Kate Berlant and John Early Discuss the Origin of ‘Would It Kill You to Laugh?’ and Their ‘Absence of Sexual Tension’
Sasha Urban editorWhat is the most famous gay and half-Jewish comedy duo you can think of? If you’re coming up short, the answer is Kate Berlant and John Early, who have solidified that reputation in the zeitgeist with their Peacock special, “Would It Kill You to Laugh?,” which premiered on Friday.The special, directed by Andrew DeYoung, is extremely high concept. It sets the scene of Berlant and Early’s decades-long feud and public falling-out from their hit sitcom, “He’s Gay, She’s Half-Jewish.” Meredith Vieira (yes, the real broadcast journalist) sits them down for an interview and things quickly go sideways, as the two battle it out over who got the rights to which comedic bits in their settlement.