Growth in a Quarter-Mid-Life Crisis - Best of 2022
Welcome once again to the Battle of Everything I Done Seen and Heard, 2022 edition! Below lies a stadium filled with the victors of their respective categories, and they're here for your enjoyment. You sickos. Are you not entertained!?
A lot happened this year. Things started shitty, then I finally started improv classes, had a minor surgery, went on an epic quest to save the world, began therapy, finally started a D&D campaign, and ended the year with a great group of friends that I didn't have at the beginning. But enough about me. With the world being in some sort of funky limbo, it seems like now's the time to take some risks and get weird with it. In music it's obvious by now that bands can be genre fluid and still successful, in fact, being just a Rock band or just a Pop group feels almost boring now. In film we have studios clamoring to give "that funny sketch comedy guy" a bigger budget to make yet another great thriller/dark comedy with a message. In TV they greenlit a project about a violent, fucked up character from a mildly successful movie, played by "that other wrestler-turned-actor," and it's one of the best of year.
So come on in, the water's strange! And I wouldn't have it any other way. We will begin of course, as always, with the legendary, immortal, timeless best of list - the playlist!
MUSIC
Oh man this year we got it all - devastating heartbreak, a <2min hardcdore punk song, some beautiful chamber-pop by a guy with 35 listeners, a spicy whirlwind mix of metalcore/jazz/hip-hop all in one song, and some classic upbeat bops and anthems to sing along with.
At 22 songs I thought it might be too long but I managed to contain it to my original 80min rule (the amount of time available on a CD). So open up those ears and crank your audio dispensers to 11, you've got some tunes to get lost in!
Best of 2022 Mix
1. “Pity Party (feat. Royal & the Serpent)” – Stand Atlantic
2. “SLAY! (feat. Hideyoshi)” – Paledusk
3. “Rag Doll (feat. K.Flay)” – poutyface
4. “Big Boy” – DURRY
5. “Blacked Out Birthday (feat. OBLVYN)” – Jacketless
6. “One Way Out of a Hole” – Cloud Cult
7. “Bad Friday” – Everything Everything
8. “fallback” – nightlife
9. “make me feel so… (feat. Dadi Freyr)” – Montaigne
10. “Predicament” – Adin Boyer
11. “I Can’t Drive” – Crawlers
12. “SLUT” – Pollyanna
13. “最低” – Sokoninaru
14. “Taxi for the Horde” – Mingle Harde
15. “So Unimportant (feat. Bon Iver)” – Ethan Gruska
16. “Grad School” – Ben Lapidus
17. “Coexist” – Wild Party
18. “Settling” – Ripe
19. “The Hardest Love” – Dean Lewis
20. “hate my favorite band” – Nightly
21. “Hot Mess” – Friday Pilots Club
22. “Euthanasia” – Will Wood
Youtube Playlist (some videos contain flashing lights)
Apple Music Playlist (thanks Morgan!)
If you don't use Spotify or Youtube feel free to copy it and make a playlist on your app of choice. Share the link to it and I'll put it here. Let's get to it and quickly go over some of these songs!
I usually start with my favorite song of the year and try to make the playlist flow from there, but there was a lot of competition this year, so I’ll just say those first 4 songs are at the top for me. Stand Atlantic has been killing it the past couple years, and Bonnie Fraser’s vocals alone should be enough to either get you pumped or help you scream out your troubles of the day. If you’re looking to get into the modern pop-punk scene I’d say start with them. Paledusk is one of the most interesting bands I’ve heard recently. Their main genre is metalcore, but as you’ll hear in “SLAY!” they can mix in some jazz and hip-hop and somehow make it work. I love it.
Cloud Cult has been around for 20yrs but I just discovered them in 2022. Their sound, and this song in particular, immediately give me indie-rock circa 2009 vibes and I’m here for it. Nightlife is a newer soul-pop/rock band and their first song made my list last year, so I was excited to see more from them this year. They have such a fresh sound, soul-pop vocals and synths mixed with thickly distorted guitars and chunky, funky basslines, it’s just so fun and groovy.
Crawlers and Pollyanna are two of the more recent bands to put their stamp on the resurgence of the 90s inspired alt/garage-rock genre. Crawlers takes their inspiration from bands like Garbage and The Cranberries, plotting out some slow-burning, earnest rock tunes and not being afraid to grab an acoustic guitar. While Pollyanna brings a younger, punk-like energy to their creations to help you jump and dance and punch your emotions out. They’re actually touring together this Spring, so I’ll be the old guy at the show rockin’ out and telling kids to wear their earplugs because tinnitus isn’t fun! Wild Party had huge success in 2014/2015 with their first album, and then seemed to drop off the face of the earth. Well they finally released a few singles the past 2yrs and are back with some indie-pop goodness, so get ready to bop your head and sing along in the car.
Singer-songwriter Dean Lewis really knows how to write about heartbreak, and on an album full of it (“The Hardest Love”) the title track takes the cake for me. A slow-building wave of a song, just close your eyes and let the pain of good memories wash over you for the next 4min. Will Wood has, generally, an eccentric sound, somewhere on the fringes of indie, vintage, pop, and theatrical. But for “Euthanasia” he keeps it pretty simple as he sings about one of his pet rats. I apologize for ending the mix on this song, but after listening to it you’ll realize why I couldn’t just throw it in the middle somewhere, as you’d most likely have to stop and take a break after it.
So that’s the mix! But I wanted to add a couple bonus songs that were a little different in some way. Either they didn’t quite fit into the rules I set for myself, or came along a bit too late to make it in. So check out these ends and oddities:
“Don't Lose Sight (acoustic)” – Lawrence – A sibling soul-pop duo with a full backing band, including a horn section, Lawrence is great fun. But here they take their 2021 hit and just use a few different keys/pianos and a backing chorus of singers. Still a fun and good time all around, but really shows off the raw power and talent of Gracie Lawrence’s vocals.
“Hi Ren” - Ren – With just an acoustic guitar, singer/songwriter/rapper Ren released this jaunty, bard-like, 7min epic tune at the end of the year. Taking on two personas during the song, Ren sings and rants about his mental health and impostor syndrome and everything he’s dealt with during his rise to being a successful artist.
“If Barbie Girl Was the Hardest Song in the World” – Charles Berthoud – Probably one of the best bassists in the world, Charles likes to have fun while making his Youtube videos. For this one he throws on a wig and gives us a ridiculous version of “Barbie Girl” with more slappin’ and tappin’ than you could imagine. Get ready for a funkalicious good time!
ALBUMS
Well it finally happened, I’m a product of modern times, only listening to a bunch of singles/individual songs. No album caught my ears enough to listen to the whole thing more than 2 or 3 times. I do admit I should probably give them more time to grow on me, but oh well, not this year I guess.
Obviously you should check out albums from any of the artists on my mix that you liked! However, I'd like to share some from artists that didn’t quite make my mix but I still feel deserve a mention.
“Little High Little Low” – The Royal Foundry – This Canadian indie-rock/indie-pop duo is well on their way to success, and I’m honestly surprised they’re not bigger. This album is full of radio ready hits with infectious choruses to sing along to. If you’re a fan of The Mowgli’s, Arkells, lovelytheband, e.t.c….. these guys are for you. Start with the title track (which is easy, because it’s the album opener!).
“Remember That You Will Die” – Polyphia – After blowing up with their 2018 smash hit “G.O.A.T.” Polyphia have taken their unique instrumental/prog-metal/trip-hop to genre defying heights. With features from DJs, rappers, a guitar legend, and an actress, this album is all over the place. Check out the super fun “ABC (feat. Sophia Black)” for a look into what this band could be with a pop singer (is this the future of pop music? prog-pop?), and give “Playing God” a listen to hear their classic instrumental sound but with a jazzy twist.
“Under the Shade of Green” – The Happy Fits – Heard their name a fair amount over the past few years and they do indeed deserve a little spotlight. A modern indie/rock band, they bring to mind a combination of some classic alternative bands like The Cars, but with a cello in the group also occasionally give glimpses of (late 2000s) Ra Ra Riot or Vampire Weekend inspired sounds. Pretty upbeat throughout, give “In the Lobby” a listen to start.
MOVIES
I don't think I saw any straight dramas this year. I'll have to work on that in 2023. But there are amazing movies in all genres released every year, too many for me to see in fact. From tiny indies, to big budget action, to adorably animated, to thrilling horrors, I love it all! There's still ~40 movies from 2022 that I want to see, but of the ones that I did, these are the ones that are going to be sticking with me!
Everything Everywhere All At Once
(Fubo/Showtime)
Is there anything I can say about this movie that hasn’t already been said? If you somehow haven’t heard anything about it, just watch it without reading anything, it’s that good. Trying to put it in a genre box you could say it’s something like The One meets The Matrix meets…..Lady Bird? I don’t know man. It’s a unique sci-fi/comedy/action with family drama and generational trauma. That’s the best I can do, but it’s more than that too. Can’t say much about the story without spoiling it. It starts in the present day where we follow Evelyn Wang as she tries to keep her family together while they prepare to host a Chinese New Year party at their family business, a laundromat…..which is also undergoing an IRS audit the same day. And that’s when the insane adventure begins.
Seriously, just watch it. Michelle Yeoh and Stephanie Hsu in the lead roles, Dan Kwan and Daniel Scheinert as the creators/writers/directors, and the crew as a whole deserve every accolade they’ve gotten and then some.
Bullet Train
(Netflix)
I’ve said it before and it still holds true – Brad Pitt should’ve done more comedies in his career. I can only hope he continues to do more in what is probably the last quarter of his life (yes, he’ll be 60 this year). This movie was so much fun, it’s probably the one I laughed out loud the most to, and the majority of films I saw were comedic-based. The premise – Pitt, some sort of agent who operates in the shady and secret sides of the world, is back on the job after a hiatus due to an on-the-job injury and some much needed therapy. He’s easing back into work with a new “let bygones be bygones” attitude and a simple contract – board a train, steal a briefcase, and get off the train. Well, turns out that’s going to be much easier said than done.
A rapid-fire and borderline slapstick comedy that stems from the stylish action, this is easily one of my Top 3 movies of the year. If you’re looking for a fun movie night then fire up the popcorn, hit the lights, and settle in to your favorite spot on the couch, you’ll enjoy this.
The Menu
(HBO)
I watched maybe 30sec of the trailer 6 months before I ended up seeing this film, and I’m glad I forgot pretty much everything about it. All I knew was Ralph Fiennes plays a world renowned chef, some people are visiting his exclusive restaurant, and it’s a thriller. And that’s all I’ll give you for a premise. Not sure if you’ve noticed, but I like to go into movies as blind as possible, so just trust me on this one.
Over the course of its 2hrs this film will make you tense and uneasy, while also making you laugh. Truly, there are some hilarious portions throughout this unsettling thriller. Afterwards you’ll probably want a cigarette and a good meal, so keep your equivalent of those on hand.
Nope
(Peacock)
Well, here I continue having to dance around spoilers, surprise surprise. Jordan Peele has done it once again, and I hope he never stops. We follow OJ Haywood, whose family has been training and providing horses for decades in the Hollywood film industry. After recently losing a loved one to a seemingly freak accident, OJ has started to notice weird things around his family’s ranch. With help from his charismatic but unreliable sister, and a heartbroken tech retail employee, OJ cautiously attempts to figure out the fascinating and chilling mystery.
An extremely well written, shot, and acted slow burn thriller, the mystery is only half the battle – figuring out what to do next is the real question. Whether you’re a fan of Peele’s other films or just enjoy a good thriller with moments of humor peppered throughout, you’re sure to love this. Say yup to nope (there, I said it).
Violent Night
(only available to Rent/Buy at time of writing)
An
instant Christmas classic! Played by the excellent David Harbour,
sick of humanity’s direction and being left anything but regular
milk and cookies to eat, Santa speaks
like a jaded war veteran on the verge of just giving it all up. On
what seems like may be his last Christmas Eve ever, he stumbles into
a deadly situation. Upon trying to run away, he notices a little girl
in trouble at the center of it all. Obligated to help by whatever
tiny speck of Christmas spirit is left inside him, Santa decides he’s
going to save that little girl, even if it’s the last thing he
does.
Calling upon Die Hard and other campy, classic action/comedy movies of yore, you’ll be laughing at the absurdity and “Ooooo”-ing at the pain Santa endures…..and causes. A bloody, fun ride from beginning to end, this one’s going towards the top of my watch list every Christmastime, and it should on yours too!
Quick Picks
Do Revenge (Netflix) - If enough of Gen-Z finds this movie it could very well be their “Mean Girls” or “Heathers.” Obviously inspired by its similar predecessors, when popular high schooler Drea has a falling out with her clique, she enlists the help of the new transfer student to enact a plan of revenge, but will they go too far? Get your fix of fun, fashion, and revenge right here.
Turning Red (Disney+) - Pixar does it again! Being 13 is tough for any girl, but for Mei Lee a generational curse makes it even weirder. A film about family and friends, accepting yourself and accepting others who forge their own path, Pixar achieves that mix of a fun, delightful, moving, emotional film that it’s so well known for.
Barbarian (HBO) - Written and Directed by Zach Cregger, of Whitest Kids U Know fame, this Horror/Thriller plays like a Sam Raimi film. Upon arriving late at her Airbnb rental and realizing there’s been a booking mishap, Tess discovers there’s secrets in this house that run deeper than you could possibly imagine. At once tense, humorous, and grotesque, I’d recommend this Airbnb-gone-wrong flick the next time you’re looking for a fun scare.
“Glass Onion,” “Death on the Nile,” and “See How They Run” (Netflix/HBO/HBO) - The modern day murder/mystery/comedy genre had a slow rise over the past ~12yrs, and then suddenly exploded into the mainstream with the crazy popular “Knives Out” in 2019. Well that popularity will stay for at least a few more years it seems, as there were no less than 3 films this year, packed with stars, riding that wave – 2 sequels, 1 new. We saw Daniel Craig and Kenneth Branagh return to their eccentric, acutely perceptive detective roles in “Glass Onion” and “Death on the Nile” (respectively), while Sam Rockwell took his crack at the classic archetype in “See How They Run.”
I always find these types of films to be a good time, as I feel they’re few and far between, so it seems like a bad one is rare. If you enjoyed the Sherlock BBC series, “Murder on the Orient Express,” or “Knives Out,” you’ll be liking these. And if you haven’t seen any, well give ‘em a go!
CAGE MATCH
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
(Starz)
Not much of a cage match this year because ol’ Nic made it easy for me once again by only releasing one film, and it was fun! In desperate need of money and considering retirement, Cage, who is playing a version of himself, accepts a million dollar offer to spend a couple days with someone and make an appearance at their birthday party. Mixed up with drama and action, this meta-comedy is an enjoyable ride for any fan of the man himself. If it’s been some time since you’ve given yourself the joy of watching a Nic Cage film, this is a great place to jump back on the train.
TV
Similar to film this year, I didn't see any regular dramas. Whenever I sat down to watch a show I think I always wanted a good time, and even though some of these shows had some serious moments (too real in The Bear's case), they provided that good time overall for me. So if that's what you're looking for then grab a seat and get ready to binge.....and judge my tastes. Enjoy!
Peacemaker
(HBO)
This show came out so early in the year that I completely forgot about it until I was tallying up the shows I’d seen. I understand a fair amount of people are rightfully sick of the superhero genre by now, especially the dark, violent, realism types, but if this didn’t have the DC label on it and was a completely new character/world it would still be an awesome Action/Comedy. At its core, Peacemaker is about a man struggling with his personal beliefs about the world and others, and his place in it…..while also being an anti-hero vigilante who, unlike his heroic counterparts, has no qualms using violence to get results and murdering those whom he believes deserve it. Oh, and it’s hilarious.
John Cena is at his best in this role, including the dramatic parts. And while the story and dialogue has James Gunn’s style shining brightly through (he’s the sole credited writer for all 8 episodes), after watching many bloopers/behind the scenes videos, I wouldn’t be surprised to find out half of the funny lines were improvised by Cena himself. So if you’re itching for things blowing up, some bloody action, absurd and witty dialogue, a healthy dose of sci-fi, and one of the best opening credits in recent memory, turn up the volume and grab your favorite snack, because Peacemaker’s got you covered.
(and it’s not required, but if you’d prefer a bit of backstory before watching I can easily describe anything you might need to know in probably just 3 sentences, so just let me know)
The Bear
(Hulu)
A small show that was maybe one of the biggest surprises of the year, thanks to the excellent writing, cast, and Jeremy Allen White’s fucking perfect performance. If you’ve ever worked in a kitchen before this show may open up some old, anxious wounds and flashbacks for you. Set in my favorite city, Chicago, the premise is simple – after years of studying/working at fancy, upscale restaurants, chef Carmy is called back home to run his recently deceased brother’s hole-in-the-wall joint. Throughout the series Carmy is focused on turning the rundown shop into something that actually makes a profit, isn’t a health hazard, and genuinely runs like a respectable kitchen, instead of one where everyone does the bare minimum and yells at each other. He does this while dealing with his own personal demons, learning to grieve his brother, and managing all the stubborn personalities working in his kitchen who aren’t exactly keen on following orders or trying new ideas from an "outsider."
Intense doesn’t even begin to describe this show. With an episode drowning in anxiety that is almost entirely one take, and another that intros with a moving 7min monologue, this journey isn’t for the faint of heart. Probably the most dramatic show I watched this year, although there’s enough levity to help you breathe here and there, a lightness shown through a camaraderie that can only be forged by weathering the same storms together. I cannot recommend this show enough. Give it a watch, then go find a great meal to eat, and tip your servers.
Abbott Elementary
(Hulu)
I was lucky enough to stumble upon one of the best new mockumentary shows early in 2022 when the first season was wrapping up. Created by and starring Quinta Brunson, we follow her character Janine, a teacher at an inner city school in Philadelphia who’s still a bit green, but really just wants to help all the kids at her school as much as she can. Even though the more experienced teachers laugh at some of her ambitious ideas, the facilities are rundown, the principal is more interested in having fun than working, the school’s budget is tight, and her aspiring rapper boyfriend isn’t exactly keeping up his end of the relationship, Janine might just be able to inspire everyone to help her win some of the neverending battles in the education system, all for the benefit of the students.
Brunson is somehow able to tackle important issues, and be funny and heartfelt, all while keeping it clean enough for primetime TV. If you’re a fan of workplace mockumentaries like The Office or Parks and Rec, I’d be shocked if you weren’t already watching this, because it’s great.
Welcome to Flatch
(Hulu)
This one flew under the radar a bit, but if you can’t get enough of mockumentaries, well, you’ve struck gold my friend. Here we follow Kelly and Shrub, two cousins in their 20s, living life in their fictional small town of Flatch, Ohio. Hijinks and comedy ensue as they interact with the town’s characters, festivities, and traditions, all while trying to make money and get famous through wild ideas and schemes. The supporting cast keeps things grounded….kind of….while offering their own bouts of laughter along the way. We have the goofy and charming Sean William Scott who plays Joe, a pastor from Minnesota who moved here on assignment to run the local church. And the extremely talented Aya Cash plays Cheryl, a journalist finding it tough to get a big break in such a small town…..and happens to be Joe’s ex who originally moved to Flatch with him.
Throughout the series you do find that each character is reaching out for connection in their own way, making for some occasionally calming and sincere moments among the absurdity. It’s not centered around a workplace like other popular mockumentaries have been, but if you enjoy that type of comedy, with the occasional tug on a heartstring and dash of rom-com, then you’re all set for a fun and pleasant evening.
Sex Education
(Netflix)
With the upcoming 4th season set to be its last, Sex Education isn’t a new show, but I did just start watching it this past year and I loved it. Average, relatively unknown high schooler Miles’ relationship with intimacy is weird, probably something to do with his divorced mom being a renowned sex therapist who’s parenting style is a bit too open and who’s romantic style can generously be described as….distant (played by the talented and gorgeous Gillian Anderson). When he accidentally stumbles upon a much needed service at school – secretly providing sex/romantic advice to his fellow students – and the girl he’s interested in becomes his business partner, life becomes much more exciting, and tumultuous, for young Miles and everyone at school.
While the lives and relationships of the characters are of course the meat of the story, including lgbtq issues, there is a focus on just how much the education system is lacking when it comes to sex, its related topics, and mental health. If you’re looking for a coming of age comedy that is a raunchy good time and smarter than your average “sex = funny” romp, give this British series a go.
(Yes, I know there's some great shows that I really wanted to see, but ultimately didn't have the time to get to - Severance, Our Flag Means Death, Minx, Andor..... - but I will! I promise!)
Quick Picks
The Great North (Hulu) – The humor and look of The Great North is similar to another wholesome animated comedy, Bob’s Burgers, and if you enjoy that then you’ll definitely enjoy this. Despite those similarities The Great North is very different, both in its plethora of characters and the entire setting – middle-of-nowhere Alaska. Most of the kids are older and dad (voiced by Nick Offerman) is single, so those facts alone give the show vastly different topics to talk about than its similar looking cousin. Whether alone or with the family, it’s easy to warm up to this fun and cozy comedy.
As We See It (Amazon) – This comedy revolves around 3 roommates, all on the autism spectrum, and their neurotypical caregiver/life coach as they each try to figure out work, sex, love, and life living on their own for the first time. While plenty of comedy abounds, this show serves up some thick slices of drama as well, both with usual situations you’d find in any modern 20-somethings comedy, but from a unique perspective.
The Rehearsal (HBO) – Nathan Fielder is back with more uncomfortable comedy involving real people and, depending on your take, a show that is either a genius piece of art, or a deceptive, cruel mockery at the expense of its participants. Its base premise is that he takes someone who has an event/situation that they wish to prepare for and helps them rehearse it over and over trying to make it feel as real as possible (more real than you’re thinking right now), but over the course of just 6 episodes the show morphs into something else. And that’s where the line is either crossed, or brilliantly broken, only you can decide.
The Legend of Vox Machina (Amazon) – Fantasy, magic, creatures, and partying! If you’re into swords and spells, or just a rag-tag group of….nearos (near heroes?) trying to overcome the odds, this is for you. Being a streaming show they’re able to get away with things like swearing, innuendos/references, a little more violence, and mental trauma, all of which I think gives an animated show like this more fun and gravitas. There’s a longer explanation to this show’s backstory, but this is a Quick Pick!
The Afterparty (Apple) – With the murder/mystery boom taking place in movies right now it only makes sense that a series at one was attempted. With a fun concept – each episode’s “genre” is slightly changed depending on which suspect is recounting their story of the evening – and excellent cast, you’re sure to have a laugh and scratch that detective brain itch we all have.
Single Drunk Female (Hulu) – A classic tale of addiction set in the modern world. After showing up drunk to work one too many times and accidentally clocking her boss over the head with a landline phone, Sam is forced to move back in with her mother and start attending AA meetings in order to avoid jail. A fairly easily digestible comedy, although if you’ve struggled with addiction yourself the sobering moments of the show may hit a bit harder. No pun intended.
Killing It (Peacock) – Divorced security guard Craig (Craig Robinson) is having a rough year and wants nothing more than to be a great dad to his daughter and start his own business. But none of these white, “colorblind” bank managers will give him a loan, his ex’s boyfriend is a prick, and his criminal brother keeps bringing him tempting offers….along with heaps of trouble. His life is about to change, however, upon meeting his next Uber driver – a struggling, surprisingly optimistic, Australian immigrant – Jillian G. (the ridiculously hilarious Claudia O’Doherty) who, among many other jobs, kills snakes to pay the bills. An engaging and funny comedy set among the bleak reality of the financial battle that is all too common for many in this country.
STAND UP
Man, I knew it was coming but holy cow, the amount of comedians finally getting their covid jokes onto tape was ridiculous. I get it, it takes a long time to put a full set together so some of the jokes might be 2yrs+ old by the time you film it, but I really wish the majority of them had left the pandemic jokes behind.
Regardless, there were still some solid specials this year. So if you're looking to have your funny bone hit, or broken, set aside 30-60min and give one of these a go. And go support live comedy when you can!
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Taylor Tomlinson
“Look at You”
(Netflix)
With her first special having come out in March of 2020, she may possibly be one of the only comedians the pandemic helped more than it hurt, with everyone having the time to discover just how talented this (at the time) 26yr old is. Now, just over 2yrs later, Taylor picks up right where she left off with what might be my favorite special of the year. Continuing with her hilarious takes on her mental health, family, dating, and relationships, I think this one is even better than her first. The subjects may be mostly the same, but this time around she digs even deeper and more precisely, like a surgeon of comedy. There’s been some great comics (some of my favorites), usually in the storyteller genre, who have become known for hitting darker topics and having half their specials be quite somber while still being hilarious overall. Well Taylor is not one of those long storytellers, but she’s still able to take some of these heavier topics and make it just as poignant as anyone while keeping it in the shorter form, “classic” stand-up style. Ridiculously hard to do.
Still very young by stand-up standards, her ~12yrs+ experience shines through in everything from her stage presence to facial expressions to confidence, making this special seem even more solid than her first, somehow. If you haven’t seen either of her specials then get on it! They’re 2 of the best in these past few years.
Sheng Wang
“Sweet and Juicy”
(Netflix)
I’d known of Sheng for a while but never took the time to listen to his stuff. Well, by not seeing anything of his until this came around, I was rewarded with probably the biggest surprise of the year with his superb special. Many comedians are high energy, either just running around stage or yelling, so I love when a comedian is relaxed and takes their time. With a Texan drawl Sheng gives his unique perspective on a variety of topics, mostly everyday, mundane ones – buying pants, reading books, using body lotion – as well as some classics like being middle-aged and his Taiwanese background.
I’m not saying this just because of his long hair and glasses, but he may be the first comedian that is reminiscent of Mitch Hedberg, in my opinion. He is different, so don’t get too excited if you’re a fellow Hedberg fan, but his demeanor and thoughts on these random topics occasionally give me the same vibes. So catch this hilarious hour the next time you’re looking to really chill and laugh at the same time.
Sam Morril
“Same Time Tomorrow”
(Netflix)
One of the names at the top of the list of comedians associated with the stand-up explosion on Youtube the past couple years. Early on in the pandemic Sam started consistently posting short clips, less than 3min, on Youtube of choice crowd work moments from a variety of gigs while he incessantly toured the U.S., and boy did he rack up the views. It was a great way to share his sense of humor and how good he is at his job without revealing jokes he’d actually written. Later on in 2021 and 2022 the masses of stand-ups followed his lead. Now Tiktok, Instagram, Youtube, and the rest are filled with comics showing off their best pieces of crowd interactions.
Being a well-rounded comedian his written material is great too. Known for his witty takes on darker subjects, this special is no exception. Mixing both personal experiences and just his opinions, Morril is nonchalant joking about pedophiles, school shootings, Tiktok, drinking, masturbating, superhero movies, and more. Unlike some of his peers who handle offensive material by ranting and raving, Morril’s demeanor is the opposite and his jokes well-crafted, having been forged to their best over the course of hundreds of shows.
If you’re seeing him for the first time this special might not be the best to start with, but it’s good nonetheless. 2 of his previous specials – 2018’s “Positive Influence” and 2020’s “I Got This” (from Feb. of that year) – are conveniently on Youtube as well.
Phil Hanley
“Ooh La La”
(Youtube)
Thanks to the success of Sam Morril and a few others in the past couple years, Youtube was inundated with independently released specials this year. I didn’t take the time to watch most of them, but I did click on Phil Hanley’s, who I’d never heard of before, and was rewarded with a delightful hour of comedy. Goofy and quick, Hanley mostly pulls topics from some select areas of his life, including growing up with dyslexia and his short stint as a model. He also talks about the audience a lot, as opposed to the usual crowd work method of talking with them.
Mostly non-offensive and fairly easy to digest, if you’re looking for an upbeat and good-natured hour of stand-up, this Canadian’s special is for you.
Neal Brennan
“Blocks”
(Netflix)
In 2017’s “Three Mics” he used 3 separate mics – one for short jokey jokes, one for normal stand-up, and one for serious topics/personal stories – but here in “Blocks” Brennan combines it all into just one. With 5yrs in-between specials there’s myriad topics he could have prepared to talk about and, in a way, he does, but at the center of it all he’s just trying to answer the age old question we all ask ourselves – what is wrong with me?
Neal takes a look at his relationship with all of the big topics in his life – politics, family, romantic relationships, white privilege, masculinity, and more. Making fun of each side of the political aisle, people not trusting him since he’s 48 and never married, still dealing with childhood trauma, enjoying the benefits of his gender and race while trying to be a good ally…..it’s all here as he fluctuates between the hilarity and seriousness of his thoughts and emotions behind each topic.
Some comedians keep the jokes quite dark when dealing with a heavy topic like this, leaving you feeling depressed or hopeless throughout most of their special. But Neal does a great job of keeping the laughs flowing for most of his time on stage, helping everything go down a little easier. If you're a fan of cerebral comedy this is the one for you this year.
Quick Picks
*Kyle Kinane - “Trampoline in a Ditch” – The asterisk is in front of his name because this special came out in 2020 (as you can see in my Best of 2020!) but it was audio-only at the time. Now the video is available to watch for free on Youtube, so do it!
Patton Oswalt - “We All Scream” and Tom Papa - “What A Day!” – Two pros who you can count on to always pull through with a solid hour of comedy. With their classic styles of taking stories from their own lives and stretching them out with little embellishments and tangents, it’s like the feeling of coming home or retreating to your comfort space. Each man in his 50’s, with a wife and kids, and their own neurosis, you know you’ll be getting a good, unoffensive time (unless you’re a real prude). (Both on Netflix)
Jerrod Carmichael - “Rothaniel” – 5yrs after his last special Jerrod Carmichael decides to reveal some secrets, both about his family and himself. Sitting in a chair, Jerrod keeps the first half of this special calm, cool, and funny, but having only planned so far, the back half kind of becomes a mini-therapy session while he answers a few audience questions. Additionally, if you’re looking for what’s going on in stand-up (beyond the mega stars), Jerrod has spent some time directing and/or producing other comedians’ specials. His name keeps popping up next to 2 others – producer Christopher Storer and Bo Burnham, who has also been directing and producing other specials. So checkout what these guys are doing on the producing/directing fronts and you might discover more comics to love. (HBO)
Well that's it! Hope you found something new you enjoyed in all that mess, and if you did, let me know! Also tell me your favorites and the little things you liked that no one's talking about. I'll probably add an "Additional Media" section next year since there's things that don't quite fit into one of the above categories that I'd love to share. We'll see.
Cheers to a wonderful 2023 for us all!
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