But every so often, a comedy special comes along that’s so good, so sharply written, so perfectly performed, it doesn’t just ask for repeat viewings. It demands them.
For the wife and me, that special is Alex Edelman's Tony-award winning, one-man Broadway show Just For Us.
We’ve watched it at least fifteen times now. That’s not hyperbole. It’s practically a standing date night at this point. Every single time, we catch something new: a brilliant turn of phrase, a tiny pause, a sly smirk that delivers a whole second punchline if you're paying close enough attention. It's the comedy version of a great novel.
Just For Us is, at its core, wrapped around one of the most unlikely and fascinating true stories: Alex, a Jewish comedian from Boston, decides to attend a white supremacist meeting — alone — to see what’s it’s like and what he can learn.
What’s more incredible is how Edelman takes this premise and spins it into comedy that's smart, warm, self-aware, and unexpectedly human.
The special isn't just about the meeting. It's about identity, belonging, being "the other," and the universal desire to be accepted — even if it means sitting through a meeting hosted by people who would literally prefer you didn'texist.
Given that premise, somehow Just For Us is never heavy. It’s funny. Laugh-out-loud funny. It’s a magic trick. Edelman brings enormous emotional intelligence to a crazy situation. It’s pure comedy, crafted with such skill it feels effortless and inevitable.
I've been recommending it to every person I come in contact with, and as you might've guessed I'm highly recommending it to you. It's well worth your time—I can't imagine anyone not enjoying it. Because it’s not just a special.
It’s a reminder of how powerful, human, and genuinely hilarious stand-up can be when it’s done by someone operating at the top of their game.
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