My dad said he’s rather hear bo talk about his mental health then have another robin Williams hide his pain. My favorite bo role is the love interest in promising young woman.
It would have been so easy for INSIDE to immediately date itself and be a corny Covid-19 retrospective, but I really do think it will hold up for a decade.
That's a great point. We've only had a few, but all the entertainment that includes Covid was basically reduced to "woah masks and making bread, haha wasn't that sooo crazy". I think this works because even post COVID there are relatable themes of isolation
I think thats a huge part of why he never actually mentions covid in the special because while yes it’s about him quarantining. When covid hit you saw a lot of people on the internet admit they prefer this or they already lived like this. And i think thats where the timelessness will come from beyond covid.
@@alvatrous I think it works outside of the quarantine perspective because there are many things that one goes through in life that can produce a similar kind of isolation like producing art or going to grad school. Anything that requires you to devote your whole attention to it and essentially put the rest of your life on hold, and people who have gone through or are going through that kind of isolation will relate to this.
something that hit me was that, in the "dont kill yourself" bit...it felt like someone was finally seeing me. like it opened a part of my brain that i wasn't allowing to speak; a part that is truly sick of 'don't do it!! don't do it!!' everywhere i look. no one knows what to say about suicide, so they beg you to not 'do it.' its not that bo wanted to die, really, but if he could die for 18 months and come back, he'd take it in an instant. its almost soothing to hear someone speak these words, in an odd way. like a nice dream.
I completely agree. Even the way that clip is projected over his face as he looks completely done with life made me feel seen. The whole "i know you've heard this a million times and don't really care about these kinds of messages" and presenting a very real view into his life. Instead of a "haha, i went through that too, but now my life is so amazing and i'm glad i didn't do it" Bo went for "yeah things are abysmal but sometimes it's worth it, even for a little while"
Yeah, add to that the fact that in the special he himself is watching it, as if it was a message for him and the fact that he looks like he's sick of hearing that shit, I felt that way so many times this year and sometimes it's just so hard to find a single answer to the "why not?" question. You can even see in the video, he says "you shouldn't kill yourself because" and there being a long pause and recently, I'm just afraid that this pause will get too long
This. The "If I could die temporarily and come back later, I would absolutely do it." is something that I have thought about myself a few times. The pure exhaustion we feel just existing in a time like this is incredibly overwhelming and it's both comforting and tragic knowing that other people feel this way too. Bo is the voice of our generation and I'm so glad his work is getting the recognition it deserves.
As a person who battles with disassociation, agoraphobia, and panic attacks (amongst a slew of mental illnesses), I thought Inside was super inspirational. These last 2 years have sucked ass for literally every one of us. This special comes across as Bo's way of coping through the pandemic. I think it's beautiful.
Yeah in was really honest to see someone struggle during this time, especially when we usually get the final product whether it be graduating, or writing a script, or making a sports team. It's that grind that people don't often have as much thought about, and it's nice to see someone open up about what a slog this time was for that process.
I feel like the ending was him stepping into the spotlight then showing that no matter what he does he can’t leave it, as the moment he closed the door(video) it was too late to turn back
Yeah what's interesting about that is I had forgotten it goes to him watching it all play out back inside. Almost like he's at some level of peace with the absurdity that comes with fame
Damn this special hit me on so many levels and felt like an almost shot for shot of my sanity throughout the whole pandemic. I've never seen anyone be this vulnerable before in such a public way and I love Bo even more for letting us see it and hope it helps some people along with himself.
Yeah I was going to include this in my script, but I couldn't work it in. It's different when a movie is vulnerable because you have characters, writers, directors all kinda infusing their views into one thing. And standup comedy is different in that it's only you with an audience, so there's not a lot of separation between the show and yourself. This is that on another level where it's including every part of the process of going through an event.
He’s genuine and that’s why people connect. But he’s also talked about playing a character while performing. And that’s a way to convey his message. Just remember, he meant to knock the water over..
I do feel with Bo’s material there is always a layer of characterization. He really toes the line between authenticity/performance. I certainly think he uses his acts to vent out frustrations and thoughts but he refracts it thru his performance. I think his real genuine moment in the special was the “Don’t kill yourself” monologue. Yes these are feelings but he is mentally stable and his performance persona is slightly elevated.
I semi get what you're saying, but I don't know if I can completely get with this being a lot of characterization. Like the turning thirty bit just feels so relatable and has so much weight to it, that for it to be just for the sake of a good narrative moment that is touching somehow cheapens the effect of it? I don't think that's what he did, nor do I think that's what you were concluding, but it does bring up thoughts on the line of "touching" and "exploitative" when writing a piece. One thing that is for sure is this special is a great vehicle for a lot of interesting conversation.
That last scene reminded me of the Truman Show, when Jim Carrey is about to open this white door and says goodbye to the public. But Bo can't open the door.
this is a great analysis! I’ve seen Inside about four times now because of how interesting it is to analyze and piece together. including how he became famous and the history of his career is something I feel like people don’t consider when it comes to this special, so thank you for this.
Oh for sure, the context of his career adds a lot to the enjoyment. I've been thinking about rewatching it, I haven't yet just cause it's a lot, was debating listening at work cause it's not on spotify, not the wisest idea so i haven't yet
To me, this special says so much from what we as an audience demand, what he demands from himself, and how he wants to be the center of attention even though it is painful for him.
Hey, this video is amazing! You really put in words what it feels like to watch this new special., especially the “you created this” aspect... the mix of relating to what you’re seeing, feeling like a voyeur, guilt and concern.
1st comment, Hiii I am also worried for him too. Like I loved the special, it was an experience I wish I could see again for the first time because... man. I really hope Bo is okay now, this seems like something that would damage something or someone... but as you said, art is something that doesn't need to be questioned because well, it's art and it's there
Im not sure how real inside is. Like when the bottle fell on a previous special "Nothing is real". I belive he is living with his girlfriend in LA. Still I love real depictions of depression and anxiety we do not have a lot of those in the media
That's a good question. I'm sure we will never know how much of this was an "act" and what was just left in. I know some people are arguing that it's all a character he's playing, but again I don't know him so I can't really make any argument for or against ideas like that.
@@HizzyHay I do not think its all character you have to pull from somewhere. "Cant handle this" is the perfect example, although he may be able to handle it at that moment its something he was really feels. As well as in this special when he talks about not being able to make the world better being a comedian. I belive he is saying things he belives from a character. We have to see it as a whole, as all humans even if I maybe depressed sometimes that not all I am. Thank you for the video btw it was very insightful
Exactly this. He had to produce a 90 minute feature that could captivate, all filmed in one place. He plans everything meticulously. And he’s been directing writing/dramas lately. I believe he’s being honest with his emotions largely but have to believe some of it was just making a film that would reflect how he felt more so then his actual current state of life. That’s what I’m hoping at least🤷♂️
Definitely a performance piece more than a diary. The production value itself is a giveaway, but barring that the biggest nod to Inside being art as a lie is the final song “possible ending song”, where we see Bo finally shaven and he says “take 1”, but moments later he fades in with a full beard, meaning it must have been filmed before and this is in fact not “take 1”. Genius nod to the constructed performance of Inside while playing into the themes of not wanting to finish the special / go outside.
@@avidcontententhusiast I'm not sure on that, I took it as him cutting from "take 1" which he filmed early, back when he had a clean beard and wet hair from a shower, to the year and a half later with long greasy hair and a messy beard, and how long it took him to really be "done". But it's impossible to know without Bo saying, cause it could've been a fake "take 1" filmed AFTER he'd finished it and finally ditched the shitty hair and beard.
I think you're missing the music from your consideration. "Welcome to the Internet" has already got 3 million views, and the moment I saw it on Netflix I knew that would be the thing that everyone focuses on for the memes. But Bo HAD to know that (or one of his producers), especially uploading it to his YT channel. This mans ability to put deeper meaning into stuff and consider details goes above and beyond imposter's syndrome and pretentiousness like he seems to point out.
I don't think it's fair to ask if he should even have made/published this special. That's kind of a condescending way to see his work. As the writer, director and producer of it, it's an immense accomplishment in terms of creativity. Also, an integral part of his comedy for years has been his mental illness. Exploring one's own struggles through art isn't the same as harming oneself with it. Often, it's a way to cope, a way to give sense and meaning to something otherwise very bleak and meaningless. There's always been a mix of honestly and pretense in his work- he's honest about his issues, but he's also *performing*. It's meant to be the way it is and it's messiness is very calculated and thought through, since the entire special is incredibly self-reflective. Assuming we do or do not know how he's ~actually~ doing is an effort in futility and I don't see Inside as purely authentic or inauthentic reflection of his 'real' state of mind, but a mix of both. It's authentic in the sense that it's likely based on real emotions, experiences and thoughts. It's 'inauthentic' in the sense that it's written, edited, scripted, planned etc. We see exactly what he wants us to see and hear.
Love your comment, I think I feel the same about it. I showed it too my mom and my sister and my mom felt like its all "true" moments of editing and true raw emotions and a real break down etc, and she deffinitely got all the sadness from it, but maybe not enought of how talented he is and how brilliantly he planned it, my sister on the other hand understood fully thats its really a movie more than a stand up or anything like that, and took it as that, in result, imo, not fully experiencing how all of it comes from an honest genuine place in Bo's mind. Its not mearly a script. You have to connect both those experiences i think to exoerience it fully. But both of these ways of looking at it give you an amazing watch on their own as well
@@pottetplant9975 Yeah, I personally approached watching this special both as someone who appreciates art (the writing, the way the shots are framed, the editing) as well as how the content affects me on a personal level. As someone who's incorporated their own mental struggles into my own writing, I don't *need* Bo's work to be 100% genuine, as long as I can find meaning in that work. But you're right that ultimately everyone will come away from watching it with a different perspective! At the same time I wish people wouldn't just go for the typical 'is he okay' speculation about his mental state.
@@Niriixa Yes, I feel like it somehow is inherently going against what he's trying to convey to us, when people are perceiving him not as a performer and artist but as a... i guess like a youtuber almost doing fancy vlogs. Whenever I hear someone address his work through a lense of who HE is as a person, or rather, who they think he is, how they *understand* him, its just very very weird. I'm trying really hard to not do that here, I dont want to say "He doesnt want you to see it that way" or "He really meant that and not that other thing" because its also me perceiving his art as a mirror of the mental image I have of him as an artist, or even more, as a person, but that is EXACTLY what I'm doing so Im a bit ashamed of myself. I just love this special and a lot of his other work and I feel like its really a struggle for me and others to not believe yourself when you feel you know him.
It wasn't just Bo Burnham. We all just went through this stuff. The part about "should he have put it out" sounds tone deaf. Or at least from someone who was surrounded with their family or happily safe and sound the last 18 months. And that's very lucky. But there are SO many people who were already battling other problems, and who then went through this seemingly uncontrollable period of upheaval, physical isolation, and uncertainty. And other people went through all of that, AND lost a loved one to COVID. This is so much bigger than a comedy stand-up project in my opinion. The project is an amazing time capsule of the COVID experience, and I love it.
I think this special is really interesting because after only A couple of days I’ve seen so many videos about it and every one says something different. I think it’s because everyone can relate to bo but all in different ways. I myself think this special it about struggles with anxiety and him trying to find the causes for it, which it why I think this special probably did more good for him than bad.
Yeah I think it also is the way it was put out where nothing was said about it till a month before. I think partially cause he was in Promising Young Woman (filmed in 2019) and did some press in Jan 2020 that people maybe assumed not much was going on. Then to put out something like this.
Same age as me and yet here I am with vapid dreams. I'm not bitching, I'm actually Inspired, already thinking about time and output and content in ways I hadn't before. I loved Inside!
sometimes you have to face the pain to survive it. i think it's like a journaling process for him. his specials are very personal. i'm not the best at dealing with my problems but ignoring them or pretending they don't exist certainly doesn't help. it's better to talk about it than stay silent.
Great point, I guess I was speaking more from my perspective that I would not want to show my vulnerability to a lot of a world, when talking about certain things with even one person can feel daunting.
Ive watched quite a few video essays on inside since watching the special and I gotta say your ending statement is by far my favorite take on it. Really good video man.
I was 6 years old when I was introduced to Bo Burnham. I remember barely understanding at the time, but it was still funny to me with his goofy bits. I revisited him at 12 years old and I was immediately struck with how incredibly hard I could relate to a lot of his struggles and pain. He became my hero through my teenage years, and now at 19 years old I still look up to him. I hope he's doing well. Inside was a masterpiece, and it's well deserved for him to get an Emmy from the performance.
I've heard a lot of people with disabilities bring this up during the pandemic and I do hope people are more aware of that when all of this is said and done, there definitely is a lot that could be done for more communal inclusivity.
he's a genius. Inside is a tightly woven piece of art. everything is so meticulous. I don't know how he did it, honestly. I can't wait to see what he does next. Even if he doesn't do anything else after this he made something nearly perfect.
I have to agree with your analysis, but you did leave out the show that he had on MTV called 'Zach Stone is Gonna Be Famous'... it was a shortlived show that Bo wrote with another guy (sorry, but I can't remember the name at the moment), but that show also hits some of the same notes (no pun intended) that Bo's other work does. I wish that MTV hadn't canceled the show, but it is what it is. You can still find it on Amazon if you haven't seen it before... For the whole thing it's like $10 usd... so it is something that I recommend checking out if you are a fan of Bo Burnham and haven't seen it before. Thought that I would let you and others know that it is out there. -^_^-
It was actually written in my script, but when I recorded that piece it sounded a bit clunky. Plus I hadn't really seen it and it didn't seem too popular, but from people commenting it definitely had its fans!
It's a performance. It's a performance. It's a performance. This parasocial worry for his wellbeing is completely antithetical to the message of the special. His on-camera breakdowns are all performances. He probably did multiple takes of that countdown-to-turning-30 speech he did with the clock. Hell he even intentionally dropped the camera in that one scene. The whole point of the special is that everything is a performance.
Bo Burnham isn't really "Comedy", he's funny as hell sure. But he's just the truth, an example of a life he had full control over then lost to his own emotions and the fandom his control had created. If he killed himself, I'd be sad but not surprised if he went to therapy, i'd be happy for him (I am mostly happy and always wish him well) if he quit the life of comedy for good and never come back, i'd be extremely happy for him because he would be free from a lot of the pain he is so painfully clearly in. Just hope he's ok at the end of the day really, he's a good person undeserving of pain. (Great analysis by the way, happy to see people showing his work truly instead of "funny man did funny show")
Absolutely an incredible -comedy special- piece of art. Seriously I want to run and talk to people about it but none of my friends have watched it. I think it touched me in a weird way that many people can connect with but me being a single 30 year old living alone working a job I hate (retail), it really cut deep and I would have cried at the end if I didn't watch this at work. I got teary eyed for somewhat unknown reasons at the end but held it back. On the hate my job but watched this at work thing. I work retail/repairs at a store thats sometimes slow like it was today, so I have free time. Yes its nice having free time to watch youtube and what not but i have been doing this for 6 years and I hate people at this point. I did debt collection for a while and that will break you down pretty quickly but its not that bad. Retail is a different level. Its this slow burn of seeing how dumb and entitled most people are it just kills you. Then being in america where you cant take off work for mental health reasons you have to come in and put on a fake smile. At least in a call center you dont have to put on a fake smile.
Hated that green room thing, I got same vibe that one plastic surgery looking dude was being a prick pretending to give him shit but could feel distain in it.
Yeah in fairness every episode might just be like that, but specially when he played them some of his act and they all were like “oh that’s cute” after lol
The most fucked up part about the special was that its songs trended on the Internet. People had Bo as their most-listened-to artist on Spotify. That was the exact opposite of what Bo wanted from the special, he wanted us to watch this and get out of the internet circle and start living our life; not to listen to this constantly over and over cuz your favorite artist made it.
Yeah some of how the internet took Burnham was odd, I don’t know if I (personally) would agree agree the message was about wanting people to go live their lives, I took parts of it as a way of showcasing how he can’t live his life the same with being in the spotlight.
If I'm honest, the bit that really made me appreciate this special was how gruelling the editing process can become. I've only experienced a modicum of the pain a massive project can create. And that one editing hiccup at 6:30 of this video that is in the special, really made me realise it's just one guy and a laptop. I don't think Bo intended for his video game section to glimpse at this moment, it was just the small bit that you miss on projects without a massive team searching every second.
@@MrImdead Unfortunatly I must disagree with your disagreement. If big budget films like swordfish, or TV shows like Game Of Thrones can have things like the coffee cup incedent. I don't feel it's out of the realm of possibility that a 0.5 second glimpse of footage in the bottom right hand corner of the screen might have just been an editing hiccup. It happens, and with a project this massive done by one guy, it's entirely likely that he just missed it.
@@ronanholland7658 you're right, it could happen. But I don't think it did, I think he put it there on purpose for some thematic reason that I'm not smart enough to understand
So am I the only one that noticed the flash of Bo's "Stream Cam?" Is it an editing mistake or a metaphor? Netflix wouldnt put it out if it had editing mistakes like that. Would they?
certainly was not a mistake. I think that is a way of saying "this is what I'm doing all long" like how in the stream bit it was supposed to be "cry, try to go outside, cry again, play the piano, cry again. day complete" as a way of summing up what his days have been like. That flash is just another bit of "yeah, i fucking do this shit all day long"
They are definitely planned and scripted. The framing and lighting are so specific in those scenes that there's no way he didn't at least consider them when turning on the camera. But I do think they are done in a way to get that feeling across. It definitely goes to show his directorial and editing skills. The only scene I think might of actually been an accident is the camera falling and he just liked it when reviewing the footage but we will never know because that line is so blurred we cant see it.
Thank you! So there's this website lalal ai (shoutout DamonoMusic on TikTok) that separates lyrics from instrumentals, it's not always 100% effective but it ended up working for this.
Actually was going to include it, but I cut it from my script! I hadn't seen it and it kinda fit a similar talking point of Yo Teach in that it was a canceled show. Good to bring up though
I think I misrepresented the situation a little, I think Bo wanted to make "Anti High School Musical" with Judd but instead they just made a "fake" show that was just an ad for Funny People
im gonna disagree with how you interpreted the green room episode, i thought they were extremely respectful(as comedians go, they always shit on each other). the time where they said all they get from bo is authenticity, the shots he took at them, i think they saw him as the young, green comic. Who was so good for his age and they were all in relative awe on how much he could grow. look at this ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-FmrA5QBR6d0.html
I mean I started with “for the most part they are respectful” but there was just something a little off to me. To each their own! Also the link you sent is the video I watched to get footage for this haha
