Dinner with Family with Brett Gelman and Brett Gelman's Family

Dinner with Family with Brett Gelman and Brett Gelman's Family is an offbeat, dark comedy special produced by [adult swim] in 2015. This twisted, satirical farce marks the second installment in a series of unique Dining specials crafted by Brett Gelman and director Jason Woliner.

Brett Gelman, a prolific character actor and comedian, known for his roles in other [adult swim] productions like Eagleheart and Rick and Morty, stars as a quasi-fictional version of himself. Much like its predecessors, Gelman imbues the show with his signature brand of absurdist humor, underpinned by a veneer of social commentary and psychological discernment.

The show is designed as a faux documentary capturing a dinner party hosted by Gelman, presumably in his own home. To add another layer of unconventional ploys, Brett invites his ‘parents,’ Lila and Larry (brilliantly played by Patti LuPone and Tony Roberts), to dine and interact with a young couple he's only met once. The unsuspecting invitees are played by Dale Dickey and Gilbert Gottfried, effectively adding to the concoction of eccentric characters.

The dinner table serves as a stage, as the evening unravels into a series of increasingly peculiar, sometimes disturbing, and undeniably theatrical scenarios. Deliberately awkward conversations, bizarre revelations, and unexpected bursts of song are just some of the unconventional elements that the audience can expect from this overstated satire.

Drawing stylistic influence from reality TV, Dinner with Family brings to life a hyperbolized parody of social norms and familial expectations. It peppers in elements of performance art, subtle grating humor, and improvisational comedy that collectively make the show deeply engaging, albeit disquieting at times. The actors' collective contributions, alongside Gelman’s dry wit and bizarre sense of humor, present a deeply sardonic take on the tropes of family gatherings, reality television, and the meanings we assign to identity and relationships.

The underlying theme revolves around the artifice present in our everyday social interactions. Further, the plot delves into how seemingly normal environments can hide deep-seated toxicity and dysfunction, all under the guise of traditional societal norms. It explores the ruse of familial roles and personal history, challenging audience expectations at every turn. The narrative remains steadfastly unpredictable, highlighting the tragicomic oppositions in our perceptions of self and reality.

Crafted with a unique mix of satire, absurdism, and sociopolitical commentary, Dinner with Family with Brett Gelman and Brett Gelman's Family is a cable television special that may not cater to everyone's tastes. The program unapologetically pushes the boundaries of conventional TV humor, drama, and reality, creating an unforgettable experience for those who appreciate subversive comedy and unconventional storytelling.

The ultra-realistic set design and with the inclusion of acclaimed actors in the cast, the show adds a layer of authenticity to the ostensible proceedings. The pacing of the show is intentionally sporadic, adding to the discomfort factor. Critical responses to the program have varied with many viewers praising its audacity, surreal humor, and biting satire while others finding it too unsettling or uncomfortable.

There's an undercurrent of sardonic, self-aware humor running throughout the program, which is bolstered by powerhouse performances from the ensemble cast. Particularly worth commending are Patti LuPone and Tony Roberts for their rendition of Gelman's 'parents,' who offer nuanced performances that expertly straddle the comedic and dramatic elements of the show.

Ideal for those who appreciate television shows that daringly tiptoe the boundaries of comfort and comedy, the viewers of Dinner with Family with Brett Gelman and Brett Gelman's Family will find it an immersive, occasionally anxiety-inducing unraveling of expectations, norms, and the inherent strangeness of our own daily performances.

Given the controversial nature of the show, it comes as no surprise that it ends up as an intensely polarizing viewing experience - a remarkable testament to Brett Gelman's compelling vision that invariably leaves a powerful impression on the audience.