Where to start with Pete Davidson …
First thing’s first, Pete’s a funny guy. He had a lot going for him when he began his career. He’s multiracial, awkward and at the time, very young. He used all those characteristics to poke fun at himself in a delightfully charming way.
Now, with his new Netflix special, Alive From New York, he just seems vindictive, lazy and really mean. He immediately starts the special with a recount of a run-in with disgraced comedian, Louis C.K.. He goes on to bash Louie for criticizing him after working with each other on an episode of SNL. I’m not defending Louie, because he’s a bad person, but taking advantage of his connection to the guy isn’t a good look either.
Pete then follows that up with an explanation for his joke about U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw that almost got him cancelled for being insensitive Although I don’t think Pete’s intention was to mock a war veteran, it was still worded poorly. He did the right thing and apologized for that joke, but in the new special, he goes on to undo the apology and double down!
And then … knowing what everyone is dying to hear, follows THAT up with a recap of his break up with Ariana Grande. He then goes on to bash her. However you feel about their romance, he comes off as a dick here. He starts off by empathizing with the singer and once again immediately trashing her. I just don’t understand it.
I’d be lying if I didn’t have a few chuckles during the 49 minute special … but that’s it. I cringed more times than I laughed, in fact.
There’s something about ‘Alive From New York’ that seems … sloppy. It almost seems like he threw the whole set together just minutes before going on stage. Most of the jokes don’t land, and he kept getting cheap laughs by making weird voices and yelling. A specific example can be seen in the following video … in the trailer to the special.Â
Final Thoughts
It appears Netflix gave Davidson his own special simply because he’s been trending for the last couple years … be it a good or bad thing. He then uses the special to address every negative thing that’s happened to him. More than using his talent as a genuinely funny guy, he uses the platform to air out his dirty laundry, which some would say made him more famous than SNL.
I really believe if Pete Davidson took more time to craft the jokes and tighten up some of the awkward moments, it’d be really funny. But … here we are. I’m holding onto the hope he will do better next time.
Our Rating: 4/10
