Courtesy of FOX
Warning: Spoiler Alert
People say, “I think I’m becoming more like my Dad”. I think I’m becoming more like my Mom. This is a bit that the John Mulaney standup enthusiasts are familiar with. Then he adds a twist. A bit that was used in his most recent standup tour (also considered the promote the ‘Mulaney’ series tour). This new bit is not something captured on a CD or Comedy Central special. Well played.
I just realized something and I’m ashamed to admit it. Every show begins with the John Mulaney standup cold open. Then the credits. Then the opening scene. Between credits and opening scene is a short voice-over that says, “Mulaney is taped before a live studio audience”. I’ve never paid that much attention to it. It just dawned on me the voice in the voice-over belongs to Law and Order SVU star and former gangster rapper Ice T. And for our big time John Mulaney fans that is increasingly funny because John is known for a number of things. One of which is his growing number of bits about Law and Order. Maybe the funniest of which includes a story about watching Ice T on SVU. Just thought I’d mention it.
It seems this episode is headed toward the “Irish don’t like comfort” and “my mother is super religious” portion of the John Mulaney catalog. Sprinkle in Jane talking about her new lawyer boyfriend no one wants to hear about. And the inevitable and always enjoyable, Oscar moment.
During the opening scene, Jane starts in on her boyfriend which John and Motif could not possibly care any less about. Birth control comes up and Jane happens to sum it up as the pill convincing your body it’s already pregnant. This surprises Motif, who previously had no idea what the scientific explanation is. In his head the pill is playing a game of space invaders against the attack of sperm.
John’s mother arrives and it’s everything you’d expect. A slight caricature of the Mrs. Mulaney portrayed in the standup. Completely in the dark about who John is currently. Then she is introduced to Lou Cannon. While Lou is willing to tolerate only so much ‘Mom banter’, his attitude changes when she appeals to his ability as a serious actor. Then Lou gets that look in his face that indicates he’s considering pursuing this woman. Lou invites her to a Yankee game with Letterman and John gives the telegraphed but always funny, “wait…what?”
The birth control is affecting Jane. Making her more “Jane-y” than normal. HUGE sweat stains. And the attitude is in overdrive.
Motif: Mood swings. I think that Jazzapram is messing with you.
Jane: The only think Jazzapram is doing is letting me have stress free boning with that TNT Drama looking dude.
Lou takes John and his mother around “his New York” and continues his flirty ways with Mom. While she runs into a department store to use the rest room, John tells Lou he has to cancel the Yankee game invite. Lou cannot lie to this particular woman. So then John has an idea. He needs the priest of a local catholic church to tell John’s mother that his name is priest ‘Tre’, he’s young and cool, they shoot hoops every weekend and John attends mass every week. The Priest is Irish, old and grey. And refuses to lie many times to John’s mother.
John actually takes the priest’s advice and prays. Which Jane witnesses and is for lack of a better term, grossed out. Then John and his mother are in church. Where an older lady approaches and announces that mass will be conducted by a visiting priest, “Father Tre”. Played by Pete Holmes. Another standup comedian who had a short-lived late night show on TBS and does great work with CollegeHumor.com. Father Tre, basically conducts his sermon the exact same way I’d expect Pete Holmes to do it if it were a bit. John is riveted. Not only at the efficient power of prayer, but also because the sermon is delivered like a standup set. Premise, buildup, punch line, repeat.
Mom HAS to say hello to Father Tre after the service is over. John tries intently to not draw attention to himself, because he knows this Father Tre doesn’t know him. And just then after shaking Mom’s hand, looks to John and says, “You too John. Good to see you.” Apparently Father Tre has seen some work John did on VH1. Then informs John that Father Ed passed away last night. Around the same time John prayed asking for help with this church issue. So now, John’s Roman Catholicism is putting the blame for the death of Father Ed squarely on his shoulders.
The further Jazzapram issue has turned Jane into a female facsimile of Andre. Then she read the warning label on the medication. What she read pretty much described Andre to a t. Previously we learned that Andre has also been on Jazzapram. There’s a knock at the door and Andre walks in. Hair combed with product, a trimmed beard, a black suit and Andre speaking clearly and articulating. All because he’s no longer on Jazzapram.
John runs over to Oscar’s apartment and confesses that he thinks his prayers killed a priest. Oscar’s solution is to prove John can’t kill anyone with his prayers. And to do this, Oscar wants John to pray that Oscar’s fern (named Connie Chung) dies. Then Oscar creates an analogy to John’s “you wouldn’t understand”. That being that Oscar was in the closet from 1938 to 1975.
TNT Drama guy is turning out to be not as advertised. Jane thought he was a feminist. Instead he just hates using condoms. He suggest that Jane do something instead of conventional intercourse and she replies in that fake enthusiastic way she has just before she lashes out.
Jane: Hello, 911? Yeah, there’s a naked man in my room.
John decides to come clean with his mother. She assumes he’s about to tell her he’s gay. He’s straight, just delicate. He then informs her that he is not friends with Father Tre and that he never goes to church anymore. She replies without skipping a beat, “I kissed Lou”. Turns out, for now at least, Mom is perfectly alright with John not going to church as long as he figures it out eventually and doesn’t wake up at 60 to find out he’s just like Lou Cannon.
In the close, TNT Drama guy returns not happy about the 911 call. Then a ripped guy walks up asking if he was the guy that hurt Jane. The ripped guy is supposed to be Andre a week off the pill. Then Oscar opens his door and puts a dead fern outside the apartment and says, “Sorry Connie”.
