Throughout her latest stand-up special, Just Keep Livin’?, which premiered on Netflix on Jan. 3, Jen Kirkman digs deep to uncover the truth of a variety of topics including tattoos, menstruation, goth girls and mindfulness. The fresh and funny show finds laughs at every turn as the comedian alternates between long-form storytelling, one-liners and even good old-fashioned, fun Nazi jokes.
“I meditated today, motherf*cker,” Kirkman yelled near the top of the show highlighting the side effects that may arise when you re-enter the world after five minutes of morning meditation. This detailed story – hilarious in and of itself – led perfectly into her theory that people shouldn’t be allowed to act crazy in one scenario only to enter a new one as a calm, casual human being. The solution: a sex offender-esque registry that requires neighbors to reveal their inner lunacy with door-to-door introductions.
Matthew McConaughey’s inspiring catchphrase, “just keep livin’,” not only served as the inspiration for Kirkman’s special title, but it also drove her to get her one and only tattoo, at the age of 41. “I know you can sense, I’m a bit of a bad-ass… I have a tattoo,” she said before revealing the dainty “JKL” forever displayed on her ankle.
Another hilarious segment of the Netflix special showcased Kirkman detailing a solo trip to Italy. From friends and family’s confusion about traveling alone to the unwelcome advice of a ghost tour guide, the Italian adventure was full of funny recollections. Going on a self-date, loosing her virginity in her early-20s, and the hypochondriacal episode that got Kirkman banned from visiting her doctor further demonstrated her ability to create hilarious, universal jokes from personal discomfort.
Much of the later portion of the special focused on men, specifically those who mistakenly think cat-calling “nice t*ts” is a compliment. After running through a variety of alternatives to street harassment – including telling a friend, God, or simply shouting in the car with the windows rolled up – Kirkman came up with a perfect compromise. “If you must… yell about our outfit, not our bodies,” she said.
Just Keep Livin’? featured more jokes per minute than any special in recent history and it even included some bonus humor following the credits. Kirkman’s real-life parents and the actors she hired to portray them met backstage for a hilarious interaction that left viewers wanting more. Just Keep Livin’? may be one of the first specials of the year, but it undoubtedly will be one of the best, setting the bar high for hour-long comedy events throughout 2017.