Micky Overman’s The Precipice is an in-depth look into the concept of motherhood and the role a mother plays in society, and pursues this subject with carefully structured jokes that give us a glimpse into her logical reasoning and thought process, which become a snarky and matter-of-fact analysis of the state of society.
A snarky and matter-of-fact analysis of the state of society
Over the course of the hour, Overman discusses the milestones we start thinking about when we reach our 30s - or the consequences of our actions as she so superbly puts it - including decisions over marriage and whether or not to have a baby. She has a sharp wit that turns her jokes into feminist statements and discussion about the social expectations placed on women, which informs her subsequent reflection on her own life and relationships. In doing so, Overman intermingles personal and political jokes on the state of the world, her family, and how she believes she is perceived in the world.
There’s a very measured tone to the jokes in the entire show that occasionally takes on an edge that indicates to us that Overman wants us to know that she's making a joke about how serious she is about what she is saying in the moment, as she balances humour and commenting on the state of the world. The political messaging behind Overman’s jokes are always very clear, although she does make sure to explain the occasional joke that might land flatter than others, but this doesn’t happen often. She pursues avenues of thought that lead us down a veritable rabbit hole of possibilities as well as areas of life that we hadn’t really thought about before, and Overman forces our attention to give us deeper insight into the way things work.
Rose-tinted goggles may not have smell memory, but despite that, The Precipice is worth going into the bowels of Hive for.
