Do you think beans have “got it all”? Do you ever find yourself running around empty baseball diamonds? Have you ever heard of “The Who”? Have you ever lived or wanted to live in Marquette, Michigan? If you answered yes to any (or none) of these questions, then Adult Swim’s “Joe Pera Talks With You” might just be the comfort show for you.
“Joe Pera Talks With You” is exactly what it sounds like. New York City-based comedian Joe Pera, playing a only slightly fictionalized version of himself for the show (I have met him in real life and can confirm that he does not change much), talks directly to you, the viewer, about a variety of topics. These include grocery shopping, chairmaking, and fireworks, but also more philosophical and difficult topics such as grief, companionship, waiting, and how to write a musical about the ongoing rat eradication campaign in Alberta. Episodes normally run between ten to twelve minutes and yet Pera fits a surprising amount of emotional depth into each one. A particularly touching moment features a jack-o-lantern careening over a waterfall and I’ll leave it to you to watch the show and figure out why, but I have come back to that short scene many-a-time and it is certainly one of my picks for the best moment in television.
For all of the emotion behind it, the show is still a comedy, albeit one frequently compared to the tonally similar Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood. Joe Pera was raised by his grandparents both in his in-show backstory and in his real life and that definitely comes through in his mannerisms and comedy styling. Comedically, the show is the opposite of most every other show Adult Swim produces. It can be hard to imagine how this is the same channel that runs chaotic shows like “Rick and Morty,” for example.
Other highlights of the show include its stellar soundtrack. In addition to ambient music provided by Holland Patent Public Library and folk artist Skyway Man, the show dedicates nearly an entire episode to Baba O’riley by The Who. The authentically mundane set design and amazing acting from all parties involved creates an immersive experience for the audience. As Joe shows you around Marquette and introduces you to his strange cast of friends and coworkers you start to believe that these folks are real and we’re just getting an opportunity to follow them around for a bit.
“Joe Pera Talks With You” provides a grounding presence. It got me through some of my most difficult moments and gave me a paragon of a life which I actually try to emulate. I strongly recommend this show whether you are legitimately curious about beans, or if you just need to escape to the fantastical world of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan for a while. All three seasons are available to stream through HBO Max.