20 Moments From Jenny Slate's First Netflix Special That Are So Relatable
Jenny Slate has been making people smile for years, thanks to her roles in movies like Obvious Child and TV shows like Parks and Recreation and Big Mouth. But now, the comedian has finally gotten a moment to let audiences to get to know her, without the veil of a character in front of her. In her Netflix special Stage Fright, Slate is completely and unabashedly herself, which is exactly what make it such a treat to watch. In fact, these 20 moments from Jenny Slate's first Netflix special are so relatable, I have never wanted to be best friends with a famous person more than I do now.
Stage Fright is not your average comedy special. While most comedians simply film themselves performing stand-up for their specials, in Stage Fright, Slate offers the audience an unfiltered look at her life through both her jokes and a documentary film involving her family. Her stand-up performance is intercut with interviews and real-life footage of Slate of interacting with her parents, sisters, and grandparents. She also spends time exploring her childhood room and contemplating her own neurotic tendencies. The result is a candid and heartfelt portrait of Slate, silly flaws and all.
01When She Showed A Home Movie Of Her Playing The Violin
Is there anything more relatable than home videos? Slate’s special is full of them, and it kicks off with an adorable video of her younger self performing an adorable violin solo. It gave me immense flashbacks to my own awkward middle school orchestra days.
02When She Was Out Of Breath From Dancing
Slate dances onto the stage at the start of her special, and she dances hard. In fact, she dances so hard she ends up out of breath standing in front of 400 audience members. Who among us hasn’t been there before (at least for the first part)?
03When She Said She's Her Own Biggest Fan
I love a good self-love moment. Slate laughing at her own joke and calling herself her own biggest fan is the confidence inspo we need.
04When She Tried To Explain Netflix To Her Parents
It's a universal truth is that the younger generation will always need to explain technology to the older generation. That’s what Slate has to do for her parents when they ask her for her Netflix password. I've never felt so seen.
05When She Felt Anxiety About Her Name
Slate has a joke in which she imagines what her life would be like if she had a less silly name, like “Susan,” and the way she pretends to be “Susan” is priceless.
06When She Read The Poetry She Wrote As A Teen
Slate's entire tour of her childhood room is so real, especially when she examines the sad poetry written on the walls of her closet. Audiences everywhere can relate to being embarrassed by their younger selves.
07When She Did Her Impression Of Her Nana
Slate's grandparents sound like the most adorable people in the world, and her impression of her grandmother telling her she's "good" is a true highlight.
08When She Called Herself A "Turtleneck As A Person"
I never thought to describe a person as a turtleneck before, but now that Slate has introduced the analogy into my life I'm never turning back.
09When She Tried On Her Nana's Dresses
Slate tries on her Nana's old dresses and models them in the bathroom for her mom, and in that moment, I felt like I was right there with her.
10When She Explained How She Gets Too Excited To Sleep
Slate is an eternal optimist and apparently her excitement keeps her from falling asleep often. Been there, girl. Been there.
11When She Picked Her Wedgie On Stage
Everybody gets wedgies, even comedians recording Netflix specials.
12When She Talked About Getting A Time Out During Hanukkah
Slate's Jewish roots are a big part of her identity, and so she talks about it a lot during the special. One of the best stories comes when she reminisces with her sisters about the time their mom punished Slate during Hanukkah by locking her outside.
13When She Explained Her Parents' House Is Full Of Ghosts
Ghost stories are almost always a part of growing up, and they were a very big part of Slate's childhood in her parents' (apparently haunted) house.
14When She Talked About Going Through Puberty Late
Puberty is a tough time for everyone, and Slate regales her audience with all the horrors of her late puberty.
15When She Went Through Her Box Of Things That Made Her Mad
"There's a lot of loneliness in here," Slate says as she sorts through a box of "things that made her mad" as a teen. She found a note about a guy named Mike who made her mad, but she had no memory of who Mike was.
16When She Said She Wanted To Be Friends With TLC
Slate explains that she didn't have a lot of friends growing up, so to compensate, she dressed like a member of the band TLC and imagined herself as one of them. Who hasn't imagined a celebrity as their best friend? (Flashback to me saying I want to be Slate's bestie just a few paragraphs ago.)
17When She Imagined Super Sweet & Gentle Football Players
Slate's idea of football sounds so much better than the real thing. She explained that she likes the sport because she imagines football players as sweet and gentle men who "rush after the toy" together. Cute.
18When She Talked About Her Stage Fright
One of Slate's most vulnerable moments is when she talks about her insecurities and her stage fright. "Right before I go on stage I am presented with this essential question, which is, 'Will they like me?'" she says. "And I know that they will once I start to talk. But I don’t earn the love unless I give something beautiful."
19When She Talked About The Date Who Showed Up Armor
Everybody has a bad date story, but Slate's might take the cake. She tells a story about a blind date who showed up in full body armor, which she called "a real knightmare." TBH, I feel better about my love life now.
20When She Danced With A Blanket
The entire special ends with Slate dancing in her parents' house with a blanket wrapped around her. It's silly and sweet, which perfectly encapsulates Slate.
You can watch Slate's Stage Fright on Netflix now.
