The Abused Muse

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A club promoter named Jew Diamond Philips. Piles of expired Lunchables. Some guy’s mom. As anyone who loves his breakout Saturday Night Live character Stefon knows, John Mulaney has a knack for specifics. His bewildered club kid character, played by co-creator Bill Hader, regularly drops by Weekend Update to tantalize tourists with descriptions of what absurdly singular attractions they can expect at some of New York’s hottest nightclubs. Mulaney’s lines are often so ridiculous that Hader can’t keep from laughing, which is probably one of the highest compliments a comedy writer can receive.

That dedication to finding just the right detail to focus on is prevalent throughout Mulaney’s work. When the hard-working comedian isn’t busy writing for SNL, he’s touring the country with his stand-up act, which often finds him complaining about his nervous disposition and aggravating pop-culture with a degree of precision normally associated with disgruntled message-board complainers. Mulaney’s one-hour special New In Town premiered Saturday on Comedy Central, and the album and DVD will be in stores on January 31. We caught up with Mulaney to talk about his intentionally dated references, his start in comedy, and, of course, Stefon.

 ’SNL’ Writer John Mulaney Discusses His New Stand-Up Special 

(via fuckyeahjohnmulaney)