Fortune Feimster: Sweet & Salty

Originally premiering on Netflix in 2020, Fortune Feimster: Sweet & Salty is a stand-up comedy special starring the southern-born, famously lesbian comedian Fortune Feimster. This laugh-a-minute show is the first hour-long stand-up special for the comedian who has been involved in myriad other comedy projects on TV and film. The show captures Feimster in her natural comic habitat, joyfully expressing heartwarming humor and cleverly extracting laughs from her unique life story.

In Sweet & Salty, Fortune Feimster delivers an undeniably hilarious and charming performance that speaks to a wide range of audiences. Born in North Carolina, she grew up in a small town where excitement was a rare occurrence. It is these formative years, from her cheerleading days to fast-food indulgences, that form the backbone of this comedy special. Infused with humor as rich and delicious as a southern layer cake, she crafts a narrative steeped in authenticity, captivating audiences with her relatable storytelling style.

Humor is a potent force, and Fortune uses it to dissect her own significant life experiences. She discusses her excursion into the Girl Scouts, her undying love for Hooters which she equates to Disneyland, as well as diving into the absurdities of her everyday life. Fortune’s humor is friendly, warm, and inclusive, managing to be palatably acerbic without ever crossing the line into being unkind.

One of the highlights of the show is when she smoothly paints the picture of her coming-out experiences, revealing her struggles with accepting her sexuality and the sweet, laugh-out-loud moments that ensued. Her contrasting life stages, pre and post coming-out, are accentuated with generous humor. Fortune candidly shares her journey about understanding her homosexual identity within the context of her southern origins. She raises relatable, introspective questions about identity and acceptance that humanize her well beyond her comedy persona.

Audiences are also treated to a riotous account of a vacation she took with her family to Myrtle Beach, featuring detailed character portraits of her family members. Her hearty style of self-deprecation adds a personal touch that is distinct and provides an intimate perspective on her upbringing.

Fortune Feimster’s comedic talent shines on the stage. She is expressive, animated, and instantly likable. Her humor is mainly observational and broadens to become a leeway into exploring more serious subjects. It is this skill to intertwine comedy and introspection that sets her apart. She tackles different topics - her sexuality, her southern upbringing, and societal norms - with a blend of wit and wisdom. Her jokes are thought-provoking and often carry an undercurrent of social commentary.

The pacing of the series strikes a perfect balance, and Feimster's comedic timing is nuanced and well-adjusted to her material. Her craft as a stand-up comedian is obvious, as she works her way through each story with ease, punctuating the narrative with perfectly timed punchlines, rest points, and hilarious asides. The show's setup is fairly simple and straightforward, placing the emphasis on Fortune and her compelling natural storytelling. The simplicity of the production values contributes to the authenticity and rawness of her stories, stripping away any distractions from her performance.

Overall, Fortune Feimster: Sweet & Salty delivers an entertaining and fulfilling experience by artfully blending humor with real-life experiences. Fortune's singular comedic style is marked by wit, heartfelt insights, and a mix of self-deprecation and exuberant confidence that make her uniquely relatable. Her charming southern twang coupled with her contagious energy makes every second of this comedy show captivating. Whether you're familiar with Feimster's previous work or you're newly discovering her, Fortune Feimster: Sweet & Salty makes a delightful watch. From hearty laughs to thoughtful statements about our socio-cultural milieu, this exceptional comedy series hits all the right buttons.