After the viral event that occurred this past weekend at the Oscars award ceremony, perhaps comedian JEN KIRKMAN was ahead of the game when she retired from touring in 2019. Thankfully, she’s not totally gone yet, and we have a new album from the comedian called OK, Gen-X, now available via 800 Pound Gorilla Records everywhere comedy is streamed and sold. The 10-track album examines the flaws and freedoms of the generation that the comic grew up in a time nestled between that of the Tik Tokin’ millennials and the scapegoat baby boomers. Kirkman takes a nostalgic, comedic journey back to that time when clubs weren’t all that keen on booking women who told period jokes (or women in general), when cameras were for professionals, when smoking was cool, when ash trays were “so deep you never had to empty” them, and latchkey kids were a thing.
On the album, Kirkman reflects on her youth, when the earth-ending crisis of the time wasn’t blockchain and climate change, but deforestation. The comedian reminisces about being the one practicing world-changing speeches before the UN, pre Greta Thunberg, when Jen basically blossomed with the idea for Facebook Live, minus the Internet. We get a glimpse into Jen’s childhood experiences with boys that would go on to color the comic’s future encounters with famous, and non-famous men. Dealing with pencil-throwing boys while reading poems and confronting the library flasher with the “gorgeous Italian leather shoes” and a “beautiful trench” were a few of the life events that would affirm the idea that Jen existed in the more invulnerable of two worlds. Kirkman uses these stories as a backdrop to explain how the darkness that can occur in the comedy workplace does not cease to exist beyond the spotlight.
The comedian goes on to describe “America’s favorite game show,” one she invented to inform men of the situations women find themselves in on a daily basis. I won’t give away the game, but it’s some clever humor that’s sure to have a lasting impression. Kirkman finishes off the album with two tracks focusing on faith, family and misunderstandings. Up until this point, we get some insight into Jen’s mom’s character, but it’s not until the end that we get introduced to Jen’s dad. They may have their political disagreements, but in the end, it’s humor that brings them together, as well as the entire album. In the Gen-X era the term “triggered” didn’t mean the same thing it does today, but I must warn that there will be moments on the album that are sure to rile up feathers, as good comedy should. However, I can solidly predict that most generations will come away from OK, Gen-X with some cathartic grins, chuckles, and lessons. We really hope Jen’s comedy retirement is as fluid as that of football’s Tom Brady because comedy and stories like these need to be cherished, not forgotten.
Mentions: The new album is now available via 800 Pound Gorilla Media. Check out Jen’s podcasts Anxiety Bites & No Fun: the Jen Kirkman Podcast, now in it’s tenth season. Follow Jen on Twitter and Instagram. Images courtesy of Shark Party Media.