Stream It Or Skip It: 'An Intimate Evening With Adam Pally' On HBO Max: A Unique Comedy Special
Adam Pally's debut solo comedy special is a unique blend of music, documentary, and personal storytelling. Unlike traditional stand-up, Pally performs cover songs on a guitar, inviting friends and family onstage, and even incorporates a day-in-the-life documentary element with a film crew in Brooklyn. Despite his married life with kids, Pally's performance exudes a distinct divorced dad vibe, adding a layer of humor to his act.
The Gist:
Adam Pally's background is in improvisation and sketch comedy, not stand-up. He gained recognition through his work at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre with Ben Schwartz, and later starred in the ABC sitcom 'Happy Endings'. Pally's other TV credits include 'The Mindy Project', 'Mr. Throwback', 'FUBAR', and various sketches on 'Last Week Tonight with John Oliver'.
In this special, Pally offers a glimpse into his personal life, playing with the concept of truth. The concert performance is filmed at The Bell House in Brooklyn, with documentary footage from that day seamlessly integrated. His cousin acts as the DJ, and he's joined by actor David Krumholtz and his father. The band features comedian Dave Hill.
What's Unique About It?
Pally's approach to comedy is unconventional. He explains, "The special was made out of a deep desire to make something, anything, anything at all, and I couldn't be prouder of it and grateful to HBO for giving me an incredible platform to make people laugh, play music, and tell some bubbameisters."
Comparisons and Memorable Moments:
The special's tone and content resemble Whitmer Thomas's 2020 HBO docu-concert, 'The Golden One'. While it's not about jokes, Pally's self-deprecating humor and deflating the sad air after each song create memorable moments.
Our Take:
Pally's self-awareness and insecurity are immediately apparent. He humorously addresses the audience's confusion, "I know a lot of you are probably thinking to yourself, like, why? Why would a television star be about to play songs at me in Gowanus?" He then adds, "And to that I would say, you know, movie star. And then, I would say, I don't know. I have no idea." This light-hearted approach elicits nervous giggles.
Pally's musical comedy is rooted in his childhood. His parents were lounge singers, and he references this by having his father join him on stage for a father-son duet of Carly Simon's "Coming Around Again".
Emotional and Psychological Impact:
Pally's special reflects the emotional and psychological toll of the past five years, marked by pandemic shutdowns and strikes. He needed to regain his love for performing, and this tour and special provided the motivation and momentum he needed.
Our Verdict:
STREAM IT. Pally's improvisational instincts, as guided by his director, result in a loose and authentic performance. Watching this special as a double-feature with 'Downey Wrote That' could be an enjoyable experience.
Podcasts and Additional Content:
Sean L. McCarthy, a comedy expert, hosts podcasts like 'The Comic's Comic Presents Last Things First', where comedians share their origin stories.
