By admin 
Mary Beth Barone is bracing herself for a potential backlash with her debut Netflix special, "Galaxy Brain." The comedian and actor has even compiled a list of individuals she anticipates might take offense, a roster that notably includes J.K. Rowling, Mark Zuckerberg, and male comedians in general. "I’m just fully ready to get it out there and see who’s mad at me," Barone shared with Variety via Zoom, a mischievous glint in her eye. For Barone, who honed her craft in the vibrant New York City comedy club scene before achieving wider recognition through popular podcasts like "Obsessed" and "Ride," co-hosted with her close collaborator Benito Skinner, this Netflix special represents the culmination of years of dedicated work and artistic development.
The journey to "Galaxy Brain" was a deliberate one. Over the past two years, Barone meticulously workshopped material while undertaking extensive touring. This period of refinement allowed her to cultivate a rich and nuanced set, preparing her for the next significant step: seeking out distribution. Last summer, she began exploring potential buyers for her special, and the process moved with surprising alacrity. A mere few weeks after a performance in Los Angeles in August, Netflix extended an offer, a moment Barone describes with palpable awe. "I don’t feel excitement very much, but that was a moment where I was like, ‘Holy shit, this is actually happening,’" she confessed. "It’s such a career milestone for any comedian and I just felt like, ‘Woah, they said yes.’"
However, Barone’s willingness to engage with challenging subjects extends even to the platform that is now showcasing her work. In the opening ten minutes of "Galaxy Brain," filmed at New York City’s prestigious Skirball Center in March, she playfully skewers Netflix, highlighting the relative scarcity of women-led specials and satirizing their advice for captivating audiences. This self-aware introduction immediately establishes the special’s tone: one of unflinching honesty and a commitment to exploring taboo subjects. Over the course of the hour-long performance, Barone fearlessly delves into a wide array of topics, including the problematic behavior of men in her industry, the societal implications of Ozempic, the complexities of sex, and the often-contentious realm of politics.
Barone’s comedic philosophy is rooted in a desire to challenge the status quo and empower marginalized voices. "I’m sure some of [the jokes] will be a little bit shocking, but I think women and queer people get shit on enough," she stated with conviction. "And it’s time to shit on people back." This sentiment underscores her approach to comedy as a form of social commentary and a tool for recalibrating power dynamics.
Delving deeper into the creative process behind "Galaxy Brain," Barone revealed the extensive evolution of her material. "When I first started doing the hour, I would say it was probably 90% different material," she explained. The dynamic nature of life and the evolving cultural landscape necessitate a constant process of updating and refining jokes to ensure they remain both current and enduring. Barone’s aim is to craft material that resonates with audiences long after its initial release, a challenging feat in an era of rapid information consumption. She strives for a delicate balance, weaving together topical observations with historical anecdotes, such as references to the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire or the enduring enigma of Jack the Ripper, to create a tapestry of humor that is both timely and timeless. Even seemingly ephemeral references, like "Wicked," are considered for their lasting cultural relevance.
The decision to openly address the industry’s treatment of women in comedy, particularly within the initial moments of "Galaxy Brain," was a deliberate choice to set an authentic tone. Barone acknowledged that Netflix provided considerable creative freedom, with no requests for content cuts. However, she candidly incorporated the streamer’s well-intentioned, yet somewhat formulaic, advice about capturing audience attention within the first three minutes. "They were really great about… they didn’t have me cut anything," Barone clarified. "They definitely gave me some best practices – that thing about getting people’s attention in the first three minutes was an actual conversation that we had. And I’m a good student, so of course I was going to try to do that." Her inclusion of this anecdote serves as a meta-commentary on the pressures and expectations placed upon comedians, especially women, to immediately engage and entertain.
Barone’s perspective on the current state of comedy, particularly for women and the LGBTQ+ community, is cautiously optimistic. She credits the internet with democratizing the comedy landscape, allowing performers to build audiences independently and bypassing traditional gatekeepers. "The internet, of course, has done really, really good things for comedy and then some not so good things for comedy," she mused. "But what’s great is it’s made comedy more democratic, because people can start with live performance and post online and then they create their own audience; the right people find them." This shift has fostered a more inclusive environment, enabling more women and queer individuals to pursue stand-up careers and achieve financial stability. She contrasted this with her early days in the industry, which were heavily dominated by the club scene, where access and opportunities were often limited by gender. The proliferation of independent venues in cities like New York, Pittsburgh, Denver, and Chicago has created a more fertile ground for diverse voices.
The comedian’s willingness to call out specific male comedians, including Chris D’Elia, and to reference public figures like J.K. Rowling, Woody Allen, and Mark Zuckerberg, stems from a desire to challenge figures of influence and address perceived injustices. "I wanted to strike a balance between cultural references and general experiences and moving through the world with my unique point of view, but there were just certain names that I felt like belonged in the canon of this special," Barone explained. Her objective is to offer a fresh, perhaps even provocative, perspective on these individuals that others might not be able or willing to articulate. "So I do hope that’s where I landed with these ones, and I’m sure some of them will be a little bit shocking, but I think women and queer people get shit on enough and it’s time to shit on people back."
The inclusion of a joke about Ozempic, which playfully riffs on Kim Kardashian’s infamous "get your fucking ass up and work" comment (a statement she also made to Variety), highlights Barone’s exploration of potentially controversial topics. She acknowledges the inherent risks of material that might be misinterpreted or cause offense, particularly in the age of social media where jokes can be easily decontextualized. "Here’s the thing about that – I understood what she meant and I think it started a conversation. And that, to me, is a successful interview," Barone stated, referencing Kardashian’s comment. Her approach to risky humor is guided by a principle of "punching up," aiming to critique those in positions of power or privilege rather than targeting vulnerable groups. "I always want to feel like my jokes are punching up," she emphasized. "And sometimes you find just by doing the jokes that they’re not always on the correct side of that line. But yeah, it’s difficult. I want to make the right people uncomfortable, and I want to offend the correct people. Sometimes it is trial and error."
Barone’s advice for aspiring comedians navigating the complexities of social media is grounded in the primacy of real-world performance. While the temptation to constantly post clips for visibility is understandable, she stresses the irreplaceable value of stage experience. "There’s no substitute for experience and stage time, and the more real-world experience you can get playing off of an audience – you need that foundation because you can’t really fake that," she advised. She also acknowledges the personal struggle with the often-toxic nature of online comment sections, confessing, "I really struggle with that; I read comments. I’m trying to stop, and I’ve definitely created more boundaries for myself." The comedian noted a growing trend among industry professionals to delegate social media management, recognizing the potential toll it can take on mental well-being. While she values an authentic online presence, Barone is acutely aware of the dangers of losing oneself in the digital sphere. Her own gradual rise to prominence, coupled with a strong support system of friends and family outside the industry, has provided a crucial grounding influence as she navigates her career.
The concept of the age at which a comedian achieves widespread recognition significantly shaping their ongoing mental and artistic development is a notion Barone finds compelling. "I do believe that the age you blow up at is the mental age you can be stuck at forever," she posited. This can lead to a disconnect from relatable experiences, forcing some comedians to rely on shock value as a substitute for genuine insight. Barone’s personal pledge is to step away from stand-up if she ever reaches a point where her material ceases to be relatable. She believes that a life of privilege, devoid of genuine struggle, can lead to an out-of-touch perspective, rendering a comedian’s voice irrelevant. "I think when you have a totally frictionless life and you’re flying in a private jet everywhere and everyone around you is just saying yes to your every whim, that’s probably when you should just sit back and count your money and leave the public alone," she concluded.
Beyond the humor and commentary, "Galaxy Brain" also features a striking visual element: the stunning lilac gown Barone wears throughout the special. Designed by Jackson Wiederhoeft, the dress was a deliberate choice made early in the production process. The inspiration was drawn from iconic pop culture figures, specifically Ariel’s transformative moment in "The Little Mermaid" and the character of Megara from "Hercules." The unique lilac hue required custom dyeing, a testament to the bespoke nature of the creation. Adding a personal touch, the corset features beading in the shape of the Gemini constellation, a nod to Barone’s astrological sign and a subtle thematic tie-in to the special’s broader explorations of identity and self.
Looking ahead, Barone expressed excitement for the second season of "Overcompensating," the Prime Video comedy series she co-writes and stars in with Benito Skinner. Having recently wrapped filming, she described the upcoming season as "sadder but also funnier." The creative team aimed for surprising yet fan-pleasing developments, building on the established characters. Barone hinted at a compelling new love interest for her character, Grace, and expressed anticipation for seeing these storylines come to life on screen.
