Customer Reviews

Plan B

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The relatively free-form one-woman show Bamford offers here, apparently recorded (as the disc and its package won't tell you anywhere) sometime around 2005 or 2006, takes bits from her standup routines and also looks as if it served as the first shaping of what had been various jokes and stories for what would be elaborated in THE MARIA BAMFORD SHOW, the web series which is included in its entirety in the UNWANTED THOUGHTS SYNDROME cd/dvd package, which is also highly recommended. However, what distinguishes this disc from her other solo appearances is the inclusion of videotape seqments of Bamford wandering around her old hometown of Duluth, reminiscing and making a few acerbic observations about the current state of things in the city...as well as interview segments in the company of her parents and her older pug dog, Blossom. (Sadly, Maria's sister Sarah doesn't participate in these, nor in the often very funny commentaries apparently recorded by the three Bamfords in 2008 or 2009...again, a rough estimate driven by some passing references, since the DVD package exists in a timeless realm.) Also included, sans commentary, is a portion of a staging of the same show (or at least a standup performance which covers some of the same material) from Melbourne, Australia (and one might detect a slight Oz accent in the audience laughter). Maria Bamford and her folks "demythologize" much of the comedic exaggeration of her autobiographical material, but that doesn't hurt a bit, and it's quite charming to see and hear their interaction even when one or another Bamford is getting (slightly) on the nerves of another; their banter is very natural-sounding.

I love her casual approach to developing characters. I started to get drawn into her mother and her agent; they felt like real people after a while. This is a great theater piece. I'm sure there are some who get confused with her show abut a show narrative, but it's cleaver and I loved this work.

Finally, a DVD of nothing but the Bammer! Comedians of Comedy was great, but I've always wanted more than just a few minutes of Maria on screen. Here we get more than conventional stand-up comedy, it's a brilliant long-form one woman show. Some of the material is from her previous albums, but that doesn't bother me, it's like a greatest hits disc. There is quite a bit of hysterical new material about her recent stay in Duluth with her family, so if you want new stuff there is plenty here for you. The only bad thing about this DVD is that I wasn't at the show to see it live. Thanks for making me laugh Maria!

This is a must-see for Bamford fans. But the vignettes aren't as polished as you'll see similar or same material in her stand-up, but it's weaved together to form a story arc. A must-see for fans of original comedy and comic acting.

Bamford lets you in on her family life and origins of her humor in this DVD. I greatly enjoyed it.

The live performance features some of Bamford's best material, relating to insecurities, social discomfort, family, friends, etc. Bamford does hilarious impressions of her family members and arch enemy (who may be fictional) amongst others. This is not a typical live performance. It's more a performance piece meant to make you feel as if you've entered Maria's world.

As a bonus, Maria included an interview which shows her everyday home life. This is another funny portion of the video, but more off the cuff which is entertaining in a different way compared to the live performance.

The DVD features the option to hear Maria and her parents comment over the actual performance and interview portions. Hearing her actual parents is entertaining on different levels.

I highly recommend this DVD for anyone into comedy.