Netflix's latest offering, Everybody's Live With John Mulaney, has stirred up discussions around its second episode aired recently, particularly in light of the platform's reported discontent with the show's inaugural outing. John Mulaney, a staple of comedy with roots in Saturday Night Live, has crafted a unique blend of sketch comedy and casual conversation that sets the tone for this unrehearsed variety show. Yet, it seems that Netflix executives were seeking something "buzzy and exciting," particularly when it came to guest selection.
During the first episode, Mulaney featured comedic talent Fred Armisen and folk icon Joan Baez, but Netflix wanted more star power, something that could potentially draw in larger audiences. Evidently, their criteria were not met, leading to a version of Everybody's Live that reflects Mulaney's distinctly wry and outsider sensibility rather than a more conventional star-studded lineup.
In the second episode, which saw its premiere recently, the guest roster included notable figures such as Quinta Brunson, Nick Kroll, and Ben Stiller, alongside cruise ship expert Anne Kalosh. Strikingly, rather than dive deeply into their respective careers, the conversations meandered into quirky and humor-driven topics—a hallmark of Mulaney’s light-hearted comedic style.
Mulaney himself quipped on the divisiveness of cruise ships—calling them "the most divisive issue of our time"—which transitioned into a lively discussion with audience call-ins. This light-hearted, breezy style could indeed help explain Netflix’s desire for a more gripping narrative; it doesn't meet conventional expectations associated with high-profile guests in a live talk show format.
The evening’s conversations were filled with moments of spontaneous humor. For instance, a long-winded caller was jokingly but gently cut off by Mulaney, who pointed out that the story was "becoming a yarn." A particular highlight occurred during a segment with a former cruise ship dancer who humorously divulged that he was expected to deal with unruly passengers using a supplied lifeboat gun, all while donned in a spangly dance outfit. Such quirky anecdotes served to reflect the unpredictable nature of Mulaney's format.
Adding to the humor, the show incorporated a filmed segment with an L.A.-based rabbi discussing the movie Crimson Tide, diverging from religious themes into a purely entertaining exploration of the film's legendary actors. This kind of disjointed engagement emphasizes Mulaney’s approach, which often borders on absurdity, optimistic yet deeply comedic.
One of the more notable surprises came when Vanessa Bayer appeared in a segment as Netflix’s AI assistant named Jerica. This deadpan, humorous cameo involved Bayer presenting ludicrous recommendations based on viewers' past watching habits. In a comedic bit, she quipped, "Hello, I’m Jerica, your Netflix AI executive assistant," and went on to note viewer habits such as watching "bad stand-up special, good stand-up special, dog shit special…" with a seemingly absurd yet humorous suggestion to check out a documentary about a collector of Furbies—that turns out to be gay.
This kind of humor at the streamer’s expense continued as Mulaney poked fun at the ranking arrangement of his show. He noted its placement next to varying genres such as Latino culture clash sitcoms and Tyler Perry soap operas, stating, "the Netflix viewers have spoken loud and clear and they are saying, 'We will watch whatever you show us.'" This self-aware critique of content consumption resonates with audiences, especially in today’s varied landscape of entertainment.
As the show neared its conclusion, music took center stage. The episode featured music legends Kim Gordon and Kim Deal who performed a poignant rendition of "Little Trouble Girl"—much to the delight of Mulaney and the audience. This live performance not only highlighted Mulaney's influential inspirations but also became a touching moment celebrating the rich history of music that informed his comedic sensibilities.
With layered guest interactions and a distinctive comedic tone, the second episode of Everybody’s Live reinforces John Mulaney's place as a unique voice in the entertainment landscape. Rather than bend to corporate expectations or conventional television premises, he decidedly elevates the casual and the quirky, effectively creating a warm environment that feels more like a gathering of friends than a polished entertainment product.
Episode three of Everybody’s Live With John Mulaney is set to stream live on Netflix on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT. Whether or not Netflix's executives will find their expectations met remains to be seen, but fans of Mulaney can certainly anticipate more humor-laden interactions and surprising twists in the episodes to come.
