Essentially a contemporary version of those 70s Xmas variety specials headed by a singer or comic. I'm not really sure who this show is for, but it was pleasant and at times genuinely funny. David Byrne's duet with one of the kids was a highlight, and Andre De Shields' number was a treat as well, and hit the mark comedically. I watched it with my kids, 13 and 15, both fans of Mulaney. I'm a late Dad, so the style references were very much aimed at my age range... I remember the shows Mulaney is gently mocking quite well. My kids got the joke(s), but i think got a bit weary of it about half way through. My 13 year old said when it was over, "I think it would have been funnier if it was just John Mulaney." Well, yeah. I appreciated the gentle tone and the little surprises... your mileage may vary.
57 Reviews
Bizarre yet Sweet.
Tuesday8830 December 2019
I'm just entirely too emotional these past few months, and while I'm not really a fan of kids in general, this was pretty dang cute. I wanted to shake the hand of all of those child actors. And I love John Mulaney's work, so it was a satisfying hour of "lol wat?!" :)
Too quirky for its own good
bdan352 January 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Fun and witty, the special has great music and performances from the kids, along with amusing cameos. But overall it feels made for adults and about half the sketches are so obscure you wonder who they are supposed to appeal to.
Funny and charming
cartsghammond24 December 2019
John Mulaney & the Sack Lunch Bunch is a children's musical special, which seams weird at first but after watching, I think they cooked up something magical. My first question when I heard about this was, what's the tone? Is it gonna be awkward balancing kids and adult humor, but all that was answered by the first song, which happens to be one of the catchiest things I've ever heard. It feels sweet, but also sarcastic. It would be easy to make a special like this as a sort of anti kids special. But I think with John Mulaney's seemingly boundless talent, they handled it perfectly. It's very very funny
Twisted nostalgia
bigspinky24 December 2019
Mulaney and the Sack Bunch Lunch holds up a mirror to our childhood nostalgia for:Sesame Street, Barney, the muppets, etc
It kind of twists that desire for childhood innocence a little bit, but not so much that children couldn't have fun with it. The honesty of the children is endlessly amusing, but the setup of the bits, and the irony that Mulaney's delivery and the writing sets the show up makes it more fun for adults than it could ever be for children.
It's cute. It's charming. It makes me question the motives of the people who made shows for my childhood, and I think that's beautiful.
It's cute. It's charming. It makes me question the motives of the people who made shows for my childhood, and I think that's beautiful.
Breaks new ground
brianjp-2612826 December 2019
This show did something very unique, and it executed it very well. There was a perfect blend of cute, satire, and pure comedy. It's pacing was well done, the acting was great, and it feels like the kids show that actually would be for the kids of today. The slightly cynical side of the show gives an interesting look into the youth of today, not in a condescending way, but in a way that inspires the possibility and beauty of the modern youth!
Sometimes funny but not for adults.
Aesafern13 January 2020
John Mulaney and his cast of children tackle topics experienced in childhood and questions one might of had. What makes this TV special interesting, is the thought process of the children. This makes for an amusing and sometimes funny watch. However, I didn't enjoy it as much as thought I would. John Mulaney's is one of the most intelligent and witty comedians around, maybe my expectations were too high, or maybe I couldn't relate (do I care if grandma or anyone got a boyfriend?).
It's a good show, it just wasn't for me.
Watch it, give it more than the first episode, and see what you think.
Random and cute
anna-joellestadman25 December 2019
I have no idea what I just watched but I thoroughly enjoyed it! Colourful, fast-paced and unique. The kids are all pretty good actors and the guest stars are fun too! If you want something completely different, try this!
Stay for the end
dolewinski3 January 2020
I'm a big fan of John Mulaney but this was pretty boring. There were a couple chuckles throughout and some of the kids were great but the whole special was bland . I give it an 7 because the ending musical number is by far the best part and makes the whole process worth it
Amazing
cellogrl-5462726 December 2019
Some might not like it
rachelandhercamera5 January 2020
This show is very different from his stand up shows. At first I didn't like it because it didn't make me laugh as much as his stand up. In the end I liked it. I found it entertaining and funny. It's very quirky, weird, and random. It seems to poke fun at old kid shows and I think it's enjoyable.
Dark, smart, weird
rumpusparable-125 December 2019
I turned it on and within minutes was watching it with a feeling of disbelief. One of those shows that surprises and delights because you keep thinking, "wtf?".
There is a lot of good, smart, witty content in this mixed with over the top pure wackiness.
There is a lot of good, smart, witty content in this mixed with over the top pure wackiness.
I'm a Big Mulaney Fan but this missed the mark
jpieczynski24 December 2019
I was very excited for this and watched right when it came out. This had so much potential but just didn't work. Almost all of the sketches/songs missed the mark and landed flat. There were glimmers of funny one liners... but overwhelmingly I would have turned this off if it wasn't John.
The very beginning of the special asks the question is this a ironic or not... and ironically I think this is where the problem lays. The biggest issue was that it lived too in-between being a real kids special and something ironic. It's for sure more on the ironic side of the spectrum but they needed to lean into it more as a joke and get more absurd. The concepts were good and the basis of most of the skits were well-developed but the delivery was way off mark and not funny. It's like watching a Comedy Central sketch show with good ideas but that didn't quite go as far or take as many chances as it needed to.
Ultimately I don't think I'll be watching again and am looking forward to other Mulaney projects that are better-developed.
The very beginning of the special asks the question is this a ironic or not... and ironically I think this is where the problem lays. The biggest issue was that it lived too in-between being a real kids special and something ironic. It's for sure more on the ironic side of the spectrum but they needed to lean into it more as a joke and get more absurd. The concepts were good and the basis of most of the skits were well-developed but the delivery was way off mark and not funny. It's like watching a Comedy Central sketch show with good ideas but that didn't quite go as far or take as many chances as it needed to.
Ultimately I don't think I'll be watching again and am looking forward to other Mulaney projects that are better-developed.
John Mullaney does kids shows from the 90's, but again.
viishrugged29 December 2019
It was very funny.
The kids seemed passionate and excited to be there.
While one or two songs didn't really hit the mark, I thoroughly enjoyed my time with this.
Please give John Mullaney more money to make things please
The kids seemed passionate and excited to be there.
While one or two songs didn't really hit the mark, I thoroughly enjoyed my time with this.
Please give John Mullaney more money to make things please
John Mulaney & the Sack Lunch Bunch (2019) - 6.3
Bonnell726 December 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Mix of skits, songs and real conversations with kids
Has its funny moments
Feels very 80's
Not everything is funny and works
Funny seeing John interact with the kids like they are adults
Jake Gyllenhaal arrival is hilarious and outrageous, awesome performance in last 15 minutes
Has its funny moments
Feels very 80's
Not everything is funny and works
Funny seeing John interact with the kids like they are adults
Jake Gyllenhaal arrival is hilarious and outrageous, awesome performance in last 15 minutes
Thoughtful and Odd
jenbynight27 December 2019
I adored this - if you are looking for his stand up, this isn't for you. It's not meant to be - it's a send up and homage to children's programming of the past. The kids are adorable and funny and actually pretty dark and deep, and that's part of what makes this work. It was truly thoughtful and occasionally existential, and I loved it.
The Comeback Kid never left us
danherboth30 December 2019
I loved this production in every way!!!
It hit every note perfectly.
If this doesn't speak to you on many levels, then what planet have you been living on?!?!?
I am no Broadway fan and I loved it.
I am an old white guy and I loved it.
I am sys and I loved it.
So smart, So funny, and the kids were so perfect without being cliches.
Congratulations to ALL involved!!!
Funny For Kids & Adults!
animedagger28 December 2019
If you like quirky humor this is a good one. It's John Mulaney's throwback answer to modern kids shows - but there is plenty of humor for adults! I watched it with my two kids and wife (who isn't a big Mulaney fan)...more on that in a minute.
No one is unbiased, but you shouldn't watch/review a film if you hate the writer/actor (as some reviewers have). I'll admit I find John Mulaney really funny. If you're not sure, pull up a quick YouTube video and try him out.
This film includes unscripted kids thoughts, scripted sketches, and mixes of the two. The genius of the film are the interspersed questions for kids about real fears and their unscripted answers. Each of the sketches are pretty good and had my 10-year-old daughter and 13-year-old son laughing out loud. My wife (the poor not-so-Mulaney-fan) even laughed and said she enjoyed it. IMO the strongest parts were at the beginning and end with a slight sag in the middle. Overall this is a great family film with quirky, random humor and meaningful conversations with our future entertainers. Enjoy!
Was really looking forward to it...
bailielouise25 December 2019
I was really looking forward to this, I love everything John Mulaney. However, this just felt bizarre. There were a lot of different points throughout the show where I was wondering "was that supposed to be funny?" Normally, Mulaney's humor is right up my alley (I love Big Mouth) but this just wasn't his best work, felt like a flop. Ignore the 1 star rating though, very few programs deserve a real 1 star.
A home run
cjdbean25 December 2019
I was skeptical going into this given the premise of the show.
All in all, it's a "what did I just watch?" kind of comedy special- full of laughs and sprinkled with a warm fuzzy feeling of love.
Kudos to John Mulaney and the kids for delivering an hour of politics-free jokes and insights that leave you with a smile and thinking about what your biggest fear is.... weird combo but it works!
Wow
Cocoabean9425 December 2019
Loved it
imdb-0256628 December 2019
Oddly dark but funny
minutolo28 December 2019
This special is great. Mulaney fits the format perfectly. The children, who are the main focal point of the special, sing really well. Celebrity cameos are phoned in but in a clever way. Highly recommend this musical endeavor.
Clever
james573126 December 2019
I've seen his stand-ups and found them very funny so I didn't know what to expect. the one thing I did really enjoy what's the fact that he was able to gather together such an eclectic group of kids and adults. The kids in particular were particularly talented I thought. If people didn't like this Netflix special I think they just didn't "get it".
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