Danielle Solzman
Yearly Departed, the new all-star comedy special premiering on Amazon Prime Video, roasts the dumpster fire that is the year 2020.
Dearly beloved, we are gathered here to bid farewell to this dumpster fire year. Qubi came and went faster than you could say MoviePass! Sorry, not sorry! I’m going to include a photo to break between writing because of possible spoilers. But honestly, I recommend watching before reading. This is really the best way to watch.
I really love how the performances come off as if we are attending an actual funeral. You get tears and laughs. This special offers the best of both worlds! Also, I ask that you please stay for the credits. Do not fast forward. Please. You will not regret it. Overall, this is certainly a fun special. Many of us are certainly upset about not being able to watch the Kennedy Center Honors but Yearly Departed is the next best thing. I do not know what will become of 2021. However, I hope this becomes an annual special. The comedy is top-notch and more than ever, we need the laughs.
Phoebe Robinson hosts the series of eulogies to the year. Tiffany Haddish is the first to kick off the series of eulogies with casual sex. Haddish is among the funniest women alive and helps set the tone for what we’re about to see. Before I continue, please do not eat any food or drink while watching. We don’t need anybody rushed to the ER for choking from laughter while watching.
Buffets and birthday candles became a thing of the past this year. Natasha Rothwell eulogizes a subject that many people will miss this year: TV Cops. Rothwell will miss some of her favorite TV cops like Carl Winslow (Family Matters). “By the grace of Dick Wolf, you guys lasted longer than Keeping Up with the Kardashians.” With the void to fill on network television, Rothwell also suggests a replacement for TV cops. Watching this eulogy is really like being at an actual funeral.
Rachel Brosnahan said goodbye to pants this year. “Fuck pants!” The actress may be known for her stand-up comedy on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel but she is not a stand-up performer in real life. In spite of not being a comedian in real life, you would never know from watching her performance!
Patti Harrison uses her eulogy to pay farewell to Rich Girl Instagram Influencers. I’m going to be honest: this is not an area in which I am familiar with. Harrison is a good actress because the tears appear to be real.
Natasha Leggero says goodbye to having any more children. I love how she delivers this particular eulogy. “I feel like I’m living with a suspended Reddit user!” Leggero spent her entire quarantine trying to convince her 3-year-old to wear a mask. And then you get into the political aspects of bringing children into a dying planet.
Ziwe says goodbye to the traditional beige Band-Aids. Following the racial protests, Band-Aid also decided to release Band-Aids that are in multiple skin colors. Many companies decided to take a look at their history this year and apologize for years of doing wrong.
Sarah Silverman is the final roaster and uses her eulogy to say farewell to “Making America Great Again.” In terms of the special’s running order, they save the most political eulogy for last. It’s a great bit from the comedian.
DIRECTOR: Linda Mendoza
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Bess Kalb, Rachel Brosnahan, Paige Simpson, Samantha Ressler, Nathalie Love, Katy Mullan, and David Jammy
FEATURING: Rachel Brosnahan, Tiffany Haddish, Patti Harrison, Natasha Leggero, Natasha Rothwell, Ziwe, Sarah Silverman, and Phoebe Robinson
