4/5
To Live & Laugh In LA.
6 Episodes. Hosted By: John Mulaney. Announcer: Richard Kind. Created By: John Mulaney. On: Netflix.
Even the comeback kid of the theme tune to Marvel's 'X-Men '97' revival animated series on Disney Plus has a hard time beating this. That is, the iconic titles to classic comedian John Mulaney's legendary new live-streaming Netflix talk show 'Everybody's In LA'. Hot off the Venice Beach, boardwalk skating heels of his 'Baby J' comeback special from last year, and last month's 'My Next Guest' chat with David Letterman, who returns the couch favour here. As soon as the car radio clock goes from 6:59 to 7:00PM and the new wave of Wang Chung's 'To Live and Die In L.A.' come into play as cards drop and turn into jacket laden watches, people play pick-up hoops, choppers ride and fly through the city and special guest's (whose reveal we'll leave to the showmanship) are karate chopped into existence. Sure, Wang Chung aren't from Los Angeles (they're actually from England), and neither is John, but that doesn't matter. This syndicate is more Los Angeles Times than a newspaper drenched by the sprinklers on a front lawn those in New York could only dream of. Let alone us in Tokyo and the rest of the streaming and watching world. All as we exhibit the weirdest Banksy. This comeback couldn't have happened to a better kid.
The maestro of monologues. Move over Jimmy's, it's time for the Johnny's (erm...), especially as another one comes in, tying the room together like a Lebowski talk show. After these sweet six, offbeat and irreverently inspired epic episodes that are as random as they come (Nikki Glaser puts this "in-joke" perfectly after ruling on the 'Roast Of Tom Brady' as Netflix really is a big joke right now like an 'Unfrosted' Jerry Seinfeld), you'll be left wanting more. Give John Mulaney his own late night show right now. Even if we'll miss his stand-up circuit and classic characters, as he brings some of his own biggest Broadway stars back. This is the best thing the terrifically talented man has done since his absolutely amazing 'Sack Lunch Bunch' like Mr. Rogers, shows he should have his own kids show too. Won't he be our neighbour? And just like Jake Gyllenhaal stole the show as the Music Man of that truly special, special, the amazing announcer of Richard Kind (no, not Colin Farrell's Penguin in 'The Batman' as I keep telling myself) as John's new best friend makes everything so much better. Game for endearingly laughing in the background. Especially when he invents his own conversation starter pack that could give Cards Against Humanity a run for their money that they probably pay out in fines. And just wait until, like giving it to Joaquin Phoenix in 'Beau Is Afraid', the 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' lets a delivery robot called SAMO have it for taking his girl and the legs from under him.
Providing the snacks and refreshments, you're telling me this robot is actually real? Rolling 'round the streets of LA like Snoop and Dre on hydraulics. How has he not been lifted. Because he's the real star of the show. Despite even the courtside celebrities that are too good to be true, they make the ones at Laker games a trip, like Larry David and Shaq. Comedian friends, famous actors and the like. Experts on everything from earthquakes to the La Brea Tar Pits. The off the cuff talk is anything but cheap, as it all links together like the special segments that show every part of Los Angeles in all its glory. Not to mention the massive musical guests that couldn't be more LA if they were stuck in traffic, tuning into the radio where they play (especially the last one in legendary closing who our sister site AMPs & 808s was lucky enough to see live in Japan, last month). Or to forget the real residents of this one-of-a-kind city who call in with their own stories about the City Of Angels. Emmy ready, call the request on this love letter to LA like Randy Newman, dedicated to the late, great Sam Rubin. Because this is one of the best things you'll see all year in a city that's facing the loss of its iconic palm trees and the Lakers these days raising banners on an In-Season Tournament. This is the John Mulaney experience. LA style. And here's to the first spot on the Stars and Stripes I ventured to, like Ventura, when I tried to make my American dream the stuff of more than pipes. Storm through this dry humour like the drains and the heat is well and truly on like Michael, man. The only question remains, what kind of car do YOU drive? TIM DAVID HARVEY.
Further Filming: John Mulaney-'Baby J', 'John Mulaney & The Sack Lunch Bunch', 'My Next Guest With David Letterman & John Mulaney'.
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