Millennial Comedians Embrace Autofiction's Literary Influence in Stand-Up Specials
Autofiction, a genre that gained traction in the 2010s through the works of Sheila Heti, Karl Ove Knausgaard, and Ben Lerner, is becoming a significant influence on millennial comedians. Jacqueline Novak's Netflix special 'Get On Your Knees,' set to release in 2024, intertwines candid personal stories with a self-aware performance style. Jerrod Carmichael's 2022 special 'Rothaniel,' directed by Bo Burnham, includes his revelation of being gay. In 2023, Kate Berlant's show 'Kate' at London's Soho Theatre features meta-theatrical aspects. Burnham's own 2021 special 'Inside' showcases self-reflexivity. These comedians, primarily in their late thirties and early forties, seamlessly merge autobiography with fiction, utilizing pre-recorded formats influenced by works like Roth's 'Portnoy's Complaint' and Ocean Vuong's 'On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous' (2019).
Key facts
- Jacqueline Novak released the Netflix special 'Get On Your Knees' in 2024.
- Jerrod Carmichael came out as gay in his 2022 special 'Rothaniel', directed by Bo Burnham.
- Kate Berlant performed 'Kate' at London's Soho Theatre in 2023.
- Autofiction became popular in the 2010s with writers like Sheila Heti and Karl Ove Knausgaard.
- Bo Burnham's special 'Inside' was released in 2021.
- Novak references poet Sharon Olds and novelist Philip Roth in her performance.
- Carmichael's 'Reality Show' blends live comedy with documentary footage.
- The comedians are all millennial-aged, in their late-thirties or early-forties.
Entities
Artists
- Jacqueline Novak
- Jerrod Carmichael
- Kate Berlant
- Bo Burnham
- Sheila Heti
- Karl Ove Knausgaard
- Ben Lerner
- Ocean Vuong
- Elizabeth McCracken
- Sigrid Nunez
- Garth Greenwell
- Sharon Olds
- Philip Roth
- Franz Kafka
- Lenny Bruce
- Mike
Institutions
- Netflix
- Soho Theatre
- New York Times
- BBC Radio 4
- Financial Times
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom
- California
- New York
- United States