Mike Birbiglia Explores Fatherhood in New Netflix Special ‘The Good Life’

LOS ANGELES, CA — Stand-up comedian Mike Birbiglia is set to release his new special, “The Good Life,” on Netflix on May 26. In the trailer, he shares insights about his father, a doctor who pursued a law degree in his free time, revealing, “He was larger than life,” while reflecting on the complexities of parenthood.

The one-man show addresses Birbiglia’s father’s recent stroke and its impact on his own parenting style. “It made me reevaluate my approach,” he explains, touching on how personal challenges influence his comedy.

In addition to family, Birbiglia discusses his health and its effect on his diet. He recalls a moment when his wife, Jenny, prepared a pancake just for him, emphasizing, “She knows the right amount of pancakes for me to eat. It’s pancake.”

Birbiglia has been performing “The Good Life” since October, showcasing it multiple times at the Beacon Theatre in New York. He developed the special following the success of his previous Emmy-nominated special, “The Old Man and the Pool,” which also premiered on Netflix.

In a statement, Birbiglia described “The Good Life” as his most personal work yet, stating, “It’s not in my past. It’s my life right now.” He candidly noted the vulnerability he feels on stage when sharing his experiences.

The special is directed by Seth Barrish, with design contributions from Beowulf Boritt and Aaron Copp. Birbiglia serves as executive producer alongside John Skidmore and Joe Birbiglia, with Best Kept Secret producing the show.

Birbiglia is well-known for his past specials, including “The New One” and “My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend.” He also wrote, directed, and starred in the indie film “Don’t Think Twice” in 2016 and hosts the podcast “Working It Out.”