A welcome surprise in 2021, comedian/actor/filmmaker Bo Burnham graced Netflix with his latest comedy special, Bo Burnham: Inside. Since his emergence in the early days of Youtube, Burnham has found new creative avenues, coming off the critical success of his directorial debut Eighth Grade and most recently playing a key role in the Academy Award-winning film Promising Young Woman, with another noteworthy role on the way.
Made in the midst of quarantine, Bo Burnham: Inside finds the titular man at his rawest most vulnerable capacity, reflecting on the state of things through a collection of unique and inventive performances, and ultimately delivering one of, if not the best pieces of content to come out of the pandemic.
White Woman's Instagram
An early highlight of the special, Burnham sets his sights on the content of social media with "White Woman's Instagram," the song and accompanying visuals very accurately satire a certain type of Instagram account. With the aspect ratio mimicking Instagram's trademark square dimensions, Burnham poses in a series of spot-on pictures that are as perceptive as they are hilarious.
But Bo also makes sure not to ignore the multitudes that these types of accounts can contain, covering a truly heartfelt and genuine post as well. The performance ends with him watching back the edit himself in perfect meta fashion, staying true to the behind-the-scenes feel of the special.
How The World Works
Another early highlight, How the World Works breaks down the frighteningly devastating systems that keep the world spinning the way it is, not hesitating to mention classism, genocide, and revisionist history along the way. And all to the upbeat tune of a knockoff Sesame Street song, a style he's pretty familiar with.
Speaking on increasing inequality and the social constructs that keep it growing, Burnham makes his point that much clearer, darker, and funnier, thanks to the dynamic he has with his subservient sock puppet, Socko. Threatening Socko with removal from his hand to keep him in check, he ends the performance by fittingly, doing just that.
Unpaid Intern
Bo switches up the vibe with "Unpaid Intern," a swing song aptly done in black and white. He shines a light on the pervading culture of worker exploitation, using the despicable situation of unpaid interns as a perfect example. From there it hard cuts to a Youtube-style reaction video.
But what starts as some light behind the scenes commentary evolves into a truly meta-analysis of analysis, with biting commentary on Burnham's own knee-jerk reaction while diving deeper and deeper into his psychosis. Despite Burnham's own insistence, it is far from a stupid song.
Inside (the Twitch Stream)
One of a handful of non-music performances, Burnham poses as a Twitch streamer playing an indie game for the first time simply titled, Inside. It isn't long before the game reveals itself to be a simulation of Bo's daily life stuck in the room the special has been taking place in, complete with playing the piano, crying multiple times, and trying to open the door (it's locked of course).
As the Twitch streamer, Burnham subtly compliments his own music, pokes fun at his large stature in the tiny room, and manages to give an authentic Twitch experience, providing commentary on the demanding day-to-day grind of quarantine.
Welcome To the Internet
In a truly bizarre performance, (though in this special that isn't saying much) "Welcome To The Internet" sees Burnham as a Vaudevillian-like character trying to garner his audience's interest in this lovely thing called the internet, going on to highlight every messed-up aspect of the modern-day worldwide web.
He then harkens back to a simpler time when the internet was nothing but pure potential, reflecting on where it started to where it is now. Accompanied by one of the many sophisticated light shows found in this special, Burnham's performance should play anytime someone opens their internet browser.
Hands Up (Eyes On Me)
Opening with likely the most concerning moment in the special, (viewers are witness to Bo breaking down and sobbing after struggling to admit that he's not doing well), "Hands Up (Eyes On Me)" carries that vulnerability forward.
During the performance, Burnham opens up about his bout with panic and anxiety attacks, how they kept him from doing live shows for years, and how his overcoming it tragically coincided with the start of the pandemic. Backed by his own projected image, the visuals serve to further emphasize his internal struggle and ensure that the viewer's eye is on him, no matter where they look.
Feeling In My Body
Raw vulnerability can be found here as well in "Feeling In My Body." The performance finds Burnham seated in the middle of a darkly lit room, evidently reflecting his emotional state as he speaks about that very subject.
However, when expressing his darkest and most serious feelings, he opts for an upbeat vibe, cueing up pure pop and colorful lights to cleverly play against his concerning words. The brief but memorable performance spotlights Burnham's remarkable ability to find the most effective way to express himself, even in the midst of his waning mental health.
Jeffrey Bezos Pt. 1
In the first of two parts, Burnham aims his laser-focused wit at the titular mega-billionaire in "Jeffrey Bezos Pt. 1," a perfect target for his special blend of comedy and commentary that everyone seems to enjoy. Cast in silhouette and backed by his own 80's inspired synth beat, Burnham formerly introduces the aforementioned Bezos before sarcastically hyping up the richest man in the world, finishing with a sick keyboard solo and maniacal scream.
From there, he hard cuts to himself lying on the floor amid his scattered recording equipment, airing out his thoughts on the current transactional society Bezos helped create.
Comedy
A broad yet fitting title, "Comedy" finds Bo on a mission to save the world by doing the thing he does best. A montage-laden performance, Burnham flies around devising schemes and strategies to combat the world's ills with his power of comedy.
Including ingenious use of canned laughter, Burnham delivers insightful and searing self-indictment while still managing to be absolutely hilarious, pointing out the relative futility of his contribution to these turbulent times, but forging ahead anyway. When things are looking bad, call him and he'll tell you a joke.
FaceTime With My Mom (Tonight)
In stark contrast to the title of the song, Burnham brings cinematic panache to "FaceTime With My Mom (Tonight)." The room is cast in blue light and shadow as the music builds while Bo silently prepares for that special scheduled call. As Burnham sits down and pulls out his phone, he cleverly utilizes aspect ratio to mimic a facetime screen.
Bo manages to speak to the reality of dealing with the technologically challenged while subtlely alluding to the isolation and anxiety that came from only being able to see loved ones through a screen.