Joe Pera

[PSPS]

So I discovered this "Joe Pera Talks To You" series on Adult Swim and am rather taken by it. I had never heard of Joe Pera before this but, apparently, he's been on various shows as a stand-up comedian. It's likely most of you reading this already know of him.

While this series is humorous in many ways, it also strikes me as unique, almost subversive in its storytelling. Pera apparently writes all of these and the writing is as sharp as anything I've ever seen. It blends perfectly with his delivery style. Underneath a very thin veneer of humor, the series seems to me to explore some of the most personal feelings and experiences a person has in their life. In fact, it seems like it could represent some kind of cultural shift.

On the other hand, its being broadcast at 12:30 AM may have something to do with my perception. One's state of mind is different at that hour.

Anyway, each episode is 15 minutes long and they're played in pairs back to back as individual episodes. The 'season' just ended with the only 30 minute episode in the season: "Joe Pera Answers Your Questions about Cold Weather Sports." All the episodes can be seen on the Adult Swim website. As a sample, here's a 5-minute YouTube video that gives you a partial glimpse of his work:

[cyclonefence]

1. I discovered Joe Pera several weeks ago

and was instantly hooked. The first one I saw was about the family touring his house as a result of a prank "For Sale" sign in his front yard. The beauty of this little gem lies imo in its ability to skate very, very close to the uncomfortable without crossing that line; the episodes always end in sweetness. On many of them, Joe seems to be perilously close to having his feelings irretrievably hurt (the Great Rat War I guess is the worst for him), but things always work out for him. I hope he continues to make these wonderful little stories. The world is a better place because of Joe Pera.

Adult Swim, btw, is the repository for many wonders, showing most nights at 4 a.m. Or I guess that's mornings. I record every one of them.

[Uncle Joe]

2. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread PSPS