Everybody's Live with John Mulaney

Mulaney is an excellent host: a steady hand with a sharp wit and enough self-awareness to know when to push a point further or move on to the next idea. His supporting team is affable (love you, Rich; love you, Saymo), and his format is sound.

What made this first episode of Everybody’s Live so exciting was how much of it felt genuinely unscripted. .... Mulaney really shines as a host by nurturing a genuine curiosity — about the world, about his guests’ stories, about the lives of the callers.

For all Mulaney’s self-deprecation, though, there’s still a confidence to picking right back up where he left off almost a year ago.

Much like last year’s version, this one retains a mix of the early years of Jimmy Kimmel Live! with the spirit of Saturday Night Live, broken up by footage of Los Angeles and its inhabitants talking to the camera as if they were extras in How To With John Wilson. .... Thank goodness for any differences he’s bringing to the format!

That seemed to be the overall problem with the show’s first episode—a few wonderful ideas with sometimes subpar execution. But while it was awkward at times, Everybody’s Live had enough moments that made tuning in worth it. .... But with some fine-tuning, Everybody’s Live could be something really special.

“Everybody’s Live” recreated that show [“Everybody’s in L.A.”] for a slightly wider audience. It’s not quite as Los Angeles-centric; it’s still just as weird.

Mulaney looks comfortable in his new hosting gig, while some pre-recorded bits and eclectic guests assist in the ridiculousness the show provides. However, throwing everything in but the kitchen sink feels like a convoluted concoction that confuses more than it entertains.