JOHN MULANEY AND THE SACK LUNCH BUNCH: A Kid’s Show For The Rest Of Us

Romper Room. Captain Kangaroo. The Magic Garden. If you haven’t heard of these by-gone kids shows, you missed an era of children’s television only seen on one of the four networks available to the youth of America back in the 1980s. Christ, I’m showing my age. These programs enthralled and educated while tackling everyday kid problems with creative songs and skits to make learning fun. Not to say modern equivalents the likes of Blue’s Clues or Yo Gabba Gabba! haven’t taken children’s television into the modern era, but there was something special about the quirky shows of yesteryear with their tight public television budgets and meager sets. It was all we had. It was as silly as hell. And it was wonderful.

In his latest Netflix Special, actor/comedian John Mulaney pushes the nostalgia button with John Mulaney And The Sack Lunch Bunch. Pulling heavily from what made children’s television so intriguing, Mulaney, along with a cavalcade of quippy youngsters and celebrity guests, spoof the genre with an adult sensibility spanning generations.

Buttered Noodles And Scary Clowns

The concept takes a bit of getting used to right off the bat. Whenever children are asked to tackle adult humor a moment of hesitation should leave the audience wondering ‘how far will these kids have to go for a laugh?’ Thankfully, Sack Lunch Bunch never pushes the envelope of good taste but definitely teeters on the edge. The comedy doesn’t come from foul language or iffy content, instead opting to be a sarcastic love letter to childhood and the goofy adults we inevitably became.

With sketches and musical numbers aplenty, topics ranging from why we learn math to finicky eating habits are performed brilliantly by the cast of energetic youngsters. Admittedly, I’ve never been one for musical interludes and anyone who knows me can attest on my behalf. That being said, the musical segments written by Eli Bolin had even this curmudgeonly critic smiling with their spot-on irreverence.

Great care was put into the production, nailing down the look of old public television to a tee. Cheaply animated scene changes, outdoor sets obviously built on a sound stage and the playful costuming churn a feeling of nostalgia for the over thirty-year-olds who might remember these classic shows– Jesus, I’m old.

Kids Say The Weirdest Sh*t

The special kicks off interview style with Jacob, an adorably awkward little boy discussing what scares him. I’ll let you discover his response for yourself but SPOILER ALERT: It both tickled and disturbed me. With his curly mop of hair and slightly askew glasses, young Jacob leans hard into the specifics of his phobia not much different from how a grown-up might address such a question, though it’s his childishly honest delivery which sells the bit.

For me, these interviews seemed more telling than comedic. Not to say the interspersed bits didn’t play, but one might wonder what the stage parents have been feeding these kids over the years.

All in all, they work because of the blatant candor only a child seems capable of. Darkly funny answers aside these interstitial segments do play lightheartedly especially when the adult guest stars have a go. Natasha Lyonne, Richard Kind, and Mulaney all bring a sense of levity to the Q and A portions, but the stand out interview comes from character actor Andre De Shields with his words of wisdom about being the who you are. His confidently insightful advice has all the wizened charm made famous by the likes of Fred Rogers.

Did I mention David Byrne from The Talking Heads pops in twice?

But Is It Funny?

Comedy is not easy. There are jokes that simply don’t land, though they are few and far between. Certain parts, such as the Jake Gyllenhaal sketch, unfold with cringe humor but never without purpose. Several times, I found myself wondering where they were taking a scene only to right the ship brilliantly. Two stand out segments where Richard Kind’s Girl Talk, where he has a discussion with tween girls who genuinely burst into laughter at his antics. The other is Mulaney playing chess with a witty kid named Tyler who crushes the veteran comedian with his laser-sharp retorts to Mulaney’s attempts at distraction.

John Mulaney and crew have deftly crafted a funny look at being a kid, silly enough to be likable while endearing itself to our nostalgia for childish things. John Mulaney And The Sack Lunch Bunch is a definite recommend for a pretty wide audience. Perhaps not for those still watching children’s programming but teens to adults will surely be entertained.

Everyone has a favorite show or movie that shaped them as a child. What are some of yours? Comment below and get the conversation started.

John Mulaney And The Sack Lunch Bunch is available now on Netflix.