In a sea of often generic comedies, where attempts to be "shocking" can be dreadfully formulaic, one recent Adult Swim show is going outside the traditional formulas hilariously. The title of the show Joe Pera Talks With You is quite literal: it follows a teacher from Michigan who talks about various subjects in a Mister Rogers-type fashion. Shockingly simple and light-hearted, it truly stands out in the comedy crowd, like Nathan For You without the pranks or if Tim and Eric suddenly went earnest and normcore.
Joe Pera is known for his strange grandfatherly demeanor and love of sweaters. Such a character could easily be subject to mockery in a lesser comedy, but for all his humorous awkwardness, there's a universally kind feeling to the show. His soft soothing voice can somehow make subjects as mundane as liquids pouring out of glass in slow motion appealing. It’s like the television equivalent of one of those ocean sound machines for sleep. The cinematography is reminiscent of an old PBS show, which adds to the strange appeal.
While it's aimed at adults and occasionally involves some PG-13-level language, there's a general lack of crude humor. It all plays out more like a discussion of an average everyday guy’s opinions. This is rare in the comedy landscape in general; on Adult Swim next to Family Guy and Mr. Pickles it feels downright radical. One of the early standout episodes is "Joe Pera Takes You on a Fall Drive." In it, he describes his fear of jack-o'-lanterns and gives his pumpkin a dramatic send-off.
The show's not just funny lectures -- there's a real sense of isolation and loneliness in Joe's life, especially in the first season. One moment that illustrates this well is when Joe is talking to the married couple in "Joe Pera Shows You How to Dance." He's excited about his co-workers’ recent marriage, but he himself is uncomfortable socializing with people his own age. Having been raised by his grandparents, he's now always around either the old or the young. Joe ends up developing a romantic relationship with a similarly awkward soul, his co-worker Sarah Conner. Her doomsday prepping was always a funny gag, but many viewers might find her anxieties about the future extra relatable today. Seeing Joe and Sarah awkwardly connect feels genuine.
The supporting cast is filled with quirky, uniquely loveable characters. Joe’s coworker John is a stand-out for his more vulgar sense of humor, making him almost Joe's opposite. Joe’s neighbors Mike and Sue Melsky are ridiculously fun, almost like a parody of a typical Midwestern suburban marriage that works perfectly with the tone of the show. The large family living next door to Joe adds to the aforementioned themes of loneliness. Then of course there's Joe's Nana, the most important figure in his life and whose impact makes for some shockingly moving plot twists in Season 2.
It might be a hard show to really understand without seeing it for yourself, but Joe Pera Talks With You is absolutely worth your time. It's a show crafted with great artistic care and presents a unique comedic voice. Similar to how Mr. Rogers taught preschoolers about processing their feelings, Joe Pera can help 20- and 30-somethings deal with their own complicated emotions. If you want something unique, kind-hearted and funny, Joe Pera Talks With You should be the comedy series at the top of your viewing list.
Both seasons of Joe Pera Talks With You are streaming on Adult Swim's website. Adult Swim will marathon select episodes of the series Friday April 17 at midnight.