In Don’t Think Twice, Joe Firestone plays an ambitious comedian who spontaneously takes lessons from Gillian Jacobs’ character. In a real-life pandemic, Firestone has to pass on what he’s learned in comedy and decides to take it to his parents via Zoom. After live entertainment venues reopened in New York that summer, he gathered his 16 students in person for the first time and prepared them for graduation.
The people he brought to class were between 66 and 88 years old:
And although some of them had tried jokes before (one woman even bragged that she sold jokes to Joan Rivers for $10!), they identified themselves. As he blandest people ever. -Serious people before choosing the Firestone path. You’ve probably seen Firestone in Shril, Joe Pera Talks With You, or High Maintenance. As a stand-up star, she also starred in and wrote for Tonight’s Show with Jimmy Fallon.
And you can feel how magical it all is when Firestone warms up audiences at significant events by asking them. “Is anyone watching a comedy show before 2 pm?” Thanks to Firestone’s skilful editing and charismatic personality. Which brings out the best in his students. We were treated to many gems during this 50-minute journey. From meeting these 16 seniors to watching them tell jokes in front of a live audience.
Dressing them up in one-on-one Firestone (or two-on-one for some couples) to introduce us not only likes us but also serves as a testament to class and something unique.
I mean, when Ziggy Super talked about working as a claims clerk at a social security agency for 35 years:
Only to reveal, “I once dreamed of being on TV, you know how big. You know, he was on The Tonight Show, blah blah. blah.” He knew he wasn’t blah. And when the camera cut through Firestone. Who was working on The Tonight Show and telling jokes, his sympathy erupted on screen. But Susser ended Undisclosed, adding, “Now I never know. It’s going to happen. You know it’s a show. It’s a part of me that I can touch now. And it’s great to have that opportunity, this to do.”
It’s also hard not to be intrigued by a blue hair named Tequila Minsky, whom Firestone describes as “famous in New York” because writer Minsky appeared in the city’s free daily newspaper.
Or don’t choke when Aunt Elvers, a confessed collector, says her husband is cute and should only have participated if he hadn’t died two years ago. The flint is your salvation. “You are great. I envy someone’s grandparents, I mean business. There are no decades between us, though there should be. But decades are not there when you are here. “
Or not gasping for air when Halane Whit not only brags about getting a $10 joke from the pretty late great Joan Rivers but also sees footage of Rivers telling Whit her jokes in a late-night monologue has sold out.
With only in the 15 minutes that was reserved for the big show:
We wouldn’t be able to see 16 students narrating their complete 3-minute set. But that’s more than good for these boomers.
I could have easily swallowed a six-part series about Firestone and his students. But I’m grateful they cut it really down to 50 minutes so we could get the best view of each. This is an excellent lesson for anyone who takes life or themselves too seriously. It’s healthy and sound, and you have to laugh.