Void of any set values or morals, Gleeson has begun to question how to raise his one-year-old daughter. He treads potentially risky ground as he shares what he really thinks of religion (particularly Christians and Jews). These jabs seem to be in the name of a good joke, though it’s doubtful he cares if a few people are offended along the way.
Perhaps in an attempt to prove that he’s capable of more than the usual scripted shows, Hello Bitches! opens with a good chunk of audience interaction. Gleeson maintains quick-paced banter, using little more than audience member’s name and occupation to create an impromptu bit. It’s here that we see that Gleeson is truly coming into his comedic element.
Anecdotes about yelling at customer service representatives are well delivered and easily achieve desired laughs. The horror of Gleeson seeing himself facedown in a mirror begins a string of self-deprecating jokes about ageing.
The show does seem to end abruptly though, and afterwards Gleeson opens to audience feedback – an interactive segment far less effective than his opening. After telling the audience repeatedly to ‘go fuck yourself’, he quickly returns to a fatherly anecdote to remind us that he is a good guy after all. It’s refreshing to see Gleeson letting loose, even at the risk of been seen as unpleasant. The slightest bit of inconsistency is worthwhile to see him branching out into more bold and hilarious avenues.
BY MEGAN HANSON
