Michelle Wolf, the irreverent comic known for her fearless and sharp-witted humor, is returning to Netflix with her latest special, “It’s Great to Be Here.” Breaking away from the traditional format, the special will be released in three half-hour episodes, all available for streaming on September 12th.
In a trailer for the special, Wolf humorously addresses the current trend among comedians to open up about their struggles and identities during their performances. She playfully announces her intention to come out as “insufferable” for her upcoming show. With this special, Wolf aims to delve into more personal topics such as dating, sexual harassment, race relations, and her experiences living in another country.
While this marks Wolf’s third special, following her 2019 Netflix hour “Michelle Wolf: Joke Show” and her 2017 HBO entry “Nice Lady,” it is her most intimate and personal production to date. Wolf self-financed, produced, and edited the special before licensing it to Netflix. This new approach allowed her to have more creative control over the content and create a unique viewing experience for her audience.
During an email interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Wolf explained the reasoning behind her decision to self-finance and produce the special. She acknowledged the challenges of convincing the industry to fund something different and new, so she took matters into her own hands. She shot eight episodes, ultimately consolidating five of them into three episodes for the special. This innovative approach reflects the changing landscape of stand-up comedy, with more comedians taking control of their own content and developing their own specials.
The decision to release the special in a three-part format was a deliberate and exciting choice for Wolf. Rather than trying to fit all the material into a traditional hour-long format, she wanted to give each segment its own space to shine. Wolf explains that sometimes a 15-minute set can stand alone and be just as powerful as an hour-long performance. By breaking away from the traditional format, she is offering a fresh perspective on stand-up comedy and showcasing the versatility of her material.
When asked about what she wanted to convey with this set, Wolf expressed her desire to cover a multitude of topics. She believes that jokes are highly undervalued and that crafting a good joke is akin to creating a bit of magic. With this special, she hopes to entertain her audience while provoking thought and evoking laughter through her unique comedic lens.
Living abroad has played a significant role in shaping Wolf’s comedic point of view. Immersing herself in different cultures and meeting a diverse range of people has broadened her perspective and allowed her to develop a deeper understanding of the world. Wolf’s experiences abroad have given her a global outlook, and she aims to reflect this in her comedy.
As for the special itself, Wolf ensures that all her favorite material made the cut. She takes pride in her work and understands that not everyone will resonate with her style of humor. Regardless, she remains unapologetically herself and encourages viewers to form their own opinions about her comedy. Wolf recognizes that pleasing everyone is an impossible feat and chooses to prioritize staying true to herself.
Michelle Wolf’s return to Netflix with “It’s Great to Be Here” is eagerly anticipated by fans and comedy enthusiasts alike. With her fearless and thought-provoking comedy, she continues to push boundaries and offer a fresh perspective on the world through her unique lens. As comedy evolves, Wolf remains at the forefront, experimenting with new formats and delivering her signature brand of humor.