Kate Berlant is making her HBO stand-up debut with “Parmesan,” a new hourlong comedy special set to arrive Oct. 16.
The special, directed by Doron Max Hagay, was filmed at the historic Plaza Nightclub in Los Angeles. HBO describes “Parmesan” as a “hilarious tour-de-force that skewers the many contradictions of modern life and the art of stand-up comedy itself.”
For Berlant, the special marks a new platform milestone in a comedy career that has moved across stand-up, sketch and acting. In “Parmesan,” she delivers reflections and stream-of-consciousness observations on subjects including the moon, her social media feeds and her sexuality.
The announcement positions the special as a showcase for Berlant’s distinctive performance style. “When it comes to Kate Berlant, the comedy is in everything — a look, a gesture, a pause that lasts a little too long,” reads the statement included with the special. “She’s completely unpredictable, incredibly precise, and always a beat ahead of everybody else. Kate and her director, Doron Max Hagay, found the perfect home for this hour at the iconic Plaza Nightclub in L.A., and every frame of this special is so unmistakably Kate, which is why we love it so much.”
Berlant’s latest stand-up special
“Parmesan” is Berlant’s second stand-up special. Her first, “Cinnamon in the Wind,” was largely improvised and aired on Hulu in 2022.
That same year, Berlant and frequent collaborator John Early released the surrealist sketch comedy special “Would It Kill You to Laugh?” on Peacock.
Berlant has also built a substantial acting résumé across film and television. Her credits include “Don’t Worry Darling,” “Sorry to Bother You,” “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” “I Love Boosters,” “Dream Scenario,” “The Bear,” “Nobody Wants This,” “The Other Two” and Early’s recent directorial debut “Maddie’s Secret.”
“Parmesan” is executive produced by Berlant, Dave Kneebone, Janel Kranking and Naomi McPherson.
What happens next?
The next step is the special’s Oct. 16 debut on HBO, where Berlant will bring “Parmesan” to the network as her first HBO comedy special.