The astronomical success of Bo Burnham’s 2021 comedy special Inside reveals a universal truth: comedy is inherently tied to all extremes of the human experience.
Burnham himself recognises the complicated relationship between his comedy and mental health, having taken a four-year hiatus due to his panic attacks on stage.
Conversely, Inside exists in a state of flux – the viewer is a voyeur watching the specific deterioration of one man’s mental health in isolation. And yet, they find catharsis in its commonality. Equal parts pervasive and perversive, it is irrefutable that Burnham’s special uniquely encapsulates the spirit of the times.
From John Cleese to James Acaster, the breadth of the comedic spectrum proves how distinctively personal humour is, and how engrained it is in public life. It should therefore come as no surprise that Bristol University is piloting a wellbeing course based on stand-up this month.
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