Bo Burnham's second stand-up special, "what.," is truly a work of genius. Whenever you watch him perform, you know it's going to be a show. His inventive ways of using technology are as gimmicky as it gets — perhaps the furthest from traditional stand-up — but the results are mind-blowing. In "what," he experiments with introspective comedy, miming for perfectly timed sounds and his own narration, singing and rapping about controversial subjects, reading weird and inappropriate poems, and creating a mix of gags involving flamboyant tricks.
It's a somewhat tumultuous production, but he keeps it cohesive and neatly structured all the way. He combines his stage persona with his real self, exploring thoughts and ideas about performing, insecurity, and mental health struggles. His segues are fast, forcing the audience to keep up with his quick thinking, which is not always easy to follow. He breaks barriers and regular expectations, frequently changing the pace but leaving enough breathing space for the crowd to catch up. Yet what really makes this gig brilliant is his keen awareness and analysis of himself. One moment, he's self-criticizing, and the next, he's praising his own brilliance. It's an effective self-deprecating routine brought to climax in a finale that's one of the best-crafted endings to a comedy show ever. Burnham's style isn't for everyone, but he clearly proves why he became one of the most popular and celebrated comedians for younger audiences.
