Bo Burnham: Make Happy

In "Bo Burnham: Make Happy," the comedian takes his audience on a candid and at times surreal journey through the intricacies of modern life. The special, which premiered in 2016, is a deeply personal and often humorous exploration of the human experience, tackling a wide range of topics including mortality, relationships, and societal hypocrisy. From the opening note of the special, it's clear that Bo Burnham is not your typical comedian. He has a unique style that blends clever wordplay, poignant observations, and a willingness to dive deeper into the complexities of his own emotions. His stand-up routine is less a series of punchlines than a sprawling, introspective work of art that defies easy categorization. One of the standout aspects of "Make Happy" is Bo's use of music as a storytelling tool. Throughout the special, he incorporates a range of catchy and often irreverent songs that capture the mood and themes of each segment. From the upbeat romp of "Repeat Stuff" to the haunting elegy of "Dont Say That," Bo's musical numbers are a key part of the show's charm, imbuing the performance with a sense of playfulness and creativity. As the special progresses, Bo takes on some of the more serious and personal topics that have come to define his work. He shares his experiences with anxiety and depression, offering a glimpse into the darker corners of his own mind. He talks candidly about relationships, love, and sex, exploring the often-tangled web of emotions and desires that can surround these complex themes. Throughout it all, Bo's wit and self-deprecation serve as a kind of counterbalance to the more serious topics. He pokes fun at the absurdities of modern life, tackling everything from social media to the quirks of everyday human behavior. And yet, even in these lighter moments, there's a sense of vulnerability and openness that's impossible to shake. One of the most striking aspects of "Make Happy" is its use of Pringles cans as a recurring symbol. At first glance, this might seem like a weird or arbitrary choice – but as the special progresses, the Pringles cans begin to represent something deeper. They become a metaphor for the ways in which we try to structure and categorize our lives, even as the world around us spins out of control. This notion is central to the special's exploration of mortality and the human condition. Bo grapples with the ultimate question of what it means to be alive, musing on topics like the afterlife, the nature of reality, and the fleeting nature of human experience. His observations are both hilarious and poignant, capturing the absurdity and complexity of life in a way that's both deeply personal and universally relatable. As the special draws to a close, Bo returns to the theme of the Pringles cans – and in doing so, offers a glimpse into the future. He mingles the symbolism of the Pringles cans with a powerful commentary on the ways in which our world is constantly changing. The Pringles cans, which had initially seemed like a silly joke, now represent something profound: the limits of our own control, the fragility of human existence, and the constant impermanence of all that we know and love. In the end, "Bo Burnham: Make Happy" is a deeply ambitious and wildly inventive work that defies easy categorization. It's a stand-up special that's also a musical comedy, a personal essay, and a philosophical meditation – all rolled into one. And while it's impossible to do justice to Bo's innovative style and creative genius in a single summary, one thing is clear: "Make Happy" is a landmark work that cements Bo Burnham's status as one of the most innovative and courageous comedic voices working today.