10 Best Stand-Up Comedy Specials Of The Last Decade On Netflix
9. Sarah Silverman: A Speck Of Dust
Sarah Silverman's first special in four years- following a health scare in 2016- is a reminder of just how talented a comic she is. With captivating story- telling, brilliant dead pan expression, and swerves that leave the audience in hysterics, Silverman delivers a stellar performance in A Speck of Dust.
Silverman is a talented story teller who excels in creating comedic tension by juxtaposing her warm stage presence with the discussions of taboo topics, such as raunchier elements of her sex life and stereotypes about Judaism.
While exuding a charming, endearing side, Silverman also has a deadpan, somewhat egotistical, stage presence. The self-centered element of her stage persona allows Silverman to be humours in her boasting, such as when she doubles back to give kudos to herself for her clever "throw away joke".
The Wreck-It Ralph star uses effective tools throughout her special, such as constantly telling the audience to "put a pin in that" when she interrupts her own story to go off on a separate tangent. Silverman is also consistently telling herself to get 'back on track' and to "focus" every time she starts doing crowd work or improvises, which provides a very authentic element to her performance.
Between Silverman's charming and warm presence, clever material and funny misdirections, A Speck of Dust delivers the goods.