User Reviews

I'm not sure how to describe this stand-up special, because I really want people to understand my perception of it. Listen, I started watching 'The Daily Show' with Jon Stewart back in (maybe) 1996, I don't recall. The skits, the jokes, the way they poked fun at society, religion & politics was hilarious... for 1996. Sarah's 'Someone You Love' HBO special felt like that. It was comical (dot dot dot) 27 years ago. But see we've heard all the puns and watched all the skits for decades, and (well) naturally the show grew/matured over this time. Jon Stewart moved on. They got a new host, new writers, and it changed with the times. It had to to be more relevant for the kids today. It needed new material and fresh mirth. Sarah didn't bring that in her special. She's making the same observations that everyone has already done, but it's 27 years later. I've listened to Sarah talk about abortion, Hitler, Catholics, the vagina, and of course diarrhea for so long, that it's monotonous. It's as if Sarah is going backwards as a comic. It's like she's stealing material from an old dive-bar comedian, and hoping we won't notice. Her wit is old, tired, and irrelevant. She's stuck in a bubble. It's exhausting listening to her preach about the exact same things. She's a broken record that I simply can't listen to any longer.

Some entertaining parts of the special came towards the end. Sarah seemed more relaxed. She stopped projecting at the audience and became more social. She engaged with the audience members, and it got some laughs. It was nice hearing her chat with Mrs Martin-Epstein, although it felt constructed to me. I assumed the woman was planted in the front row convivially. It was the pretense of a natural occurrence (IMHO). The end of the show had Sarah singing a silly song (probably written by her sister Laura again). Laura's contributions were Sarah's greatest strengths. The familiarity of it was delightful. It was a song about bad breath, and she sang it to a lovely piano melody. It gave me a smile. I always loved the songs they did on the 'Sarah Silverman Program'. The ending itself left me with a deep sadness. I questioned what happened to that edgy comedy Silverman was always known for... Where's the shock value? Where's the stuff she so boldly exclaimed in her youth? The controversy is gone. The wow factor is empty. She's playing it safe, and I can't help but imagine Sarah Silverman is too scared to stir up a ruckus. I think she's terrified of getting cancelled. And so she isn't as amusing as she once was. 4 stars for this show. I would suggest waiting for the return of 'Curb Your Enthusiasm'.

Sarah Silverman, as she mentions in this, her.4th standup special, has been at this for decades. Many comic's acts get milder and more mellow with age. It is kinda to be expected. We saw it with Carlin, although only very slightly, and we have seen it with Chappelle, who has postured himself more a philosopher these days than a gut busting, guffaw inducing funny comedian. I was a little worried that Sarah might have longer stories, or more songs, and that she might have decided to phone this one in... Not on your life, Buster! This is some well honed stand up right here. The actual interruptions and interactions with the audience played well and she handled them with professional aplomb, but the written material was punchy and direct and filled with laugh inducing set ups and closers. Her delivery was maybe more mature in timbre, but natural and with her usual telekinetic wink at the irony . Silverman has never been known for keeping her opinions to herself, and like most successful stand up comics, and most comedy in general, surprise! She leans left. I love her work, maybe because I am a Gen Xer too, and our generation can watch a film, or stand up act without bringing our political baggage with us for the viewing. Bottom line is, This is Sarah Silverman's best stand up special so far.

With the possible exception to a bit about Pu$$ies and balls, which premise I already heard Betty White expound upon, this special hat a lot of meat on the bone and precious little fat. No matter your side of the aisle, you should be able to laugh at Sarah's observations in this tight and funny 52 minute set.