In this episode of The Austin B Media Podcast, I sit down with five-time guest Alise Chaffins about I Used to Be Funny, which was recently released on Netflix.

Content Warning

I Used to Be Funny covers topics of trauma, depression, sexual violence, and more. If you are the victim of sexual assault or rape, help is available to you at the National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673.

What's The Film About?

I Used to Be Funny follows standup comedian Sam Cowell (Rachel Sennott), an au pair struggling with PTSD, as she weighs the decision on whether or not to join the search for Brooke (Olga Petsa), who she used to nanny. This dark dramedy marks Ally Pankiw’s feature film debut, after directing notable episodes of Black Mirror and The Great, among others.

Chapters:

• 00:08 - Introduction and Guest Welcome


• 02:00 - Recommendations and Upcoming Releases


• 05:21 - Discussion on I Used to Be Funny


• 07:14 - Rachel Sennott's Performance


• 12:20 - Relationships and Relatability


• 23:49 - Cinematography and Music


• 36:07 - Dialogue and Pacing


• 37:06 - Timeline Confusion


• 38:05 - Critique of the B Plot


• 40:08 - Sam's Journey and Trauma


• 44:54 - Spoiler Warning


• 01:11:42 - Final Thoughts and Ratings


• 01:13:49 - Outro and Social Media Plugs

Recommendations and Links:

• Follow Me: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠Letterboxd⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mastodon⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok, Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and YouTube.


• Follow Alise on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠. You can also subscribe to her Substack, ⁠⁠⁠MacGuffin or Meaning⁠⁠⁠ or watch her YouTube channel.


• I Used to Be Funny - Netflix,  Apple TV/Amazon/Fandango at Home, and Vinegar Syndrome Blu-ray.


• Alise's review of I Used to Be Funny - Link


• Ted Lasso Relationship Guide by Alise Chaffins – Order Here


• Alise's review of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (Theatrical) - Link


• Disclaimer (Apple TV+) – Link


• Alise's review of Disclaimer - Link


• Billy and Molly (Disney+/National Geographic) – Link


• The Penguin (Max) – Link


• Alise's review of The Penguin - Link

Until next time!

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