Joe List: Small Ball

Joe List is no stranger to using his biting wit and self-deprecating humor to dissect everyday life's absurdities, but in "Small Ball," he takes his comedic style to a new level by tackling some of life's most significant moments. The arrival of his first child brings about a newfound perspective on fatherhood, but it also creates a sense of chaos that serves as a backdrop for List's engaging storytelling. The special begins with List's signature confident stage presence, but it's quickly evident that he's navigating new territory as a parent. His stand-up routines often start with stories about his daughter's birth, and throughout the hour, he delves into the labyrinth of fatherhood, marriage, and the complexities of modern parenting. List's approach to comedy often lies in his ability to find humor in the mundane, and "Small Ball" is no exception. He recounts with relatable ease the exhaustion and sleep deprivation that come with caring for a newborn, forcing even the most seasoned parents to laugh at the countless late-night feedings and early morning diaper changes that have become an overwhelming staple of parenthood. One of List's greatest strengths lies in his ability to craft laugh-out-loud moments through carefully crafted punchlines. In "Small Ball," he demonstrates this artful skill when discussing his own transformation into a parent, from careless, carefree bachelor to someone who's extremely sleep-deprived and absolutely obsessed with his newborn child. His clever phrases skillfully describe his dwindling motivation levels, hint of craziness and loss of identity yet his overwhelming dedication and pure love for his child. As "Small Ball" progresses, List expounds on his desire to be involved in his daughter's life, attending parenting classes, and being generally enthusiastic about the prospect of growing older and eventually watching her develop interests of her own. The tone shifts between dark humor and optimism, showing List wrestling with feelings of jealousy, rejection, and isolation as a new parent, along with embracing love, affection and paternal pride. His vulnerability resonates uniquely, allowing the audience to benefit from the often humorous unpredictability that surfaces in matters of parenthood. Beyond the ups and downs of fatherhood, "Small Ball" also touches on other pivotal aspects of List's life, including his friendship and marriage. His interactions with his wife and their relationship's emotional highs and lows serve as a beautiful backdrop to his new parenting journey. List uncovers many humorous quirks in their relationship, along with offering a lighthearted approach to navigating the daunting prospect of parenting together. The dynamic chemistry List shares with his wife illuminates even darker moments during the parenting journey, finding a glimmer of levity even when his partner's mom suggests some "certain creative ideas about making more meals" (essentially microwaving frozen pizzas inside mason jars, therefore becoming somewhat a creative but disastrous way of microwaving pizza that the audience laugh at). The support and love from his wife, a constant throughout the entire experience of parenthood, keeps him grounded, even through his missteps. Joe List's humor and refreshing candor illuminate "Small Ball," transforming what could be an intimidating and chaotic process into something laugh-out-loud funny and infinitely more palatable. In "Small Ball," List acknowledges that being a father is complicated, taking you through plenty of unplanned territory and hitting numerous strange bumps along the journey. In doing so, he raises the bar for parental comedy while recognizing the most profound changes parenting brings to both young fathers and young at hearts like List and himself who, in a word, they themselves are.