For Mulaney, cadence is as important as content. He repeats the setup before proceeding, with the same number of syllables so his punch line still lands on the intended beat. When he first mentions the diner’s name, a woman in the audience interrupts. The importance of rhythm to Mulaney is evident from the start of this bit. Whether it is a light snack or a hearty meal will depend on his execution. Comedy is when you fall into an open sewer and die.” Mulaney knows his memory of diner misery has the potential to satisfy the comedy fan’s appetite for voyeuristic sadism. He reportedly said, “Tragedy is when I cut my finger. Someone asked Mel Brooks the difference between tragedy and comedy. Nowhere is this on better display than in “The Salt and Pepper Diner,” from his 2009 album, The Top Part. Listen to it now. It’s magnificent.
His dead-on parodies of Les Misérables, Stephen Sondheim, and Steely Dan could only have come from a longtime fan. He has spent years with these songs and understands why they work, and that comes through in his stand-up. He composes his words with careful attention to the rhythms they create, and performs them with the precision of the best musicians. Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Georgetown University
