Chris Gethard: Career Suicide

In Chris Gethard: Career Suicide, Chris Gethard takes his audience on a poignant yet darkly comedic journey through the depths of his depression, alcoholism, and his numerous brushes with the medical community. This autobiographical account of his struggles with mental illness serves as an unflinching, laugh-out-loud, yet heartbreaking expose into the complexities of Gethard's life. The show begins with Gethard recounting his tumultuous adolescence, which laid the groundwork for a lifelong battle with depression. At times his parents are portrayed unsympathetically, exacerbating his fragile emotional state, while at others moments they display unconditional love and support, only for Gethard to misinterpret it. Gethard skillfully weaves together vignettes and anecdotes that showcase the often-misguided ways people view mental illness as well as the societal stigma often associated with it. Throughout the show, Chris Gethard frequently breaks character, directly addressing his audience, sharing raw, often uncomfortable experiences, as he struggles with the concept of self-determination in the face of his unrelenting mental health battles. He shares an excruciating encounter with an unyielding psychiatrist during which he recounts his struggles, only to find himself at odds with the medical professional who seems more focused on diagnosis than finding an actual cure. He also recounts his experiences at a group therapy session where patients are forced to share in a format that is both excruciatingly painful and, in a bizarre way, cathartic. Gethard shares the time he found himself at the center of an episode of "Win, Lose or Draw," which ended with him walking off-set in a moment of emotional turmoil. The painful recollection of this incident leaves Gethard visibly shaken, and for a moment, the room falls silent, illustrating the unflinching, brutal nature of his performance. One of the highlights of the show comes in the form of a deeply personal and humorous exploration of his marriage to a fellow comedian. Gethard's partner, Val, stands by him through the most trying times, supporting him unconditionally and lovingly, in spite of Gethard's own personal demons that have taken a devastating toll on their relationship. This candid portrayal showcases a deep and true love that serves as a beacon of hope in a sea of darkness. Another pivotal moment in the show comes when Gethard recounts his numerous attempts to find solace in his addiction to prescription and illicit drugs. He paints an unflattering portrait of the self-destructive, destructive, addictive cycle that ensues as a result of these experiments, which left him crippled and broke. Yet, it's during the darkest moments of this particular episode that Gethard finds the strength to confront his addiction and his fragile state of mind head-on. Ultimately, Chris Gethard: Career Suicide serves as a powerful reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is a glimmer of hope waiting to emerge. The show masterfully captures the raw emotions of Gethard's experiences, and his unwavering courage to share them. What could have been an uncomfortable viewing experience, becomes, paradoxically, an oddly uplifting journey. Gethard, throughout the performance, tackles his mental health issues with both sensitivity and candor. By sharing the raw, brutal, and sometimes humorous anecdotes from his personal life, Gethard provides hope for those struggling with their mental health. As the curtain falls, the audience is left to ponder the show's poignant conclusion: no matter the depth of their struggle, the strength within us all is enough to overcome even the darkest of times.