The new stand-up special from Pete Davidson won't win over any skeptics, but there's something to admire in how the comedian heads straight towards edgy material, tells us he's going to go there, and still manages to surprise when he follows through. Which is to say Davidson's audacity might be more impressive than any of his actual writing in this special, with a good number of his jokes highlighting the bizarre situations his fame leads him into, but little more than that. It's stoner comedy for better or worse—observations about a strange world from a hazy point of view that may not always be coherent.
Synopsis
Pete Davidson's fourth comedy special explores what it means to grow up, turning 30, love, life, and living in the woods.
Storyline
The comedian recounts odd experiences with his mother, his stalker, and a Make-A-Wish kid.
TLDR
This being filmed in black-and-white makes about as much sense as Pete Davidson's stories, so I guess the aesthetic choice tracks.
What stands out
No matter the quality of Davidson's material, his delivery goes a long way towards helping the jokes go down easy. There's a reason the internet was once baffled by his ability to attract who they considered A-lister women celebrities; the man is self-assured and full of personality, and in a way that seems effortless. You almost forget how often he uses different voices in his comedy, because he really does come across as just a guy in a room telling a story to his friends. Again, these stories might not have much to say, but they're fun to listen to either way.
