The new two-disc release from Maria Bamford, Ask Me About My New God!, includes both a CD and a DVD, and unlike many other recent releases from comedians, the CD and DVD contain different material.
The CD is of a performance recorded in Portland, Oregon. Her take on Portland is perfect. I lived in Eugene, Oregon for several years, and her opening material really took me back there. Among the things she says she’d do if she lived there: “Have horrible arguments on the street with people who have the exact same opinion that I do on every issue.” That’s great, and it’s great that the audience is laughing (for I recall a significant portion of the population having no sense of humor about itself).
On religion, Maria says, “I am trying to get more spiritual – I mean, more self-righteous.” On cooking, she says, “People say how easy it is to cook, but it is not any easier than not cooking.”
Maria Bamford is known for doing a lot of great voices in her act. I love her impressions of the religious people trying to lure others in by misleading them. I also love her bit about dating in her forties (and when elderly). Her voice of the woman in the perfect relationship is bloody brilliant and spot-on.
And all of her material on depression and anxiety is wonderful. As always, her impression of her mother is hilarious. “She called my sister in a panic and said, ‘Sarah, Maria has disappeared, and I’m worried she’s killed herself and I have a hair appointment in town.’”
The CD is approximately an hour. By the way, there is someone in the audience whose laugh is distinct and completely insane. Maria finally mentions it partway through the performance. “It’s a little distracting,” she tells the woman.
The DVD includes two performances Maria did on Comedy Central Presents, the first from 2007 and the second from 2001. Each is approximately twenty-two minutes long. She begins the performance from 2007 by saying, “Like most Americans, I’d like to help others…while being televised.” I just love her twisted honesty. She says, “I love my country, and maybe that is because I am rich.” And then, “I’m not technically rich, but I do have a lot of shit that I don’t need that I refuse to share with others.” (And it’s said in that sweet, cute voice.) And I love her anxiety song, which she delivers a cappella (well, to the accompaniment of much laughter from the audience). She can do a lot with her voice, giving impressions of all sorts of characters. Her impression of someone ordering food is particularly great.
In the performance from 2001, her style of comedy is a bit different. She begins by talking about Los Angeles, about her small breasts, and about being hurt that no one has offered her money for sex. But she does a few characters, including a porn star: “Working in an unregulated industry that provides no legal recourse should I be repeatedly victimized kind of makes me feel hot.” Her impersonation of her mom is great. And I totally love her bit about the cult. In both performances, she talks about temp work.
Ask Me About My New God! was released on July 16, 2013 on Comedy Central Records.
0 PC Beasts Commented:
Post a Comment