STAND-UP TUESDAYS: John Mulaney

January 31st, 2012

Angie Frissore

Stand-Up Tuesdays is a weekly comedy spotlight written by the wonderfully talented Angie Frissore. Covering both known and unknown comics, Stand-up Tuesdays is your new source for all things funny.

This week, Angie puts a spotlight on John Mulaney! If you or your comedy troupe would like to be featured on Stand-Up Tuesdays, please email utgjames@gmail.com.

I’m not sure what it is about John Mulaney I adore most, but oh, how I do adore him.

The Saturday Night Live writer and comedian released his second full-length CD and Comedy Central Presents special, New in Town, just this week – and it’s one you do not want to miss. Despite being 30 years old, Mulaney acknowledges that he still looks the same as he did as a child – and with an almost totally clean set, his articulate brand of humor is both refreshing and hilarious.

Mulaney relies not only on his keen observations of the world around him, but also on a very healthy level of self-deprecation that leaves no room for audience pity.

“Nothing I know can help you with your car, ever,” Mulaney states, “unless you’re like, ‘Hey, I got a flat tire, does anyone here know a lot about the Cosby Show?’”

One can clearly see the prep school in Mulaney (he is the son of two lawyers, after all), as his set is just as polished as appearance in his dapper grey suit. There are no impressions, no acting out noises or reactions – just very eloquent and well-timed jokes that can both surprise and endear audiences to him.

“I don’t drink,” Mulaney tells the audience, “which is not what you’re supposed to do when you’re Irish. I used to drink, but then I drank too much and had to stop. That surprises a lot of audiences because I don’t look like someone who used to do anything.”

Mulaney has been seen on SNL’s Weekend Update and has toured with some of the biggest names in comedy including Patton Oswalt and Mike Birbiglia, and there’s no doubt this is just the beginning for him. There’s no grandeur, no in-your-face attitude with Mulaney, which, coupled with his incredibly humorous material and near-perfect delivery makes him the comic to watch as he’s poised to take over the industry.

Bold words, I know – but Mulaney’s special pretty much speaks for itself. And while he may be a relatively clean comedian, Mulaney does throw a few curveballs at his audience, particularly when it comes to censorship.

”As you’ve probably seen by now you can basically say anything you want on television,” Mulaney quips. “It’s ridiculous. If you don’t believe me, you should watch a little program called Law & Order: SVU.”

I, for one, am delighted at the chance to see more from John Mulaney, and New in Town will certainly secure his rightful place in stand-up. Pick up your copy today on DVD or CD at Amazon.com!

Embed video: John Mulaney – Home Alone 2 (Comedy Central)