Chelsea Peretti Reigns Comedy Queen in New Netflix Special
“I guess you could say I’m a direct vessel of God,” says Chelsea in the opening of her stand-up special on Netflix. Chelsea Peretti isn’t a stranger to the comedy world, but she made her Netflix debut last weekend with her special “One of the Greats.”
For newer fans of Chelsea Peretti, her outspoken confidence may be off-putting. She is extremely self-aware, and genuinely considers herself an “American treasure.” She’s joking, except she’s also 100 percent serious.
“I feel like women are frequently seen as guests in the comedy world–you know, a kid sister of the ‘real comedians.’ I like the idea of positioning myself as legendary rather than trying to fit in,” she has said.
“Now, do I see myself like that every day? No, but I think it’s a funny attitude and maybe on some weird, spiritual level, maybe it’s a good attitude.”
This attitude has allowed her to carve out her own spot in the industry.
“One of the Greats“ is run on this mentality. She addresses her issues with feminism, stereotypes, and her own personal insecurities. It is as if her jokes transition on their own, but she remains in complete control. Chelsea Peretti’s distinct comedic voice makes you want to be a part of her world. She’s able to touch on some extremely dark topics while remaining silly and light in her delivery.
Throughout the hour-long special, Peretti subtly pokes fun at comedians. She goes against the traditional stand-up format by replacing generic cutaways of laughing audience members with shots of dogs sitting in the audience and couples making out, played by some of her closest comedy colleagues.
Often, she’ll get distracted by a hallucination of herself dressed as a clown mocking her, or a talking photo of her younger self in the audience. These eccentric shots act as a buffer of the stand-up archetype, while also addressing her anxieties and self doubts.
For many of us die-hard Chelsea Peretti fans, this special is a gift that will be watched repeatedly. She has truly earned the title “One of the Greats,” and is a leader for women in the comedy world. If you are a fan of comedy with a Netflix account, I highly suggest you add this special to the top of your queue.
If you are interested in diving into the Peretti pool, you can watch her on Fox’s “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” and listen to her beloved, fan-favorite podcast, “Call Chelsea Peretti.”