The only subjects that were off limits inJohn Mulaney: Baby Jwere his divorce and his newborn son.
I was quite under the influence when I arrived, he told Deadline.
He helped me see how the dynamic was funny right away.
John MulaneyMarcus Russell Price/Netflix
DEADLINE Is it strange doing interviews about this particular special because it was so personal?
But my approach to it felt similar to the rest of my specials, honestly.
So I have not found it more difficult to talk about.
DEADLINE You called it a wide-ranging conversation.
Was that meant to be code for this might not be what everyone expects?
Its pretty much about one topic.
DEADLINE When did you notice that 11-year-old in the balcony?
MULANEYOh, immediately, because the Boston Symphony Hall is a rectangular room and the balconies wrap around it.
They almost feel like they come right up to the side of your head.
So I noticed him right away.
He is really young.
DEADLINE Yeah, but what a gift.
The jokes were pure gold.
MULANEYI just needed to address it for me and the audience that evening.
I wish I had a more wily mind, but no, it was just a bad moment.
It was more the chemical hell that took that away.
I was quite under the influence when I arrived.
I was both high and unable to keep using because they wouldnt let me go to the bathroom.
So I was in a very agitated state.
DEADLINE Was this something that you felt like you had to clear with your friends before doing the special?
Those who participated in the intervention?
MULANEY[Laughs] I cleared it by performing it and then asking, Hey, was that okay?
DEADLINE And then what did they say?
And they were right.
DEADLINE In some ways it seems like the jokes wrote themselves.
He helped me see how the dynamic was funny right away.
It feels disturbing, one person said.
Someone else wrote, like stay well, we need your continued brilliance.
What kind of feedback have you been getting?
MULANEYI was intrigued to see in a couple that it was dark.
It is digested as darker than I thought.
And I didnt want to do that.
It was an action-packed time.
Thats what I wanted to get across.
People might go, this is harder, sadder, darker, disturbing.
I really am flattered and happy that its been reviewed and discussed.
Thats what I like the most is that people talked about it.
Im healthy again for the first time in several years.
And in my mindthatis the setting.
So that was how I felt.
You all can see this is okay and you’re free to go ahead and laugh.
So I mightve been a little naive in that respect.
DEADLINE Speaking of that suit, was that fuchsia?
MULANEYWell, lemme look up fuchsia because Im not a great color person.
Okay, so we have the suit and then we have the color correct.
And then we have your own screen.
So I dont know, Im not going to say you didnt experience fuchsia.
You mightve, I dont know your color parameters.
Its like a lighter burgundy.
I really love that suit.
But they make King Charles pajamas and he likes really bright-colored jammies.
He goes to bed looking like a big bowl of fruit.
DEADLINE Do you think the humor helps people to understand or sympathize more with addiction?
MULANEYI dont know the answer to that, actually.
That would be something other people maybe could answer.
DEADLINE You didnt talk a lot about being a new dad.
Why did you make that decision?
MULANEYIm still hesitant to talk about it because Im his dad.
Its a very, very straightforward relationship.
Hes my main friend.
Theres something about it that Im just not sure how to discuss.
A child is not a sober companion.
He happens to be this amazing gift I got at the same time that everything else changed.
DEADLINE Same for your divorce?
MULANEYIt just was something I wasnt going to get into.
Im assuming everyone else looked like shit or something?
MULANEYWell, I have never had anyone, let alone a journalist say that I have an athletic build.
So I cant thank you enough for that.
And congratulations on being the first person ever to say that.
I am walking on air right now.
So I just was dressed up a little and had remained svelte through pretty unhealthy means.
Everyone there was adorable in their own way.
That was more kidding than they looked like shit.
How did that come together?
MULANEYWe filmed that in April of 2023.
It was crazy being at the same table as those other actors.
DEADLINE What were those days of shooting like?
Was it a barrel of monkeys?
MULANEYBliss, totally bliss.
Chris runs the nicest, most fun, most alive set.
Everyone has the best attitude, loves the show, and they make the days really fun.
And then the dining room was on a set because a car needed to drive through it.
You spoke of that in the special.
And not just once.
I mean, its a good idea.
A lot of addicts ideas are good ideas.
