John Mulaney pushes boundaries in “Everybody’s Live”
Comedian John Mulaney returned to Netflix with a live series that makes an abstract painting of what we know to be a late-night talk show. “Everybody’s Live with John Mulaney” is a spunky, off-beat series featuring hilarious celebrity guests and eye-opening alternative musical performances. Overall, watching it is a good time.
Mulaney is most known for his stand-up comedy specials and writing and hosting for Saturday Night Live [SNL]. After controversially returning from drug rehabilitation and getting a divorce, Mulaney won fans’ hearts back by telling the wacky stories of addiction in a sensitive yet comical light on his stand-up special, “Baby J.” Now, Mulaney hosts “Everybody’s Live” with his co-host and partner in crime, beloved comedian Richard Kind, who adds his thoughts in silly sarcasm from the podium across the stage.
In each episode, Mulaney announces a topic of discussion and features an expert on the subject to speak with him and the panel celebrity guests. In episode 4, “Squatters,” Mulaney and guests Wanda Sykes, John Waters, Stravos Halkias and Supreme Court lawyer Neal Katyal spoke about squatters and shared surprising anecdotes and opinions. Plus, fans watching live can call into the phone line and offer their own stories to the discussion.
My favorite guest interaction so far was with Luenell and Pete Davidson, comedians, in episode 3, “Funeral Planning.” Luenell’s bold humor had the whole panel cracking up in symphony with the audience, like when the guests were asked to show how they would dramatically die in a movie and Luenell instead acted out how she would claw her way to survival. “I actually don’t die,” Luenell said, and the audience collapsed with laughter.
“Everybody’s Live” is more than just a talk show. Their conversations are broken up by endearing short-films highlighting the unique personalities of the Los Angeles community, including small business owners, screwballs and weirdos and a Rabbi with lots of opinions about action movies. And the humor of “Everybodys’ Live” cannot go without mentioning the many running gags, like characters in the audience who watch the show like celebrities courtside at a basketball show.
By featuring alternative music, much like in the early days of SNL, “Everybody’s Live” introduces new music to a larger audience. They have featured a wide variety of musical guests with different genres. My favorite performance so far was with rap group Cypress Hill in episode 1, “Lending People Money.”
Despite my admiration, many other reviews criticize the show for being too chaotic and hard to follow. But much like other off-beat comedy series on Netflix such as “I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson,” a viewer can not appreciate the humor with a stuck-up attitude.
This is a show like no other. With new episodes out every Wednesday at 7 p.m. PT, comedy fans should tune in to watch John Mulaney’s Picasso of a talk show, “Everybodys’ Live.”
