CD Review
Eugene Mirman: An Evening of Comedy in a Fake Underground Laboratory
4 stars (out of 5)
Eugene Mirman likely has a notepad or an iPhone document which he uses to list his many encounters with the idiotic and illogical. Whether criticizing ineffective bathroom graffiti or mockingly altering restaurant slogans to reflect his dining experience, Mirman has twenty thousand bones to pick with almost everyone (which isn’t so bad, considering who everyone is). He satirically responds to anti-abortion bill boards and recounts his full page ad campaign against Time Warner Cable (NY Press, true story). He recounts his career hiding insulting messages on bar napkins and provides the Tea Party with campaign advice. When leafing through a family archive on stage, it is revealed he was even a vindictive third grader, having created a sarcastic and poignant greeting card wishing Joseph Smith death.
The set has an entertainingly varied pace. He quick-wittedly answers audience questions and has a musically enhanced portion, employing a therein (Wikipedia knows), which is an odd instrument that he finds marvelously creative use for but is probably most apt for his impression of whale sex noises.
Mirman is more accusatory than the average comic, but every entity he directs his grievances at certainly invite the ridicule; it should be understood that Mirman’s strength is in his keen identification of society’s trends, including its unfavorable aspects, indictment of the moronic being the chosen vessel for his vastly appreciable cultural eye.
Some of the most infuriating aspects of American life, however overt or subtle, are sniped out by Mirman. I’m sure few people are rushing to defend Facebook ads and exclusive dating sites from puncturing assault. If you’re the butt of those jokes maybe this could be an irksome set. But don’t be shy; come on in and see what he has to say about marriage and the Bible.
