Summary
Novak’s writing, joke delivery, and stage presence are truly remarkable. Jacqueline Novak: Get on Your Knees is the first great piece of art of 2024.
You might not have heard the name Jacqueline Novak before today, but she breaks out in her first comedy special for Netflix titled Jacqueline Novak: Get on Your Knees. Her off-Broadway, one-woman show of the same name earned her a nomination at the 2023 Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Solo Performance.
Jacqueline Novak: Get on Your Knees sees Novak hit the stage for a 90-minute musical comedy special revolving around the blowjob.
Novak opens by thanking the audience for the warm welcome but says walking to the mic was equally as awkward as traveling down to man’s netherregions. She explains that over the next hour and a half, she will be talking about the blowjob quite a bit.
When watching this special you have to understand a few things. First, you will have to catch on to Novak’s quick-talking delivery that keeps you on your toes. While the delivery will turn some off, others will cling to her every word. Second, if you can follow along with the delivery, the special is full of sex talk. From deconstructing the penis or the blowjob to talking about the vulva, if grownup talk offends you, this isn’t for you.
I wasn’t familiar with Novak heading into the special and did a little research before diving head first into Get on Your Knees. I knew what to expect from the special, but reading about it and watching it are two different things. Should a stand-up special about the penis/blowjob that is ninety minutes long work? Probably not.
But honestly, Novak’s writing is truly a work of art. Her ability to play with words makes things that aren’t funny on the surface hilarious. Her mannerisms, deeply descriptive words, and charisma make this work in ways it shouldn’t. The confidence in her storytelling reels you into her world. She has some of the most incredible stage presence I’ve seen in a long time.
We’ve seen comedians like Dave Chappelle come on the stage and tell jokes with a cigarette in hand, while comedians like Kevin Hart will use facial expressions, move around, and use added elements to bring an extra layer to their jokes. And while different things work for different comedians, Novak delivered in a simple yet effective way in Get on Your Knees. She didn’t need anything other than the mic, the stage, and a spotlight.
Let me start by saying Jacqueline Novak: Get on Your Knees won’t be for everyone. The humor is very raunchy, and those easily offended or who don’t want to hear Novak tells jokes for an hour and a half about penises and blowjobs simply should not watch it.
For me, Get on Your Knees is the perfect way to kick off the new year in the world of comedy. It’s one of the most original pieces of material that I’ve seen in a long time. Novak’s delivery, stage presence, and writing hit a home run for me.
What did you think of Jacqueline Novak: Get on Your Knees? Comment below.
