a divorce in progress. I had not had a night alone in a long time, and, let me tell you: I was excited about MY time alone in MY house. Hannah was the perfect date for the occasion.
I also identify with "tired". Other than that I am an heterosexual white woman in her prime. This should be irrelevant but reading the other comments seems necessary to mention, because NO, this content does not appeal only to a particular community as some want you to believe. I am a woman, but the male attention I received throughout life, being heterosexual, feminine, said attractive, was quite different from Hannah's experience. One experience does not invalidate the other.
This content is about connection and Hannah makes us feel connected.
There is a less colorful community in which Hannah and I are together. I'm also a funny person, and I've been using humor all my life to deal with my frailties. It's something that has been in my mind lately, the need to be vulnerable to create real connections, something I struggle to achieve, I'm still working on it sitting in my world protected with walls of jokes that I'm not yet ready to knock over. and so I bow before Hannah Gadsby because, wow, this was bold and brave and we, from this other community, needed it. Thank you Hannah.
I'll give you some context: I have a fairly busy life, with two children under five, a job and a half, a boyfriend and a divorce in progress. I had not had a night alone in a long time, and, let me tell you: I was excited about MY time alone in MY house. Hannah was the perfect date for the occasion.
I also identify with "tired". Other than that I am an heterosexual white woman in her prime. This should be irrelevant but reading the other comments seems necessary to mention, because NO, this content does not appeal only to a particular community as some want you to believe. I am a woman, but the male attention I received throughout life, being heterosexual, feminine, said attractive, was quite different from Hannah's experience. One experience does not invalidate the other.
This content is about connection and Hannah makes us feel connected.
There is a less colorful community in which Hannah and I are together. I'm also a funny person, and I've been using humor all my life to deal with my frailties. It's something that has been in my mind lately, the need to be vulnerable to create real connections, something I struggle to achieve, I'm still working on it sitting in my world protected with walls of jokes that I'm not yet ready to knock over. and so I bow before Hannah Gadsby because, wow, this was bold and brave and we, from this other community, needed it. Thank you Hannah.
I absolutely loved this!
daviddowdell23 June 2018
Comedian / Public Speaker, you have the best of both worlds with Hannah. Just be warned that you're not going to come out of this without something to think about. If you want to remain brain dead like some of those men she names in the show then you may want to watch something else instead. If you want to be enlightened, I highly recommend it! Thank you Hannah for telling your story and giving us the motivation to make tomorrow a better place.
Bill Hicks is dead, long live Hannah!!!!
iescottycg20 June 2018
The most intelligent, thought provoking, funny, angry, heart wrenching, truthful, historically political and important comedy program I have ever seen.
An amazing artists puts it all out there like it's never been put out there before. Truthful, angry and in your face and literally laying her soul bare. I have never seen anything more powerful. She made me laugh and cry.
Hannah could be the voice of political satire, or just an amazing political figure or anything else she chooses.
Thanks for not being self depreciating!!!!!!! You raised the bar of what comedy is allowed to be and what it can do!!!!!!!
An amazing artists puts it all out there like it's never been put out there before. Truthful, angry and in your face and literally laying her soul bare. I have never seen anything more powerful. She made me laugh and cry.
Hannah could be the voice of political satire, or just an amazing political figure or anything else she chooses.
Thanks for not being self depreciating!!!!!!! You raised the bar of what comedy is allowed to be and what it can do!!!!!!!
A story that needs to be heard
huntedbywolves21 June 2018
Unapologetic and strong. Hannah Gadsby is braking walls and opening discussion in ways very few people have ever been able to do. An absolute must watch. For any and everyone willing to have an open mind and embrace change. If you go away from This and feel the need to tell someone else to watch it. Then you understood the message and how our complacency to evil is damaging our humanity. A comic and serious masterpiece
Wonderful show. Not comedy.
mantoothw-4665918 July 2018
A wonderful show about comedy and about jokes. But it is not comedy and it is not jokes. And that's not an insult! It's a beautiful and moving performance but we should take it for what it is and appreciate that Ms Gadsby is doing her OWN, more difficult to categorize thing. Putting her in the same category as, I dunno, Ali Wong, is a disservice for them both.
Errrr ...
faxanadonts31 August 2020
Imagine you go to a restaurant to eat out and instead of bringing you food the waitress comes out and tells you she was raped and hates men.
It's interesting but it's not really what you were looking for. This is not comedic stand up, it's a one person show. If it was marketed that way it would be fine. If you are going to see a one person show then you know you are in for watching a self involved person baring their pain and resulting skewed hate that they rebrand as moral philosophy, and you can mentally prepare for that, and it's interesting because it's people watching at its best. But if you're expecting comedy and you get this, it's a bummer and annoying. So my review is it's a bummer and annoying.
Worth a watch - from a straight, white, male
allstarrunner9 July 2018
Before you auto approve or disapprove my review simply because you see I am a straight, white, male at least read the whole review - and then you can vote on my review.
I came across this because a friend of mine posted about it on Facebook and I felt I should give it a watch, whether I found it funny or not, just so I could give an honest opinion about it if it comes up in conversation within my friend group or church group.
I will start off by saying if you're only interested in this as something to entertain you from a comedy perspective, then depending on what you are (lesbian, straight white male, etc) will highly determine if you get comedic entertainment out of it. I, as a SWM, was clearly not the target demographic (or in some ways I WAS the TARGET demographic!).
She tells her story with thoughtfulness and emotion and I think she raises many great points and many things that can and should be discussed - whether you agree with her overall conclusions or not.
It is definitely not an easy going, just sit back, pop some popcorn and enjoy sort of viewing for Friday night. I love Dave Chappelle primarily because he has very thought provoking sets that really cause us to think and challenge our perspectives, and that is personally my favorite type of comedy and Hannah definitely accomplishes that here as well - but it isn't always easy or fun to watch (from a pure comedy perspective).
Overall, I would say it is a great set simply because of all the discussions it can and will raise. I don't agree with all her conclusions and certain other things she says or insinuates but I don't really want to critique it too much either because the fact is I haven't walked 2 miles in her shoes.
The bottom line is if you are wanting pure fun for the night, then this isn't the one, but if you're in a thought provoking mood, then give it a shot.
I came across this because a friend of mine posted about it on Facebook and I felt I should give it a watch, whether I found it funny or not, just so I could give an honest opinion about it if it comes up in conversation within my friend group or church group.
I will start off by saying if you're only interested in this as something to entertain you from a comedy perspective, then depending on what you are (lesbian, straight white male, etc) will highly determine if you get comedic entertainment out of it. I, as a SWM, was clearly not the target demographic (or in some ways I WAS the TARGET demographic!).
She tells her story with thoughtfulness and emotion and I think she raises many great points and many things that can and should be discussed - whether you agree with her overall conclusions or not.
It is definitely not an easy going, just sit back, pop some popcorn and enjoy sort of viewing for Friday night. I love Dave Chappelle primarily because he has very thought provoking sets that really cause us to think and challenge our perspectives, and that is personally my favorite type of comedy and Hannah definitely accomplishes that here as well - but it isn't always easy or fun to watch (from a pure comedy perspective).
Overall, I would say it is a great set simply because of all the discussions it can and will raise. I don't agree with all her conclusions and certain other things she says or insinuates but I don't really want to critique it too much either because the fact is I haven't walked 2 miles in her shoes.
The bottom line is if you are wanting pure fun for the night, then this isn't the one, but if you're in a thought provoking mood, then give it a shot.
Eloquent, brilliant, sharp, vulnerable
waxyfishy24 June 2018
Wrong Section
dougmacdonaldburr13 July 2018
I'm going to try and be fair. I disagree with her left wing sjw political opinions. We see the world differently, and that is okay. I do have to call out her sexism towards men though. There are times where she makes some negative generalisations about men. I can understand why given her life experiences, but it is by definition sexism, and I feel obligated to point it out.
For the most part she at least tried to work jokes into what she was saying. Towards the end there were some parts where she completely abandoned telling any jokes, and instead gave deeply emotional speeches about her own personal tragedies. I had mixed feelings about this. I was able to relate to a lot of what she was saying. I think anyone who is damaged and has been an outsider will relate. It took courage to open up like she did. That being said, as soon as you abandon telling jokes like that, it stops being stand up comedy. Richard Pryor was able to open up about his personal tragedies, but he could also make the stories hilarious. Towards the end she just gave up completely on making jokes. I think she is brave for opening up, and she is clearly capable of writing jokes, but I can't give this higher than a 7 because at times it is more like a one woman show than stand up comedy. I don't mind if she wants to make a serious show about her life, but then it shouldn't be in the comedy section. That is probably why she says she wants to quit comedy. If she is not happy as a comedian and she wants to quit, I understand. She seems like a nice person, and she has had a very tragic life. I really do wish her luck in finding happiness.
For the most part she at least tried to work jokes into what she was saying. Towards the end there were some parts where she completely abandoned telling any jokes, and instead gave deeply emotional speeches about her own personal tragedies. I had mixed feelings about this. I was able to relate to a lot of what she was saying. I think anyone who is damaged and has been an outsider will relate. It took courage to open up like she did. That being said, as soon as you abandon telling jokes like that, it stops being stand up comedy. Richard Pryor was able to open up about his personal tragedies, but he could also make the stories hilarious. Towards the end she just gave up completely on making jokes. I think she is brave for opening up, and she is clearly capable of writing jokes, but I can't give this higher than a 7 because at times it is more like a one woman show than stand up comedy. I don't mind if she wants to make a serious show about her life, but then it shouldn't be in the comedy section. That is probably why she says she wants to quit comedy. If she is not happy as a comedian and she wants to quit, I understand. She seems like a nice person, and she has had a very tragic life. I really do wish her luck in finding happiness.
It could be a prank
amdarmy14 June 2022
Not interesting, not clever, and certainly not funny. I'm not sure if she's pranking the audience or if someone is pranking her by telling her she's funny then letting her go embarrass herself. It's bizarre to watch.
Incredibly moving, and as promised, not just a comedy.
natashapeterson28 June 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed this powerful performance. If you take a few seconds to watch the trailer ahead of the special, you can feel a shift in the sense of the program, letting you know that you're in for an emotional ride. Many reviewers who have given this title poor ratings mention that she goes off on rants or hates men, but if you watch beginning to end the overall attitude is one of one of recognizing humanity. The "man-hating" attitude is portrayed as a theatre glimpse into the lives of minorities, where an entire society is wired to view you differently.
Even if you hated this show, it should've at least convinced you to speak to the women (or anyone else that isn't a straight white male) in your life about the incredible adverse advantage you may not even realize you have in your daily existence. THIS IS IMPORTANT.
Even if you hated this show, it should've at least convinced you to speak to the women (or anyone else that isn't a straight white male) in your life about the incredible adverse advantage you may not even realize you have in your daily existence. THIS IS IMPORTANT.
Amazing
tildabarkselius28 August 2018
You start off by laughing until you have tears in your eyes, and you end up crying because she knows exactly how you feel and she put those feelings down on paper and out as words. I thought it was going to be a stand-up like any other but she made my world a little brighter.
Powerful, funny, sobering.
carrinholmes7622 June 2018
Brilliant and Moving
bobjpomeroy8 October 2018
I am now officially in love with Hannah Gadsby!
vanhuizum-786-38494129 June 2018
Didn't know what to expect... just another funny comedy to bring on some laughter... this was so much more than that! One of the most heartfelt shows I have EVER seen with such honesty and integrity. Do yourself a favor and watch this, you will be moved in so many ways. Love you Hannah!
Facts about unicorns
HoTell8 September 2018
This show is absolutely horrible. It's full of very stupid statements, sexist remarks, over-generalisations, jokes without puns. It's not a comedy, but it's also not a good talk about any topic. It's a rant and a bad one. It's a disservice to all homosexuals, feminists and thinking humans.
And dear Sir/Madam Gadsby here is a fact about unicorns: they don't exist. Could you please look up intentional inexistence in any dictionary of philosophy and start from there?
And dear Sir/Madam Gadsby here is a fact about unicorns: they don't exist. Could you please look up intentional inexistence in any dictionary of philosophy and start from there?
Eclectic Yet Uneven
mekjd29 August 2018
For one who has vowed that she must quit comedy, Gadsby does not seem diminished in her desire to convey her real life through real stories rather than jokes. She is admirable in her determination to avoid giving undue deference to others through self-deprecating wit. Her presentation is amusing, full of tidbits of art history one might not have known, and at times quite raw. While it is good to be shaken up by performers at times, in this case one senses that the artist attempted to compress too much into one presentation, lest this in fact be the last of her performances.
I look forward to hearing more from Gadsby, whether comic or not.
I look forward to hearing more from Gadsby, whether comic or not.
Acknowledge the Necessity of Connection
cynthiadamon-1573124 June 2018
This is one of the best shows I've ever seen! I didn't know of Hannah until now, but I certainly hope she doesn't shrink from having a public voice. What a strong and important message she tells in a very entertaining and thought provoking way. I loved it, respect it, validate it, and promote it! Do yourself a favor and watch this show! Then tell all your friends!
Is it a stand up routine or someones therapy session?
glencoe-962379 July 2022
I am confused, am i watching stand up comedy OR am i being a fly on the wall during someones intense therapy session?
I asked fans of Gadsby why they think this comedy is brilliant and not one single person could give me a concise or simple answer. Most used hyperbolic language describing her brilliance.
This is not a comedy, rather a fly on the wall experience about someone having a therapy session due to massive trauma.
And it should be categorized as such.
I asked fans of Gadsby why they think this comedy is brilliant and not one single person could give me a concise or simple answer. Most used hyperbolic language describing her brilliance.
This is not a comedy, rather a fly on the wall experience about someone having a therapy session due to massive trauma.
And it should be categorized as such.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
