Sarah Silverman: We Are Miracles

Unlike comedians who have performed in front of big crowds for cable specials, Sarah Silverman chose a small club for this HBO special, re-teaming with Liam Lynch, who directed her concert film Jesus Is Magic. Filmed at Los Angeles's Largo at the Coronet, in front of an audience of 39 people, Silverman covers a variety of adult topics in a tone that is more good-natured than prurient, although she starts by talking about porn on smart phones before moving on to a memory of taking showers with her mother when she was a toddler. Before anyone can work out the connection, she explains, “I don't need segues.” She moves on to religion, noting that she grew up in a non-practicing Jewish household, and she believes that every faith is “bat shit crazy,” but Scientology takes more satirical hits here “because it's new.” From there, Silverman goes on to criticize the way that advertising tries to convince women that they need products to eliminate natural and non-existent odors, although she doubts that Mother Teresa spent time worrying about such things, because “she had things to do.” If the observational material works well, the more controversial stuff feels underdeveloped (in taking on comedians who tell rape jokes in order to seem “edgy and dangerous,” she does something similar—which may be the point, but still comes across as awkward). Other subjects include Democrats vs. Republicans, the Make-a-Wish Foundation, and her elderly dog. Silverman concludes with the song “Diva,” which gets off to a good start before devolving into a profane rant (ideally, she should've placed it earlier in the program or cut it altogether). A strong optional purchase. Aud: P. (K. Fennessy)