Starting out as a YouTuber, writing funny songs for his brother who had moved away from home, Bo Burnham has come a very long way from those early days. Producing his own movie, Eighth Grade, to critical acclaim as well as playing a supporting role in the Oscar-nominated Promising Young Woman are just a few of the other projects Bo has worked on over the years since his career took off. Despite his success on the big screen, most people still know Bo from his Netflix comedy specials.
Combining stand-up, social commentary, comedic songs, and tons of stage gags, the specials are a multi-part show, rather than just a comedian standing up and telling jokes. Over the years, Bo has pushed the medium of stand-up to places where few comedians have attempted to do so. The risks that Bo has taken have definitely paid off from massive audience live shows to his more intimate and self-produced Inside, Bo has but put out some truly hilariously content over the years.
Making A Sandwich While High On Marijuana - Make Happy
Bo Burnham's special, Make Happy, is filled with moments that will have audiences in stitches, and watching Bo mime making a sandwich to perfectly-timed sound effects is still a stand out.
Moving almost in slow motion, Bo walks or rather stumbles around the stage grabbing imaginary peanut butter and bread before excitedly assembling his sandwich. The bit is as hilarious as it is random and perfectly encapsulates all that is weird and funny in Bo Burnhams live shows.
The Opening - What.
This special was an immediate hit with fans old and new and that's largely due to the brilliant opening sequence. Setting up the absurdity and randomness of the show, the opening sequence is a perfectly choreographed comedic masterpiece.
A voice-over, miming, and some very awkward prolonged eye contact the intro works to set up Bo Burnham's entire style of comedy rather than just what to expect from that special alone.
Right-Brain Vs. Left- Brain - What.
Although the opening to the special works perfectly as an intro, the hectic and introspective "Right Brain vs. Left Brain" gives the audience their first look inside how revealing Bo's comedy can be at times.
Mocking his own mental health, Bo's self-deprecating humor is on full display in a way that can make some viewers uncomfortable with just how relatable it can be, right before it brings you back in with a laugh.
Twitch Stream - Inside
One of the things that was amped up in Bo's newest special was how topical it was. Taking everything that has been trending on social media in one of the craziest years ever, Bo is able to turn random social trends into gold.
This results in one of the funniest bits in the whole special as Bo once again mocks his own mental state, pretending to be a Twitch streamer playing a game where he controls himself in his room. Watching him cry over and over and then play a song, the bit is hilarious and sad, Bo's signature.
The Breakup - Make Happy
Another bit that shows Bo's randomness on full display sees Bo play both sides of a couple in the process of breaking up. Of course, it doesn't go well as the male character has some issues with his father that are apparently causing him to lash out in a childish way.
The bit then takes another turn as the rudeness and immaturity are then returned by the female to an aggressive beat drop and some choice words.
Straight White Male - Make Happy
Despite all the creative bits and different ways that Bo takes advantage of the stage medium, his songs are still what he is most known for. The first song in his second Netflix holds up as one of his best.
With some of Bo's best lyrics and social commentary, Bo delves into the "horrors" of being a straight white male, like getting the wrong iPhone case, all those unwanted emails from Zappos, and the brutal reality of the mall not having your pant size.
How The World Works - Inside
Bo loves reimagining what's possible with different mediums and with his newest special being filmed without an audience, he was able to explore this even more. With more social commentary than his previous special one of the earliest bits is also one of the most direct in that regard.
Using a sock puppet to talk about capitalism, racism, and a system that "protects the interests of the pedophilic corporate elite," Bo holds back even less than he normally does.
We Think We Know You - What.
Although with Make Happy and especially with Inside, Bo showed his ability to be revealing while still being funny, the first time audiences really got to see this was the closing bit in what.
Just as the show is wrapping up, Bo is suddenly interrupted by a voice-over who talks at him, then another voice and another until an agent, someone who claims to know him from college, and a hackler of sorts are all telling him what to do and what to think. The bit is both impressive and insightful, reminding the audience that performers, no matter how famous are still people.
White Woman's Instagram - Inside
With some of the funniest lyrics and brilliant visuals, "White Woman's Instagram" is one of Bo's best bits in his specials. Mocking the lack of originality on social media, "White Woman's Instagram" pokes fun at social media's tendency to be derivative.
Perfectly recreating all of the images that Bo talks about in the song, it is just as impressive visually as it is musically. Rocking nothing but a flannel or an ironic shirt, the whole bit is truly impressive.
Handle This - Make Happy
Although his prior specials were revealing at times, often weaving comedic lyrics with ones that force the audience to think about the bigger picture of what he's singing about, Bo truly took this to another level at the end of Make Happy.
Easily the most impressive bit that Bo has ever done, "Handle This" is deeply revealing and heartbreaking at times as the audience is forced to examine their own role in the mental health of not only Bo but any performer that feels the pressure of an audience. "I hope you're happy."