Latest news with #MikeBirbiglia
Yahoo
09-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Editorial: Bob Odenkirk's reflection on fatherhood hits home
When comedian Mike Birbiglia asked actor Bob Odenkirk whom he's jealous of, the Chicago-area native gave an answer that left the podcast host speechless. 'Anyone who has little kids at home,' Odenkirk said. 'There's no question,' he continued. 'I knew what I was doing when I had kids growing up. I was being a dad. I mean, that was my job. And I didn't have to ask myself, 'What am I doing here? What do I do? And how can I be a part of this world? How can I be meaningful today?' 'I understood my purpose.' That likely wasn't what Birbiglia expected the 'Breaking Bad' and 'Better Call Saul' star to say. 'Don't blink!' is the kind of advice new parents shrug off. We all think we understand what it means, but we don't really comprehend the fleeting nature of our kids' childhood while we're in it. It would be lovely to be happy to be tired, to be glad of tidying yet to be done. Of bills to pay and dinners yet to be made, hair to be brushed, socks to be folded. Not to rush through rocking a child to sleep in hopes of stealing back a moment for ourselves. In the moment, we don't realize that rest will come — quiet, too — when it's over. Odenkirk offers valuable perspective for those of us raising young kids, and nostalgic camaraderie for those of us whose kids are grown. And, even for those of us who don't have children, Odenkirk's message is a reminder that it's our relationships — and, often, our self-sacrifice — that matter more than the money we make and the accomplishments we achieve. In a society obsessed with productivity, parenting offers a rare shot at meaning that isn't tied to accolades and recognition. We would do well to value that more — not just in our words and the sentiments we express on social media, but in the policies we support and the way we structure work and family life. We're not saying being a parent is the only path to meaning. Instead, parenting is one vocation through which you can find purpose. Odenkirk's point is that this calling offered him a clear purpose in life that brought him fulfillment, but his message focuses on the importance of finding meaning in life. Others find it through acts of service, a fulfilling career or lasting relationships. We find it refreshing to hear someone who has achieved so much in the public eye share his reverence for something as universal as fatherhood. Odenkirk's comments are a reminder to those in the thick of parenting that these years matter — not just for your kids, but for you. Parenthood is purpose, even when it feels like chaos. Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@ Solve the daily Crossword
Chicago Tribune
08-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Editorial: Bob Odenkirk's reflection on fatherhood hits home
When comedian Mike Birbiglia asked actor Bob Odenkirk whom he's jealous of, the Chicago-area native gave an answer that left the podcast host speechless. 'Anyone who has little kids at home,' Odenkirk said. 'There's no question,' he continued. 'I knew what I was doing when I had kids growing up. I was being a dad. I mean, that was my job. And I didn't have to ask myself, 'What am I doing here? What do I do? And how can I be a part of this world? How can I be meaningful today?' 'I understood my purpose.' That likely wasn't what Birbiglia expected the 'Breaking Bad' and 'Better Call Saul' star to say. 'Don't blink!' is the kind of advice new parents shrug off. We all think we understand what it means, but we don't really comprehend the fleeting nature of our kids' childhood while we're in it. It would be lovely to be happy to be tired, to be glad of tidying yet to be done. Of bills to pay and dinners yet to be made, hair to be brushed, socks to be folded. Not to rush through rocking a child to sleep in hopes of stealing back a moment for ourselves. In the moment, we don't realize that rest will come — quiet, too — when it's over. Odenkirk offers valuable perspective for those of us raising young kids, and nostalgic camaraderie for those of us whose kids are grown. And, even for those of us who don't have children, Odenkirk's message is a reminder that it's our relationships — and, often, our self-sacrifice — that matter more than the money we make and the accomplishments we achieve. In a society obsessed with productivity, parenting offers a rare shot at meaning that isn't tied to accolades and recognition. We would do well to value that more — not just in our words and the sentiments we express on social media, but in the policies we support and the way we structure work and family life. We're not saying being a parent is the only path to meaning. Instead, parenting is one vocation through which you can find purpose. Odenkirk's point is that this calling offered him a clear purpose in life that brought him fulfillment, but his message focuses on the importance of finding meaning in life. Others find it through acts of service, a fulfilling career or lasting relationships. We find it refreshing to hear someone who has achieved so much in the public eye share his reverence for something as universal as fatherhood. Odenkirk's comments are a reminder to those in the thick of parenting that these years matter — not just for your kids, but for you. Parenthood is purpose, even when it feels like chaos.
Hans India
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Upcoming theatrical and OTT releases guide: May 26 – June 1 and one more
Theatrical Releases - 30 May Hollywood 1. Sister Midnight 2. Karate Kid Bollywood PRIME Releases 1. Chidiya 2. Dilli Dark 3. Tomchi 4. Love Karu Yaa Shaadi 5. Agar Magar Kintu Lekin Parantu 6. Bombay Regional Films Releases Marathi 1. Paivatechi Savali 2. Mawaali 3. Mhanje Waghache Panje 4. Ashtapadi Gujarati 1. Shubhchintak 2. Bela Malayalam 1. Soothravakyam 2. Once Upon A Time There Was A Kallan 3. The Real Kerala Story 4. Moonwalk 5. Nerariyum Nerathu 6. Shaman Telugu 1. Bhairavam 2. X Roads Tamil 1. The Verdict 2. Raja Puthiran 3. Jinn - The Pet 4. Manidhargal Kannada School Leader Bengali Sonar Kellay Jawker Dhan OTT Releases: 23rd May – 8th June 2025 Jio Hotstar 1. Criminal Justice - A Family Matters (Hindi)– 29 May 2. A Complete Unknown (English) – 30 May 5 3. Captain America - Brave New World (English) – 28 May 4. Find The Farzi with Karishma (Hindi) – 30 May Sony LIV KanKhajura (Hindi) – 30 May Netflix 1. Mike Birbiglia - The Good Life (English) – 26 May 2. A Widow's Game (Spanish) – 30 May 3. Lost in Starlight (Korean) – 30 May 4. The Heart Knows (English) – 30 May 5. HIT: The Third Case (Multi-Lingual) – 29 May 6. Sikandar (Hindi)– 25 May AppleTV+ 1. Bono - Stories of Surrender (English) – 30 May 2. Lulu Is a Rhinoceros (English) – 30 May ZEE5 Agnyathavasi (Kannada) – 28 May Amazon Prime Video 1. Sarangapani Jathakam (Telugu) – 23 May 2. Tantra (Telugu) – 24 May Sun NXT #Viral Prapancham (Tamil) – 23 May Additional OTT update: Rana Naidu S2 on Netflix – 8 June 2025
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
New on Netflix May 24-30: 6 new shows, movies and specials picked by our expert
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Whether you're looking for drama, documentary or romance, Netflix has got you covered this week with a range of new additions arriving, and we'll help you find the best to watch. As What to Watch's streaming editor, my job is to keep an eye on everything coming to Netflix to see what's worth watching or reporting on, and every week I compile a curated list of the must-watch new additions. This week's list covers new Netflix Originals coming between Saturday, May 24 and Friday, May 30. Some of these shows could end up on our list of the best Netflix shows and best Netflix movies, and I've picked a range of options so that you'll find something, whatever you're into. There's the usual mix of content then, with a stand-up show, true crime documentary, sporting docuseries, crime drama, Euro-thriller and animated story. So let's find you something to watch on Netflix this week. First up this week is the three-part true crime docuseries Cold Case: The Tylenol Murders as a spiritual successor to last year's Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey. The new series tells the story of Chicago's 1982 bout of poisonings, which saw seven people die after consuming Tylenol (a US painkiller) that was laced with cyanide. This case sparked a huge investigation to identify the perpetrator, while also affecting people's trust in over-the-counter medication. Will Netflix get to the bottom of the case? You can probably tell based on the name but it'll teach you all about the case at least. Releases on Monday, May 26 American comedian and Orange is the New Black actor Mike Birbiglia gets his fourth Netflix stand-up special with The Good Life, which releases this week. The Good Life will see Birbiglia make jokes and tell stories about how his dad has affected his own parenting, and how his father's health makes him more conscious about his own pancake consumption. Releases on Monday, May 26 A new series for fans of Drive to Survive arrives this week, with all episodes of F1: The Academy streaming at once. F1: The Academy looks at the women learning to be Formula 1 drivers in the same-titled F1 Academy. It'll follow 15 of them as they compete to be crowned the top drivers while the leader of the academy tries to champion the role of women in the motorsport. Releases on Wednesday, May 28 Dept. Q is a new British police series based on a franchise of Danish noir novels (which have already seen numerous movie versions), which transplants the action from Scandinavia to Scotland. The story follows a disgraced Edinburgh detective who's assigned to Department Q, a cold case unit. Instead of seeing it as a career death he turns around the department as it welcomes other new workers, and together they solve the case of a civil servant who disappeared. Releases on Thursday, May 29 Coming from Korea we've got a new romance anime movie, which is apparently the streamer's first "Korean Original Animated Film". Lost in Starlight is set in 25 years time and it follows the blossoming romance between an astronaut who fails her test to go to Mars, and a musician who's unable to make it big. Together they rekindle each other's passion in their dreams, which goes awry when the astronaut is given a second chance to go to Mars. Releases on Friday, May 30 Another international movie to end the week, and this one is a Spanish thriller set in 2017. A Widow's Game is about an investigation into the stabbing of a Valencia man, which quickly seems to have been carried out by his wife. As the picture becomes more clear, it seems that the widow has her own plans which may not involve getting caught. Releases on Friday, May 30
New York Times
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
6 Very Different Specials Worth Your Time on the Long Holiday Weekend
Sarah Silverman, 'PostMortem' 'Death is really hard for me,' Sarah Silverman says with the kind of impeccably performed earnestness that makes you believe her banal statement for just long enough to be sideswiped by the punchline. 'And that's what makes me unique.' What actually makes Silverman different is that few others would handle the death of a father and stepmother in the same month by joking merrily about merch. 'I really feel like my parents would want me to monetize this,' she says. No amount of tragedy is going to turn Silverman into a maudlin solo artist. Her funniest jokes employ sarcasm, not sincerity. Despite its subject matter, this new hour is, in some ways, classic Silverman terrain, with raunchy bits and Hitler references. I wouldn't even call it her most personal special. The closest she gets to philosophizing is a long chunk about the ignored life of the fly. Attention must be paid. She pays tribute to the memory of her parents through descriptions in loving detail. As those who saw her 2022 musical 'The Bedwetter' know, her father clearly passed down a warmhearted, open-book sensibility. She ends with a scene from his last days, a beautiful (and gross) account of helping him pee. The most moving moment to me, though, was her consideration of the last words of her stepmother: 'Your hair. It's so dry.' Silverman looks grateful: 'She always told me the truth.' Mike Birbiglia, 'The Good Life' Mike Birbiglia dislikes the friends of his 9-year-old daughter. Watching them, he quips, 'makes me really not understand pedophilia.' That may not sound like a Birbiglia joke to you, but despite being a mostly clean, NPR- and Lincoln Center-approved comic, he has long been drawn to secrets, small transgressions and the humorous possibilities of being unlikable. He's just not flamboyant about it. Birbiglia's reputation doesn't always match up to his peculiar talents. For instance, he's well known for mainstreaming intricate narratives in American stand-up, but his shows are as dense with punchlines as any club comic's. He's also pricklier than he seems. When he wades into taboo, however, there tends to be a purpose. His pedophilia joke tells us he's not always a sweetheart of a dad. This masterly new show is about life in the sandwich generation, trying to answer questions from your daughter (What is the good life? Who is Jesus?) while caring for a father after a stroke. While Silverman's dad clearly enjoyed her style of jokes, that's not the case here. Birbiglia presents his father as remote, stoic, and unhappy with crude or personal comedy. They are opposites in child-raising styles, too. His father was often absent and seemed to know everything. Birbiglia and his wife have the hallmarks of Brooklyn helicopter parents. Summing up their practical knowledge, Birbiglia does some math: 'She's a poet. I'm a comedian. Together, we're a sculptor.' The climax involves a fight with his father over a political joke Birbiglia told. This is the moment when I wished Birbiglia had spilled more secrets, like sharing the actual gag. His strength, a refined structure, can become a weakness, making his work schematic, but more than in the past, he injects mess and mystery here. Parts don't get neatly tied up. The argument ends brusquely and also without clear resolution. The show is about coming to grips with this charged meeting, a reframing of it. It leaves us with the knowledge that we never really understand our parents. And why would we? We were all absent during their formative years. Emily Wilson, 'Fixed' At 15, Emily Wilson appeared on 'The X Factor,' a reality television music competition whose judges included Simon Cowell and Nicole Scherzinger. It did not go well. Over a decade later, in a tightly edited, self-demolishing multimedia performance, she puts all her humiliations onstage, reflecting on and transforming them into deadpan jokes, hustling dances and peppy songs. It's a hoot, albeit one with dark undertones about our current exhibitionist culture. There's a touch of Bo Burnham in her deadpan songs, but the self-portrait is most perceptive on the specific world of kid singing groups. Why must their names all use puns? Her double act is AusEm, because her name is Emily and her partner's is Austin. Wilson is particularly funny capturing the cringey desperation of a child star. She handles her youthful ambition with light mockery, the biggest laughs coming from delusions and rationalizations. 'Look you guys,' she tells the audience, 'there's people who tell the truth. And then there's winners.' Jerrod Carmichael, 'Don't Be Gay' Can Jerrod Carmichael go back to basics? That's what he seems to be trying to do in this new effort, a return to cynical, punchy jokes that introduce themselves with a dash of shock (see the title). Before he came out of the closet in a moody, sit-down performance in 'Rothaniel,' then made his own navel-gazing reality show, Carmichael was a gifted club comic. His new hour has more laughs per minute than his recent work, and his attention-getting premises, among them children's funerals, aren't as sad as you might think. But conventional stand-up alternates now with confessional long thoughts, about the details of being in an open relationship or the cultural meaning of D'Angelo. There's more comedy in the former, and more freshness in the latter; still, he hasn't entirely figured out how to fuse them. Often, he'll have a take about his life that he shoehorns into a broad premise that applies to everyone. But Carmichael's different. Pushing his leather coat over his shoulders, he carries himself with the swagger and self-regard of a pop star between songs. 'Have you ever been the smartest person in the room?' he asks. 'That's me in church.' Notably, his work doesn't just avoid topicality. It exists apart from a changing social and political climate. And that also raises questions. Carmichael begins and ends his set with bits likening racism to homophobia, but what really seems to be on his mind is class. He jokes about how giving money to his family is turning him into a 'Reagan-era Republican.' We're in a different era now. It would be interesting to hear what he has to say about it. Greg Warren, 'The Champ' Did you know fishing is a sport? Imagine the cheerleaders. That's all it takes for a solid premise. Greg Warren gets this. His appealing, all-American observational humor begins with such sound, simple ideas, executed with commitment. Produced by Nate Bargatze, who shares his family-friendly, slice-of-life style, Warren takes on a big, bland subject like poison ivy or Walgreens, then sits with it, attacking from a dizzying number of angles. He likes to exaggerate and play dumb. Don't expect him to know what a stucco house is. 'Sounds like a clown who can't get out of stuff,' he jokes. His breakout special, 'The Salesman,' leaned on his years working at Procter & Gamble to do a stickily memorable riff on peanut butter. This time, after telling stories about his losses as a college wrestler, he captures the texture of university athletics in all its absurdity. Even when he's doing an elaborate cheer for angling, you get the sense that he's joking about something he knows deeply. Comedian CP, 'Sunday After Six' Charisma goes a long way. A little can make decent jokes into great ones. A lot makes a taped special feel live. I had that feeling watching the new hour from Christopher Powell, known as Comedian CP, an actor and stand-up who has appeared on 'Detroiters' and 'Empire.' His bits take on familiar subjects (flirting post-#MeToo, white people vs. Black people), but he handles them with such riotous gusto, you'll be happy to revisit them. His description of making up a more hood persona for his white girlfriend, then running into trouble when he brings her home to his Black family is very funny. He is an exciting presence when animated, but also comfortable holding the stage in silence. His go-to move is taking a stand, then asking if he would believe the same thing in a hostage situation with his life on the line. You can guess what happens, but you'll crack up just the same.
