Hannah Gadsby: Nanette
Last weekend I was scrolling through Netflix looking for something to watch and I stopped on Hannah Gadsby’s Netflix special Nanette. I read the little intro and determined I just wasn’t in the mood to pay the attention needed to watch and listen to an Australian stand-up comedian. So I settled on Portlandia.
A few days later, blogger Bob Lefsetz wrote a missive about Nanette and re-piqued my interest. Usually, the stuff he recommends is pretty good. Not always, but certainly more often than not. In any event, I filed the post away and figured I’d get to the Hannah Gadsby special when I got to it.
Last night I got to it.
Last night Hannah Gadsby got to me.
I do not say this lightly, but this is the single most important piece of stand-up (and it is so much more) that you will see this year (I might argue it’s the single most important piece of art you’ll see this year). Nanette is awesome, funny, jaw dropping, awe-inspiring, thought-provoking, et al.
To attempt to put into words what Gadsby delivers is to spoil the experience and the feeling of Nanette flowing over you and worming its way into your psyche.
Hannah Gadsby’s performance is peerless.
As a comedian, Gadsby is good and you will certainly laugh but may find yourself scratching your head as to how she landed a Netflix special. Stick with it. You’ll find out.
Look, Gadsby is a lesbian so if you’re on an ill-advised anti-LGTBQ trip, skip this special. Similarly, if you have some sort of bizarre animus towards Australians (more specifically Tasmanian’s), you’ll also want to skip this special. AND, if you are a MAGA supporter, don’t bother (although you really should).
I can’t say much more other than you really need to watch Hannah Gadsby’s Nanette. It may not change your life, but it will make you wonder about the life your living.
Watch it.
