“Make Happy” - My Thoughts 💭

This is a previously unpublished review from 2018.

“Make Happy” (2016) is Bo Burnham's comedy special streaming on Netflix. After recently seeing the humorous doco-style drama "Eighth Grade" (2018) which he both wrote and directed, I found out that Bo Burnham is also a stand-up comic/musician. "Make Happy" is by turns darkly jovial and intellectual & existential, yet certainly not for all tastes.

There are of course obvious comparisons to mastermind Tim Minchin’s shows, with Bo's satirical music renditions, which are lively and, his at times, aggressive bursts on the keyboard. Yet, Bo Burnham has an odd charm, rhythm and musicality of his own. He bitingly tells it how it is (either through song or brief monologues) but then simultaneously explains himself and seeks your approval - it's very millennialist. His musical catalogue parodies pop, country, rock, rap as well as show tune style lyrics.

His awkward tone and persona with his offbeat and subversive approach to comedy feels more like a visceral character study, of perhaps himself or even a generation. All this seems to point to a person who is seeking to entertain, yet also comment on social issues in the western world - all presented with flashing lights, smoke machines and multiple genres of music. The dichotomy is that we simultaneously feed on entertainment whilst also understanding its power shaping us. We're BOTH complicit followers whilst ALSO oppressed by the various things we follow. Philosophical for sure, but after all, he spouts.."my ideas are just repackaged ideas of someone else's". Bo seeks to breakdown the wall of bull-shit in the entertainment industry presenting a show that thus feels more organic, more truthful, but also really, really sad. He stresses a plea for attention like a kid at a tit - and shows what it feels like to be forgotten. Its tone is oddly poignant if you can get into that head space. While his comedy is sometimes lowest common denominator (he wasn't a teenager that long ago!) this only strengthens the show's irony of the ways in which we we've been shaped by culture in recent times in particularly apathetic ways.

It's compelling as it feel insightful into his mindset rather than being simply humorous about the banal things in everyday life like many other comics (although he does this a little too). He is one hoping to strike the balance of the elusive middle road - where one is both free from constraints, but also a part of the world, and that's no mean feat to achieve.

The show feels more about him than any other comic I've seen; it's insightful, divisive, poignant, but it's also really depressing in some ways. There's an aching one comes away with that's perhaps mirrored in our dissatisfaction with our own lives. If only (as he seems to insinuate) we can break free of the constraints of our life (the Pringle can) and fill our burritos with lots of 'good stuff' - whilst being perfectly wrapped so said 'good stuff' does not fall out, "because no one wants to eat a burrito with a fork"!

The show is not so much about a range of topics than its interest in swerving people's expectations of stand up comedy. It’s the unexpected absurdity that makes me laugh. He's consistently playing with his segues so you're not sure where he's going next. He is. He's pure character on stage. I very much doubt he acts remotely like this in real life, even if the content mirrors his thoughts. It is through his material and interest in irreverent comedy that you get an insight into the young man which proves rewarding.

The "Straight White Male" and "Ideal Partners" songs are particularly strong and the lyrics satiric. "Make Happy" is existential and (dis?)heartening, yet probably also divisive for some audiences especially with songs such as "Kill Yourself" (containing graphic lyrics even if highly satirical, but also tapping into prominent ideas surrounding suicide in contemporary youth and also how we idolise pop stars as gods).

He says in the special that this show is about 'performing' - I guess in all its forms and we're all ‘players’ to some degree like Shakespeare famously said, so let's acknowledge that.

I’m giving “Make Happy” 3.5 stars out of five

Quick note: I think, now, I like it a little more each time I view it.