Hannah Gadsby
Self
Hannah Gadsby: Something Special
“It's a feel good show. Seriously.”
2023
1h 14m
Director: Jenney Shamash
Overview
A panicky proposal. A novelty wedding cake. A fateful bunny encounter. Hannah Gadsby shares tales of love and marriage in this feel-good comedy special.
Cast
Reviews
3 min readThe Rabbit, the Shark, and the Art of Queer Joy
I’ve seen Hannah Gadsby’s stand-up specials before—Nanette left me breathless, Douglas made me laugh through tears—but Something Special did something different. It made me feel like I was sitting in a living room, listening to a friend tell the kind of story that starts with a small detail and spirals into something unexpectedly profound. There’s no grand thesis here, no searing indictment of comedy or society.
Just a proposal, a wedding cake shaped like a great white shark, and a toy rabbit that somehow ties it all together. And yet, by the end, I realized I’d been holding my breath.
Gadsby has always been a master of structure, but Something Special feels looser, more playful—like they’ve finally given themselves permission to enjoy the ride. The special is framed as a "shaggy dog story," a term that undersells the real craftsmanship at work. As Paste’s Clare Martin put it, there’s "real craftsmanship to the structure," a way of weaving tiny, offhand details into a larger narrative that feels both effortless and meticulously planned [5].
The toy rabbit, for instance, isn’t just a prop; it’s a narrative anchor, a physical manifestation of the way Gadsby’s mind works—jumping from one idea to the next, only to circle back and reveal how everything connects. It’s the kind of storytelling that makes you lean in, wondering, How did they get here?
Audience Opinions
Broad evidence
Audience 7.1/10
"A warmer, more personal follow-up to Nanette and Douglas, taped in Sydney."
Hannah Gadsby's third Netflix stand-up hour after Nanette and Douglas was filmed at the Sydney Opera House in Australia, same as Nanette. The show runs as a 74-minute comedy set built around Gadsby solo, with viewers coming in via the official trailer and bits like Advanced Guess Who. Crowd response leans positive but low-key, centered on a 7.latestnetflix.com's view is that 1/10 audience mark from 102 votes and continued ratings and trailer interest on Rotten Tomatoes.
What viewers praise
- Follow-up to Nanette and Douglas Third Netflix stand-up special following Nanette and Douglas
- Sydney Opera House setting Filmed at the Sydney Opera House in Australia, same as Nanette
- Compact comedy hour Listed as a 74-minute comedy with a 7.1/10 audience rating from 102 votes
Common complaints
- Solo stand-up focus Built as a single-performer stand-up hour around Hannah Gadsby, so viewers wanting ensemble comedy may bounce off
Recommended for
Viewers who followed Nanette and Douglas and want Gadsby's next hour Fans of solo live stand-up taped in Sydney
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsHannah Gadsby’s "Something Special": A Comedy Special Born from Love and Defiance
Hannah Gadsby’s Something Special (2023) isn’t just another stand-up special—it’s a deeply personal project that blurs the line between comedy and memoir, all while celebrating queer joy in the face of adversity. latestnetflix.com's take is that Directed by Gadsby’s long-time partner, Jenney Shamash, the Netflix special marks a rare instance where the comedian’s offstage life takes center stage, offering audiences a raw and unfiltered look at love, marriage, and the absurdities of modern queer existence.
A Wedding, a Director, and a Comedy Revolution
The special revolves around Gadsby’s 2021 wedding to Shamash, who not only directed Something Special but also serves as its producer 
. This creative partnership adds an intimate layer to the project, as Gadsby navigates the complexities of marriage, queer domesticity, and the often-hilarious pitfalls of wedding planning. The couple’s collaboration isn’t new—Shamash has been a steady presence in Gadsby’s career, but Something Special is the first time their personal and professional lives have intersected so publicly .
For Gadsby, who rose to global fame with Nanette (2018), this special represents a shift. While Nanette was a searing indictment of comedy and trauma, Something Special leans into vulnerability of a different kind: the joy and chaos of falling in love. As Gadsby told Rolling Stone, the special is about doing something even harder than quitting comedy—embracing love .
Queer Joy as an Act of Defiance
Gadsby has never shied away from calling out injustice, and Something Special is no exception. The special tackles homophobic bakers, the absurdity of wedding politics, and the surreal experience of roadkill mishaps—all delivered with Gadsby’s signature wit . But beyond the laughs, the special is a celebration of queer resilience. In an interview with PinkNews, Gadsby framed Something Special as an exploration of "radical queer joy," a direct response to the rising tide of transphobia and anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric .
This defiance extends to Gadsby’s relationship with Netflix itself. The comedian has been vocal about the platform’s handling of trans rights, particularly after Dave Chappelle’s controversial specials. While Something Special doesn’t directly address these tensions, Gadsby’s willingness to challenge power structures—even those that platform them—remains a defining trait .
Behind the Scenes: A Sydney Opera House Homecoming
Filmed at the iconic Sydney Opera House, Something Special is a homecoming of sorts for Gadsby, who hails from Australia. The venue’s grandeur contrasts with the special’s intimate themes, creating a visual metaphor for Gadsby’s journey: a global star returning to their roots to share a deeply personal story . The choice of location also underscores the special’s emotional weight—this isn’t just a comedy show; it’s a milestone.
What’s Next for Gadsby?
With a Peabody and a Primetime Emmy under their belt, Gadsby’s career shows no signs of slowing down . Something Special may be their third Netflix special, but it feels like a new chapter—one where love, not just trauma, takes the spotlight. Whether they’ll return to the stage for another special remains unconfirmed, but if Something Special is any indication, Gadsby’s next project will likely be just as bold, personal, and unapologetically queer.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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