Hannah Gadsby: Douglas
Hannah Gadsby: Douglas is a live comedy performance written and performed by Australian comedian Hannah Gadsby, which debuted in 2019. The show follows on the success of her previous show Nanette, which helped Gadsby expand her international audience. The show toured internationally, and a video of her Los Angeles performance of this show was released as a Netflix comedy special in May 2020.
Douglas | |
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Film poster | |
Directed by | Madeleine Parry |
Written by | Hannah Gadsby |
Starring | Hannah Gadsby |
Distributed by | Netflix |
Release date |
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Running time | 72 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
International
The show toured internationally, for example in the US, Canada, Australia and the Netherlands.[2]
Performances
Gadsby performed Douglas globally, opening at the Arts Centre Melbourne in Melbourne, Australia. In her first US tour, she performed across the United States in over 10 states as well as a five-week stint at the Daryl Roth Theater in New York City.[3][4] Her tour also had performances in the United Kingdom and across Europe.[5]
Content
The show begins with Gadsby outlining the chronology of the show in a move she says to manage expectations. It begins with mundane observational humor, including mocking American culture. The main thrust of the show continues on topics first highlighted in her previous show Nanette such as her experiences with misogyny and as a lesbian woman and her autism diagnosis often through the lens of historical art.[6][7]
Film
On May 26, 2020, Netflix released a film of Gadsby performing the show in Los Angeles.[8]
Gadsby cut a portion of her live show discussing a slur that a former girlfriend insulted her with from the Netflix show.[7]
Reception
On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 92% based on 26 reviews with an average rating of 7.71/10. The website's critics consensus reads: "Humorously human and poignantly hilarious, Douglas is an expertly constructed hour of comedy that further affirms Hannah Gadsby's mastery of her craft."[9] Inkoo Kang of The Hollywood Reporter wrote: "If Nanette demonstrated Gadsby's mastery of tone and command of the audience, Douglas is an even richer showcase for the comic's technical prowess."[10] Entertainment Weekly 's Leah Greenblatt called it "a natural extension of Nanette and a gentle buffering of it."[4] Brian Logan of The Guardian in commented that "it’s a well-constructed set, with a high hit-rate of jokes".[11] New York Times' Jason Zinoman in his review of the film called it a "surprisingly slick, joke-dense show" and ambitious like her previous special, while also saying that the show's "cleverness gets in its own way".[7] Brian Lowry of CNN however, contrasted it with her previous work Nanette saying "While there are some very funny bits, clever observations and yes, personal information strewn along the way, perhaps inevitably nothing lands with quite the raw intensity of her debut."[12]
Awards and nominations
Year | Award | Category | Recipient(s) and nominee(s) | Result | Ref(s) |
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2020 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded) | Hannah Gadsby, Kevin Whyte, Kathleen McCarthy, John Irwin, Casey Spira and Jenney Shamash | Nominated | [13] |
Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special | Hannah Gadsby | Nominated | |||
2021 | Critics' Choice Television Awards | Best Comedy Special | Hannah Gadsby: Douglas | Pending | [14] |
References
- "Hannah Gadsby's 'Douglas' special to premiere May 26 on Netflix". UPI. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
- "Comedysensatie Hannah Gadsby naar Carré met nieuwe show Douglas" (in Dutch). Koninklijk Theater Carré. 11 June 2019. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
- Martin, Annie (4 February 2019). "Hannah Gadsby to take new show 'Douglas' on tour". United Press International. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
- Greenblatt, Leah (26 July 2019). "Hannah Gadsby brings her shrewd discomfort comedy to new show Douglas". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
- Paskett, Zoe (3 June 2019). "Comedian Hannah Gadsby announces London dates for new show Douglas". Evening Standard. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
- Green, Jesse (26 July 2019). "Review: Is Hannah Gadsby's 'Douglas' Stand-Up? Theater? Yes, Please". New York Times. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
- Zinoman, Jason (26 May 2020). "Hannah Gadsby's 'Douglas' Doubles Down on the Comedy of Contradiction". New York Times. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
- "Hannah Gadsby: Douglas Premieres Globally On Netflix May 26, 2020". Netflix. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
- "Hannah Gadsby: Douglas (2020)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
- Kang, Inkoo (26 May 2020). "'Hannah Gadsby: Douglas': TV Review". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
- Logan, Brian (27 May 2020). "Hannah Gadsby: Douglas review – crusading comedy with great gags". Guardian. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
- Lowry, Brian (26 May 2020). "Hannah Gadsby feels the pressure of her success in 'Nanette' follow-up 'Douglas'". CNN.com. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
- Hipes, Patrick (July 28, 2020). "Emmy Awards Nominations: The Complete List". Deadline. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
- Schneider, Michael (January 18, 2021). "'Ozark,' 'The Crown' and Netflix Lead 26th Annual Critics' Choice Awards TV Nominations". Variety. Retrieved January 18, 2021.