Would It Kill You to Laugh? (2022) Poster

(2022 TV Special)

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6/10
Kinder, Gentler But Still Plenty Weird Berlant/Early Comedy Dance Off
ThurstonHunger3 January 2023
Watched this after "Cinnamon in the Wind" and it serves as an interesting contrast. The striving for spontaneity in "Cinnamon" is replaced with this more mapped-out series of skits.

The concept behind the skits is certainly clever, if you've seen the trailer. The skits move pretty quickly, with a couple of threads connecting them, a heavy book and Kate/John's answer to Apple Pay, i.e. "Do you take Hot Caramel here?"

I'm trying to remember where I first saw them, I think it was some cable comedy short-lived story, or maybe via "I Think You Should Go Now." Their comedy here is relatively gentle (well it is on Peacock) and there is the challenge of meta-comedy in taping a show that at its heart spoofs taped-shows.

I thought it worked just fine, and the two stars have more than a chemistry, some telepathy. Their tackling of the sexual double-standard was definitely funny in multiple ways, even if it leaves a funny taste in your soul. Arguably it should.

Some of Kate's mannerisms (especially in dude-with-a-soul-patch mode) I think indicate her promise in more theatrical roles, although like Miranda July her undying commitment to the absurd and beyond, may always keep her, and her pal Early, late to the party for success.

Time will tell, for now this is a nice slice of stale celebrity cheesecake. Try to make it at least to the dance class... Honestly this made me appreciate "Cinnamon" even more, but both shows are a cut different and above most comedy imho.
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6/10
A Chuckle-Worthy Reunion
natmavila14 September 2023
"Would it Kill You to Laugh (2022)" had me in stitches... well, maybe more like mild chuckles. Kate Berlant and John Early's on-screen reunion was a rollercoaster of exaggerated egos and absurdity. While I expected to laugh till I cried, I ended up chuckling till I sighed. The plot centered around their public falling out years ago had potential, but it felt like it got lost in its own hilarity, much like Berlant and Early's characters.

Don't get me wrong; there were moments when I genuinely LOLed, but they were scattered like confetti at a sparsely attended party. Berlant and Early's comedic chemistry was undeniable, and their over-the-top portrayals of themselves were, at times, a delightful cringe-fest. Yet, the film's pacing seemed to struggle with comedic timing, leaving me yearning for more consistent laughs. In the end, "Would it Kill You to Laugh" is worth a watch if you're a fan of the stars, but don't expect it to be the comedy masterpiece you might have hoped for. It's like a joke that's funny at first but then slowly fizzles out - amusing but not side-splitting.
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10/10
Worth every penny
solatesosoon25 June 2022
Just when the world seems to be careening off a cliff, deuxmoi scoops that Kate and John have reunited on Peacock after their devastating falling out years ago. I rushed to watch and spent the next hour lol'ing heartily, just like in the old days, when a glass of natural wine cost but $10. Just then, as the scent of hot caramel (or was it toast????) wafted through my living room, I felt a twinkle of something I hadn't since before my divorce. A sense of H O P E.

Kate and John, carry on!!!!
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1/10
Would it kill you to write something funny
seanrevoltah25 June 2022
These actors have been a part of several funny projects which set a high bar for me going in to my viewing. Everything falls flat and feels unfinished. This is disappointing.
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8/10
B+
ty-money25 June 2022
Better than expected. The structure and attempt to do this alone gets it a 7. Laughter with heart and characters that make you examine yourself gets it 1 more. The attention to detail .9. Loved it.
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2/10
I expected way more.
derrickcallahan30 June 2022
These two have been established their comedy credentials via other people's projects, but it seems they're not cut out for comedy on their own. It tries to be "I Think You Should Leave", but I didn't laugh at a single sketch- and I really wanted to like it. Disappointing.
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10/10
Exceptionally brilliant
oferdynes28 June 2022
Hilarious, highly-sophisticated genre-bending show in the mold of the British League of Gentlemen or Inside No.9. Ostensibly, the frame story is about a duo of actors of a an embarrassingly idiotic show which, after years of trying to destroy each other are reunited in a talk show, which provides them with the final opportunity to - well - destroy each other. Or perhaps to make amends. Or maybe something else is going on? There are enough clues to make you wonder what exactly are you watching, what's "real" and what the parody. What is the show and what is the show about the show. So yeah, amazingly witty and complex, and also goofy and slap-sticky. Brilliant.
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1/10
These actors need a better script
stacylduke12 July 2022
I think these 2 can both be funny, but this program was awful. I only made it for 40 minutes. Forty minutes of thinking, ok, surely this will get better. It didn't. A complete waste of time.
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10/10
LOVE John Early!!
famucab3 July 2022
John Early is one of the most underrated comedians of our generation. Loved watching him back in action. Truly happy he and Kate Berlant finally got their own show. So well deserved and long overdue!
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1/10
This is like terrible WB sitcom
MovieCriticOnline27 June 2022
You know all the really cringe sitcoms that came and went. Apparently they decided it was a good idea to turn one of them into a feature film. This was just painful to watch.

I guess the main problem is the main characters aren't funny, but they think they are, which makes it worse.

I think there is an underlying issue with comedies today v. Pre-2015. Too much political correctness, so writers, producers, directors and actors hold back in fear of offending someone, anyone, everywhere. But if that is how you operate you are not going to be free to create since you are under self-imposing restraints.

I have never heard of these actors and I think I know why. It was just a bunch of blabbering without any point to it. It didn't help that the scenes went on and on and on.

Big NO from me.
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8/10
Titans
Anseldog28 June 2022
These two are absolutely hilarious together. A fair amount of the sketches fall flat and the reoccurring joke of hot plates and melted caramel didn't hit for me, but the interludes of Meredith viera interviewing them is pure comedy gold. I was laughing so hard I nearly chocked. Watching them discuss who got to keep certain comedic mannerisms was brilliant. I recommend if you're already a fan but if you're not on their comedic wavelengths you're gonna have a hard time clicking into this one.
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1/10
I'm sorry but what did I just watch??
kennywaxman27 June 2022
I have no clue what I just watched. Was it supposed to be funny, because I didn't laugh one single time. It was just a hot mess. What was with the TV interview and cutting to real life events? That has worked in some movies, but it wasn't the primary story, like here.

Someone PLEASE make a good movie.

SKIP IT!!
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2/10
What??? Is this what comedy has come to?
cscott233125 June 2022
I gave 2 stars for 2 kinda descent skits. The dance class and the foot rub. Sadly neither of those made me laugh, they just weren't excruciating to watch. I guess I just don't get comedy these days, because this sucked. Hate it too because I thought these two would make me laugh.
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1/10
This "comedy" gives me no reason to laugh
apoarenas24 July 2023
The title is quite appropriate. No, it wouldn't kill me to laugh but please, give me a reason to laugh. Five minutes into the show, I thought of turning it off because there wasn't anything funny to laugh at. But I gave it a chance and kept watching. After 30 minutes of watching unfunny and annoying actors who do not know how to act, I decided not to waste any more of my time and turned it off. The one good thing is that I got the name of the actors, Kate Berlant and John Early. I will make it a point to not to watch any of the shows either one is in. I don't want to waste my time on them ever again.
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