Sometimes alternative comedy isn’t alternative at all, but rather an insane looking-glass mirror of what mainstream stand-up comedy is.
In Dan Klein‘s “This is Comedy” special, he could have put the quotations marks anywhere, really. “This” “is” “Comedy” “special.” It’s an hourlong take on stand-up comedy from the perspective of someone who is the ultimate hack, but before you think it’s all fun and games at the expense of fun, keep watching. There are multiple flashbacks to the night before and day of his “special” that add extra insight into his persona. Or just watch the whole thing to find out how cynical you are, or how hacky you are, and cross everything off of your current set list.
Roll the special.