This one always makes me near tear up. You are literally seeing a man self-destruct and beg for help on stage. The fact that he was able to step away enough to survive after this is fantastic. Other people haven’t had that strength and left us too early as a result.
Awww, poor multimillionaire with a wildly successful comedy career and countless adoring fans. Let's all feel sorry for him, because unlike the rest of us, he's got REAL problems. 🙄
I love how Bo is both the antithesis AND the epitome of an entire generation's sense of humor. Millenial/early gen z humor is really defeatist. The entire thought process is "life sucks let's laugh" but rather than going fully nihilist, Bo uses his humor to make impactful points that lots of other people are afraid to talk about or they seem weak in a world that taught us that weakness is the worst thing we can feel. Yet another reason Bo is the GOAT
Millennial humor is the movement from modernism, post-modernism and post-postmodernism. Bo is not alone in this. Even Rick and Morty is post-postmodernist.
@@AllTheArtsy I understand what you're saying, and I agree but I can't help but feeling that this naming convention is going to become quite unmanageable in the remarkably near future.
During this tour Bo was having frequent panic attacks on stage. When his voice and hand was shaking towards the end, he was having one then. He walked away from stand up for a few years to pursue other ventures (acting & directing). He eventually decided he was "mentally stable" enough to go back on the road, but it was in January 2020, right before the pandemic. Which led to the masterpiece of "Inside".
The name of this special was Make Happy. The part at the end where he says “I hope you’re happy” calls back to the line where he says “laugh as he attempts to give you what he can’t give himself.” He’s performing at the expense of his mental health to make others happy. A lot of people think the “I hope you’re happy” is followed by a silent “because I’m sure not.” A lot of people also think it’s a “I hope you’re happy with what you’ve done to me.”
the "because im sure not" is either mistook or inspired by the line "i hope that you're happy, cause hes sure not" in his other song left brain, right brain but if i remember correctly that song is in his special "what" not in "make happy" but interesting perspective nonetheless.
My husband n I went to this show and were in tears at the end. When we got back go the car my husband said " I think he's done". We didn't think he would ever do another special or tour. You could just see the sadness.
A big part of why this was Bo's last performance for 5 years was because he had been having frequent panic attacks on stage. You can sometimes see it in some of his performances but Bo has said himself, that when he's rewatched performances where he remembers having a panic attack even he can't hardly tell, because he spends so much time memorizing the script that the performance is engrained in him to be perfect. A lot of the time it can be caught by how out of breath or shaky his voice sounds like at the end of this performance.
One thing to note about the ending: He says, "Handle this right, I'll handle this right, handle this right now" then drops the mic and walks off stage and doesn't perform again for 5 years to work on his mental health... literally right at that moment to go handle it correctly and no longer feed into what has been damaging to his mental health (performing).
I love that the "handle this right" and "they don't even know the half of it right" was already primed with chipotle earlier where the burrito couldn't fit "half of it" - it really kinda sneaks into your brain
Ok the most beautiful part of this is that you understood his metaphor with the burrito being “fame”. He’s spoken several times about it- the fact that the whole “I wouldn’t a got the *blank* if I knew it wouldn’t fit” is his processing everything being famous brought into his life. He’s saying “I wouldn’t have done this if I had known what it would do to my life”
According to himself, in several interviews, he didn’t actually mean that as a metaphor. He was actually just singing about pringles and burritos. But hes so clever people automatically over analyze everything he says, cause you never know 😅
That final line 'Thank you, goodnight, I hope you're happy', I believe he's stated in interviews since that it was both sincere and ironic, and the intent behind it would change each night on tour depending on his mental state: Some nights it was a completely genuine expression that he hoped the audience enjoyed his performance, others it was a bitter ironic statement like 'I hope you're happy with yourself after what you've done to me', and most nights it was a little of both.
I genuinely believe this to be one of the most defining performances of human creativity and genius ever performed, or at least of the 21st Century. Never fails to give me goosebumps and make me tear up. I wouldn't mind another 10 minutes of discussion and reflection at the end, there's so much to say about it and your insight and way of expressing your thoughts is so interesting and compelling
Truth. (Or “no🧢” if you’re GenZ.) I hate that the word ‘genius’ gets thrown around so casually that it’s become watered down, because this is one of the rare instances it really applies. Bo is very likely one of the most brilliant people in entertainment today. Here you’ve got an accomplished rapper who talks about how great his lyrics are. If you watch reactions by sound engineers they’ll tell you how impressed they are with his sound engineering here. If you watch reactions by lighting designers they’ll tell you how impressed they are with his use of lighting here. Absolute genius.
"I should probably just shut up and do my job so here I go" as he goes back to the "funny" lines from earlier, the spotlights illuminating him as an individual fade to black and the lights behind him open wide to drown out his whole person, making him a faceless entertainer "just doing his job"
My favorite part is the way he twists his voice "part of me neeeeds you" sounds so parasitic. Also I find it interesting he goes from "I don't think they can handle this right now, I think it's time I handle this right now" right before ending it and then taking time away.
I love how you figured out all the layers right away. I've seen a lot of people who don't grasp the metaphors of the pringles can being the inability to reach a goal, and the burrito standing for having too much on your plate. And both of them turning into a mess if you try to deal with them.
So something that a lot of people don't know about this song specifically, is that Bo Burnham was having a panic attack the entire time he was on that stage. The whole time that he was up there doing that skit he was in a panic attack. Those three screams is what alerted his producers to get him off the stage. He even stopped performing for 5 years after this.
The thing abt the screams being unplanned is a myth. The screams were scripted (though the third one is very raw) and that was the last performance of the show. He was having a panic attack (you can see his hand shaking) but I believe he said in at least one interview that every detail of his show was scripted, so he was able to go trough with them even when he was dissociating cause he had everything meticulously rehearsed and planned (maybe that's also a myth....LOL....but he was indeed having panic attacks in a lot of shows and just going straight ahead)
@@moonflowerme6246 The Pringles can reads to me more as a metaphor for his addiction to the crowd. At first he was able to get enough of a reaction from the crowd to satisfy his need for their approval, but every time he needed a bit more of a reaction to get there, till he couldn't get enough anymore and had to tip over his performance to get a reaction from them, but it wasn't enough and it left him a mess. Him saying that he wanted a daughter so she could reach into the can, was him saying that he wanted a child, so that her incent love for her father could fill the hole created by his need for the crowd's approval. That's my read anyway.
@@moonflowerme6246 Bo himself said in an interview the burrito thing was literally just talking about... a burrito lol. it wasnt a metaphor for anything deeper. everyone just read too far into it and made it up
I always seen the Pringles, Gym and Chipotle lines as metaphors for 'Not fitting in'. Phenomenal! I've watched this rant more times than I can count and still get chills every damn time. This is the most raw "comedy" performance piece ever. No contest.
In one interview, Bo talked about how he loves multi dimensional performances not just words, but also sound design and lighting design. In this piece, you really feel all of that creative work on full display as the lighting is its own masterpiece along with the Brilliant metaphors.
@@XAn0nymousX0 google is easy 🤷♂️. Verify if you want. Also, it’s the only song he ever made that’s not available on Apple Music or Spotify. Wonder why
My God knox you are the best reactor on this app. Hands down. This is the best react to this art...and watching you catch it as it went was incredible. This was his last show before the hiatus he took...those yells were not planned, he was having a panic attack. Live performances were grating on him. Which is why the covid special was soooo good.
Bro I’ve listened to can’t handle 100+ times and probably watched 20 different reaction videos to it, and I never noticed (intentional or not), the word play of “can-t hand-le” and “hand in a can.” Brilliant catch. Love this song and performance, great reaction. 👏
This song has helped me through a lot of anxiety attacks. Expectations are rough, and this song perfectly encapsulates the dark humor and comradery that is needed. I am so happy that he is doing better. He has helped a lot of people through his art, and he deserves the same mental support.
I’ve heard (not sure where though, might have been an interview) that most of the show in which he had panic attack was left out of the special. Don’t know which parts though, but allegedly his ”I hope your happy” sounded way different in that show.
@@milfordcubicle8511 Both New York showings were spliced together - it's how they were able to achieve the continuity error joke earlier in the special.
Bo is a truly original artist. He started out with teen boy humor to go viral on youtube, but he's too intelligent, aware and empathetic to ignore the implications of his fame, the insignificance of his fame, and what his position as someone growing up in front of an audience really means. He's naturally funny, but he's really more of a poet, and as he grew older his art morphed from superficial to honest, his art became so layered and complex. His art now is almost its own genre because he wants to entertain but he also wants to warn his audiences of the perils of giving yourself over to internet fame, how it alters your way of understanding both yourself and the world around you. I have friends who say they don't get Bo or how people find him funny, and I think, that's the point Bo is trying to make with all his art, really. Because some people think, Bo's a comedian, so I should be able to watch him and laugh and forget about my problems, but Bo doesn't let you. Bo wants to entertain, but he also wants to point out to his audience that as much as you would like to forget, you can't and neither can he. That's why some people don't like him, because Bo's honesty makes them uncomfortable. They feel called out, whether consciously or subconsciously. And the fact that some people click away from one of his specials after a few minutes of seriousness with no laughs proves Bo's point better than anything else does: the fact that he feels he has to give the audience superficiality to hold their attention. Like every other young influencer who curates themselves for the camera. And that's why he says he wouldn't have got the lettuce if he knew it wouldn't fit. He wouldn't have started down this path, if he knew it would change him the way it did.
This is such a fucking good video Bro I have watched that Kayne rant like 15 times at least, and I have NEVER picked up on the word play of the " can " and "handle" portion of the song with the pringles can portion. That is so fucking smart bro, that is why I watch you Knox always breaking shit down like no one else. Love your content man keep it up
As a dj that sometimes have panic attacks while playing, this hits home, I know this for years, since im a big Bo fan, but is always nice to see how you manage to really get things, I dont think I know another person reacting to stuff and actually gettin it, you are the only one, thanks for this.
It really hits towards the end when everyone starts cheering. Like that was the whole point. He laid himself bare in front of everyone, which if anything should be somber or sad, but everyone cheered and were entertained by his suffering.
I don't think people were enjoying his suffering more of his performance and how beautiful it was, realizing how much courage it takes to do this is insane and understanding the lyrics... Rare I'd give a 10/10..
I have watched "Can't Handle This" dozens of times with dozens of different reactors. You are the first that I have seen saw the You CAN HANDle this and the pringle can and hand connection. I never knew that till you said that so thank you!
i loved bo from his very beginning when he would just do stuff in his room, he opened up about how he would have panic atttacks in the middle of his shows this is why he was done after make happy until he got better.
I never knew how much of a flex it was that I can fit my hand in a Pringle can until this song. I’m so glad you noticed he was doing the voice effects himself. It adds so much to this performance
I've watched this so many times. Such a powerful performance. I always get goosebumps when he says he should shut up and do his job and goes back into the comedy, and the audience start cheering. I don't think they even realise what they did. As always love the reaction man! :)
LOVED watching your reaction! Your attention to the nuances throughout the performance gifted me with a deeper level of appreciation for an artist I already respect. Thank you!
You catch so many references that other reactors miss. When you tied "can handle this" to the Pringles can and hand, I wondered if it was a stretch. But then I caught "you don't know the half of this" and his line about the "two radiuses" of a Pringles can not being enough hit me. I didn't pick up on the metaphors until you started calling them out.
"You don't know the half of this" ties into the burrito scheme. "I wouldn't have got half of it if I knew it wouldn't fit" literally means the other half fit, which means it's under wraps or secret. In other words, we're only seeing what he couldn't hold inside without bursting. That to me is the importance of INSIDE. Even that title is a double. INSIDE his house. And INSIDE what he kept under wraps.
Bo would have panic attacks during this part on stage. Ended up taking 5 years off and then came out with the Inside special which furthers the tale of Bo’s mental health journey. He is a brilliant mind and a beautiful artist.
my favorite moment in this song is really early on when he goes "if you hear me put your hands up! look at all those hands that can't fit inside of pringles cans. your hand doesn't fit inside a pringle can, your hand doesn't fit inside a pringle can, you think you can, i know you can't." it's way too early on for the audience to have caught on to any sort of metaphor, so it plays off as a pretty funny bit, but looking back it's genuinely chilling. he's talking about how a sense of fulfillment is always just out of reach for him, then he demonstrates the widespread nature of this deep-seated dissatisfaction by inviting the audience to commiserate with him about the pringles thing. he says you think you can fit your hand in the can, you think you're happy and you have everything you need to be successful, but we both know that that's not really true. because the problem isn't our hands, the problem is the pringle can. the factors outside of our control that are making us all feel this way. and you don't even clock any of this until you get to the last section of the song because he communicates all of this while never letting on that he's not talking about pringles.
Been waiting for this for so long EDIT: I knew it. You get it. The first time I watched this, it made me question my choice to pursue success as a musician. I'm still playing, but now with a much greater consciousness of what it could to do to me over time; and a greater focus on performing as much for myself as the audience. That moment when he goes back to the Chipotle metaphor, it gets me emotional every single time. Like, now that we know what's going on, it's not funny anymore. He's just "doing his job" and ik how that feels from working shit jobs my whole life. So much love for that man, hope so much to meet him someday.
The thing he attempts to give is happiness. And you braking down the hand and can connecting to I don’t think I CAN HANDle this, that was so good! I never thought of that
Bo seems to always deliver powerful songs like this at the end of his specials. I'd recommend checking out "We Think We Know You: from his What? special. It give's me some what similar vibes to this song. Also "Right Brain Left Brain" is fun too.
I especially love the fact that he says if they don’t get it say it again and then starts screaming about how he can’t handle this. it feels like a jab at the audience for only caring about the the comedy and not about him and his problems
Going back to the chipotle lines after the final part is so powerful. You shold have warn me... I wouldnt have gotten all these things if I new I couldnt handle them. OMFG its insane
First off, I’m amazed at how quickly you can pick up on the “thought of mind” someone is giving while performing. I wanted to bring the topic of emotions up for Bo’s show. He starts off with pringles and chipotle trying to have the entire crowd relate with each other in a light manner. When he drops the words “I think it’s time we break it down” at 10:20 in your video, he starts to give you a connection to himself talking about his actual problems. A part me me loves, hates, needs and fears you, bringing more emotions in.Then you brought up him giving too much of himself to you at the perfect time. Bringing the crowd together on a deeper feeling together. The overall feeling he is giving everyone is, what’s it worth giving people everything you have and always end up,every time, still having to keep looking for the same love and connection but at the same time can’t help yourself from wanting as much as you can eat.
This was a brilliant reaction man. I’ve never seen anyone make the connections between his comedic metaphors and the more serious undertones as well as you did. You absolutely nailed exactly what he was wanting people to take away from this, but sadly I feel like its lost on so many. Great video, I’m definitely subscribing after this!
Man I been waiting on this one. Bo really has a way of making you laugh while simultaneously almost making you feel bad for laughing. I just want to give that guy a hug.
Bo Burnham is truly a lyrical genius, he has time and time and time again proven himself to be one of the GREATEST comedians of all time, truly the GOAT of comedy
In my opinion, his greatest performance skill is the ability to build a foundation in his songs that you can go back to and appreciate more when you've heard the full song. I honestly feel like I know him from his performances. He's helped me to unwrap my own mental health issues with his art.
I've been a fan of Bo for 5 years and I've heard this song over 20 times now, but I never realized how metaphorical this song and title is. Thanks for that
When I make comments I rarely do it positively, this is an exception. I found value in your comments and your interruptions weren't annoying. Not that you should care.
His burrito story on this is an analogy regarding his career. He's saying he wishes someone would have warned him on what fame and hollywood would be like. He would have avoided so much more to protect himself and now everything he thought would make him happy is actually a mess now and it's no longer what he wants. That's why he gets so serious in the last part of the song talking about his true feelings as a performer and as a person.
This was such an on point reaction where nothing slipped by that at first I was suspicious this wasn't actually a real reaction. But, I mean, you definitely have the experience and the expertise to just immediately see all of it as a musician, so bravo.
Not that I was expecting anything less, but what a perfect breakdown. You almost got everything he was saying. This is one of the best song performances I've ever seen. Now, please please please do All Eyes On Me.
Wow this was an extremely detailed analysis, you caught so many things I never considered, and I've watched this dozens of times. Amazing reaction! Thank you.
It’s another irony in life that the funniest people usually have the most issues themselves. It’s a mask they wear. I hope Bo is getting the help he needs. We’ve lost too many greats already. Another fantastic breakdown, Knox. Thanks!
the fact that all of his examples are framed as jokes but are all in a way about "not fitting in" is very clever and him having panic attacks on stage brings a whole new light to this. definitely one of my favorite bo moments fs
Think you are my favorite Bo interpreter. 76 yr old here from his home state: Mass. I think he's most intelligent person I've ever come across. You are up there: showed me something I may have missed because of my Boomer status. Hope we all can get thru forthcoming election.
i have heard this song a million times and never tought about actual message behind before you so perfectly described it. thank you! such a great dechipher of a song you heard for the first time and shed light on a lot of good things
One of my favorite songs in Bo's older shows, for sure. I was so looking forward to your reaction here. You caught so many layers! Another thing to note is that it's after this point that he began having his panic attacks while performing and had to leave the comedy circuit for years, which then led to the brilliance of the Inside project during the pandemic. He reveals so much of himself in his work.
Knowing after the fact what was going on with Bo and what would happen to him, I wonder what would have happened if everyone in the audience would have been able to come up on stage and just give him a collective hug. Show their appreciation and support for him. I just imagine that and wonder if the magnitude and emotion of that would have been enough to break the tight grip he was trying to hold emotionally and if he could have just let it go at that moment knowing that deep down, regardless of whether people liked what he did in the future, they appreciated what he had done and wanted the best for him and that he deserved it. I feel like his depression, and most, came from retreating inside himself too much and that an overwhelming show of emotion by others could really bring someone back into reality. It's just so much that there is nothing left to do but have all the walls crumble in the face of it all. I'm sorry it took him 5 years to get through it.
I knew that he was done touring and with comedy for personal reasons in 2015 so I was glad to see this show, but it all made sense WHY he was quitting when he performed this. So when he announced his special Inside, I was so happy he finally felt he was in a place to give us pieces of himself again. I honestly cried watching him perform the last half of this because it made sense and I'd followed Bo since he was just on RUclips.
This used to make me cry every time, I had a crippling social anxiety and I made a deal with my mom that I couldn't break. I shouldn't have done the deal in the first place, it wasn't fit for me, and I couldn't disappoint my mother so kept doing it even though it breaks me every single time. I need to speak in front of a crowd every week and that used to keep me awake and tearing up every night. I have jamias vu every time even though I've done it a couple of times and haven't messed up but it still gave me anxiety. But I'm fine now, Taylor Swift, Bo Burnham and BTS are my fav artists. I'm healing now.
This is my favorite performance ever and have seen it so many times (and reacted to many times) and never caught the comparison between the burrito expert and him creating a career that he couldn't in the end handle. Thank you Knox, you made this even more special to me.
Knox! Thank you so much for truly getting it! This performance hits so hard if you can truly understand his humor and his emotions. Because this performance is so great and so real, I watched several reaction videos today and I was really disappointed until I got to yours. I was shocked to see just how many people really don’t understand the depth of what’s happening here; even some psychotherapists on here. And not only that but you were able to on the spot, identify parallels and word play that I didn’t see even after several times of watching this. You have a brilliant mind just like Bo. One more thing, I’m an old millennial and I have never gotten super into social media and podcasts and subscribing for things. I’ve done it a little, but it’s just not part of my thought process, but I subscribed to you and I can’t wait to watch more of your reactions and hear your thoughts! Thanks!
Thank you again for your continued attention to detail and thoroughness. There really aren’t enough content creators who approach their work in this way.
So many thoughtful statements from Knox and commenters, it’s wonderful to see conversations about mental health. On a lighter note I choked on my coffee at the auto-tuned McFlurry request.
This is my favorite one of his songs, because the Pringles and the chipotle parts of the song are so connected to life. How society has created this shape that we’re all forced to fit into it but can’t. We try to reach in and reshape ourselves, and change what we look like to fit into what it wants but we can’t. And we try to shove ourselves full of so many things that we just explode. We can’t handle everything life asks us to do and society demands we do and so we self-destruct.
I've watched this vid (and reactions to this vid) hundreds of times and not once did I or anyone else that I know of catch the Bo-is-the-messy-burrito parallel . . . that's why I love watching your stuff Knox.
I first watched Bo's Netflix special like 3 years ago and this is the first time I've noticed all the genius word play and metaphores. You're cool Knox, you've got yourself a subscriber.
I've loved this song and reactions to it for years. But you're the first person I've ever seen bring up the wordplay of "Can't Handle this" as it relates back to the Pringles Can. So awesome dude!
This is the best reaction to t his I have ever seen. You are a legend, sir. As someone who struggles with many of the same things as the amazing Bo, this song helps me and makes me feel heard.
great reaction, more bo is allways welcome! ^^ you can really react to any songs from his "make happy", "inside" and "inside outtakes" specials. but personally i would say "inside - all eyes on me" is a good follow up to "make happy - kanye rant".
@@alvatrous i personally feel like that's a stretch, but art is subjective and transient. Even if Bo didn't intend that in his lyricism, Knox finding it is pretty cool.
Part of the meaning for that ending, when he said, "I hope you're happy", it is a return to the title of the show, Make Happy, that he flashes at the same time. If you pay attention throughout the show, the entire thing is about what it means to be happy and to make others happy, and what kind of effects it has on ourselves when you put others before your own happiness... Bo Burnham absolutely knocks it out of the park with this show... The same goes for his other two specials on Netflix.
I've heard this song maybe 50 times and never put together the "Can/Hand" from the pringles and the "Can't/Handle" of the rest of it. Cool observation.
![Bo Burnham - Can't Handle This (Kanye Rant) - MAKE HAPPY Netflix [HD]](/img/1.gif)
This one always makes me near tear up. You are literally seeing a man self-destruct and beg for help on stage. The fact that he was able to step away enough to survive after this is fantastic. Other people haven’t had that strength and left us too early as a result.
Good lookin pic
@@NaimV_fx couldn’t have said it better myself.
Does this count as r/beetlejuicing?
@@seanbanks9062 I'll allow it
Awww, poor multimillionaire with a wildly successful comedy career and countless adoring fans. Let's all feel sorry for him, because unlike the rest of us, he's got REAL problems. 🙄
I love how Bo is both the antithesis AND the epitome of an entire generation's sense of humor. Millenial/early gen z humor is really defeatist. The entire thought process is "life sucks let's laugh" but rather than going fully nihilist, Bo uses his humor to make impactful points that lots of other people are afraid to talk about or they seem weak in a world that taught us that weakness is the worst thing we can feel. Yet another reason Bo is the GOAT
Millennial humor is the movement from modernism, post-modernism and post-postmodernism. Bo is not alone in this. Even Rick and Morty is post-postmodernist.
@@AllTheArtsy I understand what you're saying, and I agree but I can't help but feeling that this naming convention is going to become quite unmanageable in the remarkably near future.
"You got nothing on me, I'm a nihilist!"
@@trajectoryunown those are actual terms in art history btw. How is the history of art so uncreative?
@@trajectoryunown i cant wait for post-post-post-post-post-post-post-post-post-post-post-post-post-post-post-
During this tour Bo was having frequent panic attacks on stage. When his voice and hand was shaking towards the end, he was having one then. He walked away from stand up for a few years to pursue other ventures (acting & directing). He eventually decided he was "mentally stable" enough to go back on the road, but it was in January 2020, right before the pandemic. Which led to the masterpiece of "Inside".
Waiting for Inside 2 of ICU now
The last yell as well, when you are aware he had a panic attack. Heartbreaking. Glad he is doing okay now
The name of this special was Make Happy. The part at the end where he says “I hope you’re happy” calls back to the line where he says “laugh as he attempts to give you what he can’t give himself.” He’s performing at the expense of his mental health to make others happy. A lot of people think the “I hope you’re happy” is followed by a silent “because I’m sure not.” A lot of people also think it’s a “I hope you’re happy with what you’ve done to me.”
The clever (and sad) thing with Bo is, i think he means it in every iteration at once.
the "because im sure not" is either mistook or inspired by the line "i hope that you're happy, cause hes sure not" in his other song left brain, right brain but if i remember correctly that song is in his special "what" not in "make happy" but interesting perspective nonetheless.
My husband n I went to this show and were in tears at the end. When we got back go the car my husband said " I think he's done". We didn't think he would ever do another special or tour. You could just see the sadness.
He was right... took 5 years before he made anything like this
Wow!
It's an honor to witness someone's change.
A big part of why this was Bo's last performance for 5 years was because he had been having frequent panic attacks on stage. You can sometimes see it in some of his performances but Bo has said himself, that when he's rewatched performances where he remembers having a panic attack even he can't hardly tell, because he spends so much time memorizing the script that the performance is engrained in him to be perfect. A lot of the time it can be caught by how out of breath or shaky his voice sounds like at the end of this performance.
One thing to note about the ending:
He says, "Handle this right, I'll handle this right, handle this right now" then drops the mic and walks off stage and doesn't perform again for 5 years to work on his mental health... literally right at that moment to go handle it correctly and no longer feed into what has been damaging to his mental health (performing).
I love that the "handle this right" and "they don't even know the half of it right" was already primed with chipotle earlier where the burrito couldn't fit "half of it" - it really kinda sneaks into your brain
Ok the most beautiful part of this is that you understood his metaphor with the burrito being “fame”. He’s spoken several times about it- the fact that the whole “I wouldn’t a got the *blank* if I knew it wouldn’t fit” is his processing everything being famous brought into his life. He’s saying “I wouldn’t have done this if I had known what it would do to my life”
According to himself, in several interviews, he didn’t actually mean that as a metaphor. He was actually just singing about pringles and burritos. But hes so clever people automatically over analyze everything he says, cause you never know 😅
@@milfordcubicle8511 there are interviews where he explained yes that is exactly what he meant
@@milfordcubicle8511 this is nonsense. He can say he didn’t mean any metaphor here, publicly… but he very, very clearly did. Plain and simple.
Here is the interview where he said he didn’t mean any kind of metaphor with the burrito: ruclips.net/video/eOABIabgRCg/видео.html
@@justinarnold7840 yup, at around 11:30 mark for those interested.
That final line 'Thank you, goodnight, I hope you're happy', I believe he's stated in interviews since that it was both sincere and ironic, and the intent behind it would change each night on tour depending on his mental state: Some nights it was a completely genuine expression that he hoped the audience enjoyed his performance, others it was a bitter ironic statement like 'I hope you're happy with yourself after what you've done to me', and most nights it was a little of both.
I genuinely believe this to be one of the most defining performances of human creativity and genius ever performed, or at least of the 21st Century. Never fails to give me goosebumps and make me tear up. I wouldn't mind another 10 minutes of discussion and reflection at the end, there's so much to say about it and your insight and way of expressing your thoughts is so interesting and compelling
Truth. (Or “no🧢” if you’re GenZ.)
I hate that the word ‘genius’ gets thrown around so casually that it’s become watered down, because this is one of the rare instances it really applies. Bo is very likely one of the most brilliant people in entertainment today.
Here you’ve got an accomplished rapper who talks about how great his lyrics are. If you watch reactions by sound engineers they’ll tell you how impressed they are with his sound engineering here. If you watch reactions by lighting designers they’ll tell you how impressed they are with his use of lighting here. Absolute genius.
Makes me well up the moment the strings come in.
It's so heartbreaking to know that this affected him so much that after this performance he didn't do another performance for I think five years...
and then...the funniest thing happened...
"I should probably just shut up and do my job so here I go" as he goes back to the "funny" lines from earlier, the spotlights illuminating him as an individual fade to black and the lights behind him open wide to drown out his whole person, making him a faceless entertainer "just doing his job"
This point in the show (the going back to being a faceless entertainer) reminds me of the midpoint of white woman's instagram.
My favorite part is the way he twists his voice "part of me neeeeds you" sounds so parasitic. Also I find it interesting he goes from "I don't think they can handle this right now, I think it's time I handle this right now" right before ending it and then taking time away.
I love how you figured out all the layers right away. I've seen a lot of people who don't grasp the metaphors of the pringles can being the inability to reach a goal, and the burrito standing for having too much on your plate. And both of them turning into a mess if you try to deal with them.
So something that a lot of people don't know about this song specifically, is that Bo Burnham was having a panic attack the entire time he was on that stage. The whole time that he was up there doing that skit he was in a panic attack. Those three screams is what alerted his producers to get him off the stage. He even stopped performing for 5 years after this.
The thing abt the screams being unplanned is a myth. The screams were scripted (though the third one is very raw) and that was the last performance of the show. He was having a panic attack (you can see his hand shaking) but I believe he said in at least one interview that every detail of his show was scripted, so he was able to go trough with them even when he was dissociating cause he had everything meticulously rehearsed and planned (maybe that's also a myth....LOL....but he was indeed having panic attacks in a lot of shows and just going straight ahead)
I listened to this song many times but I had never considered that the comedic section were a metaphor to the "serious" part. Thank you for this Knox!
Thank you for supporting and watching! Have a good day 🤟
The whole thing is a giant anxiety attack. The crumbs, the burrito falling apart..... All anxiety
@@moonflowerme6246 The Pringles can reads to me more as a metaphor for his addiction to the crowd. At first he was able to get enough of a reaction from the crowd to satisfy his need for their approval, but every time he needed a bit more of a reaction to get there, till he couldn't get enough anymore and had to tip over his performance to get a reaction from them, but it wasn't enough and it left him a mess. Him saying that he wanted a daughter so she could reach into the can, was him saying that he wanted a child, so that her incent love for her father could fill the hole created by his need for the crowd's approval.
That's my read anyway.
@@moonflowerme6246 Bo himself said in an interview the burrito thing was literally just talking about... a burrito lol. it wasnt a metaphor for anything deeper. everyone just read too far into it and made it up
@@_WeDontKnow_i don't really know if i'd say it's "making it up" to acknowledge a parallel. death of the author is a concept for a reason really
I always seen the Pringles, Gym and Chipotle lines as metaphors for 'Not fitting in'. Phenomenal! I've watched this rant more times than I can count and still get chills every damn time. This is the most raw "comedy" performance piece ever. No contest.
In one interview, Bo talked about how he loves multi dimensional performances not just words, but also sound design and lighting design. In this piece, you really feel all of that creative work on full display as the lighting is its own masterpiece along with the Brilliant metaphors.
This was his last performance before his 5 year hiatus. He had a full on anxiety attack on stage. Those yells at the end aren’t scripted
never knew that, thank you.
Sounds like you made that up
@@XAn0nymousX0 google is easy 🤷♂️. Verify if you want. Also, it’s the only song he ever made that’s not available on Apple Music or Spotify. Wonder why
The screams were scripted but also real and unfiltered at the same time.
The first two were scripted the last one wasn’t. He’s talked about it in interviews
My God knox you are the best reactor on this app. Hands down. This is the best react to this art...and watching you catch it as it went was incredible.
This was his last show before the hiatus he took...those yells were not planned, he was having a panic attack. Live performances were grating on him. Which is why the covid special was soooo good.
Bro I’ve listened to can’t handle 100+ times and probably watched 20 different reaction videos to it, and I never noticed (intentional or not), the word play of “can-t hand-le” and “hand in a can.” Brilliant catch. Love this song and performance, great reaction. 👏
This song has helped me through a lot of anxiety attacks. Expectations are rough, and this song perfectly encapsulates the dark humor and comradery that is needed. I am so happy that he is doing better. He has helped a lot of people through his art, and he deserves the same mental support.
Just got to the end there he had a genuine panic attack on stage on that last part which was the shouting, that’s when he quit until INSIDE
I’ve heard (not sure where though, might have been an interview) that most of the show in which he had panic attack was left out of the special. Don’t know which parts though, but allegedly his ”I hope your happy” sounded way different in that show.
@@milfordcubicle8511 Both New York showings were spliced together - it's how they were able to achieve the continuity error joke earlier in the special.
Okay … you just reminded me why you’re the 100% GOAT of breakdown… rap, rock, comedy… doesn’t matter. I appreciate what you do!!!
Bo is a truly original artist. He started out with teen boy humor to go viral on youtube, but he's too intelligent, aware and empathetic to ignore the implications of his fame, the insignificance of his fame, and what his position as someone growing up in front of an audience really means. He's naturally funny, but he's really more of a poet, and as he grew older his art morphed from superficial to honest, his art became so layered and complex. His art now is almost its own genre because he wants to entertain but he also wants to warn his audiences of the perils of giving yourself over to internet fame, how it alters your way of understanding both yourself and the world around you. I have friends who say they don't get Bo or how people find him funny, and I think, that's the point Bo is trying to make with all his art, really. Because some people think, Bo's a comedian, so I should be able to watch him and laugh and forget about my problems, but Bo doesn't let you. Bo wants to entertain, but he also wants to point out to his audience that as much as you would like to forget, you can't and neither can he. That's why some people don't like him, because Bo's honesty makes them uncomfortable. They feel called out, whether consciously or subconsciously. And the fact that some people click away from one of his specials after a few minutes of seriousness with no laughs proves Bo's point better than anything else does: the fact that he feels he has to give the audience superficiality to hold their attention. Like every other young influencer who curates themselves for the camera. And that's why he says he wouldn't have got the lettuce if he knew it wouldn't fit. He wouldn't have started down this path, if he knew it would change him the way it did.
This is such a fucking good video
Bro I have watched that Kayne rant like 15 times at least, and I have NEVER picked up on the word play of the " can " and "handle" portion of the song with the pringles can portion. That is so fucking smart bro, that is why I watch you Knox always breaking shit down like no one else. Love your content man keep it up
As a dj that sometimes have panic attacks while playing, this hits home, I know this for years, since im a big Bo fan, but is always nice to see how you manage to really get things, I dont think I know another person reacting to stuff and actually gettin it, you are the only one, thanks for this.
It really hits towards the end when everyone starts cheering. Like that was the whole point. He laid himself bare in front of everyone, which if anything should be somber or sad, but everyone cheered and were entertained by his suffering.
I don't think people were enjoying his suffering more of his performance and how beautiful it was, realizing how much courage it takes to do this is insane and understanding the lyrics... Rare I'd give a 10/10..
Most of the people there were cheering him for expressing his feelings, happy for him that he can go on stage and say these things
The crowed heard him loud and clear, they were just showing their support in the only way they could. Those cheers at the end were from the heart.
I have watched "Can't Handle This" dozens of times with dozens of different reactors. You are the first that I have seen saw the You CAN HANDle this and the pringle can and hand connection. I never knew that till you said that so thank you!
i loved bo from his very beginning when he would just do stuff in his room, he opened up about how he would have panic atttacks in the middle of his shows this is why he was done after make happy until he got better.
I never knew how much of a flex it was that I can fit my hand in a Pringle can until this song.
I’m so glad you noticed he was doing the voice effects himself. It adds so much to this performance
I've watched this so many times. Such a powerful performance. I always get goosebumps when he says he should shut up and do his job and goes back into the comedy, and the audience start cheering. I don't think they even realise what they did.
As always love the reaction man! :)
LOVED watching your reaction! Your attention to the nuances throughout the performance gifted me with a deeper level of appreciation for an artist I already respect. Thank you!
You catch so many references that other reactors miss. When you tied "can handle this" to the Pringles can and hand, I wondered if it was a stretch. But then I caught "you don't know the half of this" and his line about the "two radiuses" of a Pringles can not being enough hit me. I didn't pick up on the metaphors until you started calling them out.
"You don't know the half of this" ties into the burrito scheme. "I wouldn't have got half of it if I knew it wouldn't fit" literally means the other half fit, which means it's under wraps or secret. In other words, we're only seeing what he couldn't hold inside without bursting. That to me is the importance of INSIDE. Even that title is a double. INSIDE his house. And INSIDE what he kept under wraps.
@@theeternalsw0rd That's so obvious I missed it. 😬
Bo would have panic attacks during this part on stage. Ended up taking 5 years off and then came out with the Inside special which furthers the tale of Bo’s mental health journey. He is a brilliant mind and a beautiful artist.
I remember wathcing BO so many years ago and I always tried to tell my friends to watch him but no! now they love him...
Damn you don't miss
I’ve seen a bunch of reactions to this, and NOBODY has even come close to this depth with their breakdown. 🙌
They way you find the real meaning behind songs and catch everything is so good. Nox, you are viewer certified as a bad ass.
Bro, I’ve listened to this song 10+ times and I’ve never put together the can and hand-le word play before. 🤯 Knox you’re the lyric breakdown GOAT.
my favorite moment in this song is really early on when he goes "if you hear me put your hands up! look at all those hands that can't fit inside of pringles cans. your hand doesn't fit inside a pringle can, your hand doesn't fit inside a pringle can, you think you can, i know you can't."
it's way too early on for the audience to have caught on to any sort of metaphor, so it plays off as a pretty funny bit, but looking back it's genuinely chilling. he's talking about how a sense of fulfillment is always just out of reach for him, then he demonstrates the widespread nature of this deep-seated dissatisfaction by inviting the audience to commiserate with him about the pringles thing. he says you think you can fit your hand in the can, you think you're happy and you have everything you need to be successful, but we both know that that's not really true. because the problem isn't our hands, the problem is the pringle can. the factors outside of our control that are making us all feel this way.
and you don't even clock any of this until you get to the last section of the song because he communicates all of this while never letting on that he's not talking about pringles.
Been waiting for this for so long
EDIT: I knew it. You get it. The first time I watched this, it made me question my choice to pursue success as a musician. I'm still playing, but now with a much greater consciousness of what it could to do to me over time; and a greater focus on performing as much for myself as the audience.
That moment when he goes back to the Chipotle metaphor, it gets me emotional every single time. Like, now that we know what's going on, it's not funny anymore. He's just "doing his job" and ik how that feels from working shit jobs my whole life. So much love for that man, hope so much to meet him someday.
i love the moment when the reactor realizes he’s mixing it all
The thing he attempts to give is happiness. And you braking down the hand and can connecting to I don’t think I CAN HANDle this, that was so good! I never thought of that
Bo seems to always deliver powerful songs like this at the end of his specials. I'd recommend checking out "We Think We Know You: from his What? special. It give's me some what similar vibes to this song. Also "Right Brain Left Brain" is fun too.
I especially love the fact that he says if they don’t get it say it again and then starts screaming about how he can’t handle this.
it feels like a jab at the audience for only caring about the the comedy and not about him and his problems
Going back to the chipotle lines after the final part is so powerful.
You shold have warn me... I wouldnt have gotten all these things if I new I couldnt handle them. OMFG its insane
I’ve been waiting !!!! So excited🎉
I waited for this reaction. Thanks! I love all of your videos.
Loved watching his brain process the whole Pringle can thing. It was a gem that I didn't know I needed.
For some reason that "I hope you're happy" at the end sounded heartfelt while also spiteful at the same time
Pre-like cuz I love your reactions and love Bo. So it's gotta be good
First off, I’m amazed at how quickly you can pick up on the “thought of mind” someone is giving while performing. I wanted to bring the topic of emotions up for Bo’s show. He starts off with pringles and chipotle trying to have the entire crowd relate with each other in a light manner. When he drops the words “I think it’s time we break it down” at 10:20 in your video, he starts to give you a connection to himself talking about his actual problems. A part me me loves, hates, needs and fears you, bringing more emotions in.Then you brought up him giving too much of himself to you at the perfect time. Bringing the crowd together on a deeper feeling together.
The overall feeling he is giving everyone is, what’s it worth giving people everything you have and always end up,every time, still having to keep looking for the same love and connection but at the same time can’t help yourself from wanting as much as you can eat.
This was a brilliant reaction man. I’ve never seen anyone make the connections between his comedic metaphors and the more serious undertones as well as you did. You absolutely nailed exactly what he was wanting people to take away from this, but sadly I feel like its lost on so many. Great video, I’m definitely subscribing after this!
Man I been waiting on this one.
Bo really has a way of making you laugh while simultaneously almost making you feel bad for laughing.
I just want to give that guy a hug.
Thank you for doing Bo! love your breakdowns. Please do Words Words Words if you get a chance!
Throwback to his 3.14 apple pi days
Bo Burnham is truly a lyrical genius, he has time and time and time again proven himself to be one of the GREATEST comedians of all time, truly the GOAT of comedy
In my opinion, his greatest performance skill is the ability to build a foundation in his songs that you can go back to and appreciate more when you've heard the full song. I honestly feel like I know him from his performances. He's helped me to unwrap my own mental health issues with his art.
Dude, your analytical skills are on point in these Bo reactions. Love it, keep up the good work.
I've been a fan of Bo for 5 years and I've heard this song over 20 times now, but I never realized how metaphorical this song and title is. Thanks for that
ive watched so many reactions to this and hands down you have the best one, deep stuff there
When I make comments I rarely do it positively, this is an exception. I found value in your comments and your interruptions weren't annoying. Not that you should care.
I think you may be the very first person that really got this video. Like everything. I missed some of this myself. Thanks!
The "can" and "handle" word play, blew my mind. I've listened to this song SO many times and I have missed it every time. This is why you're the best!
His burrito story on this is an analogy regarding his career. He's saying he wishes someone would have warned him on what fame and hollywood would be like. He would have avoided so much more to protect himself and now everything he thought would make him happy is actually a mess now and it's no longer what he wants. That's why he gets so serious in the last part of the song talking about his true feelings as a performer and as a person.
This was such an on point reaction where nothing slipped by that at first I was suspicious this wasn't actually a real reaction. But, I mean, you definitely have the experience and the expertise to just immediately see all of it as a musician, so bravo.
SO EXCITED FOR THIS ONE
Not that I was expecting anything less, but what a perfect breakdown. You almost got everything he was saying.
This is one of the best song performances I've ever seen.
Now, please please please do All Eyes On Me.
Wow this was an extremely detailed analysis, you caught so many things I never considered, and I've watched this dozens of times. Amazing reaction! Thank you.
Woahhh dude the “CAN’t HANDle this” blew my freaking mind, watched this a million times n never picked up on that. Ur the goat bro, preciate you.
Thank you Knox! I thought for sure I was making up the “can handle this right now” “can-hand” thing up in my mind. Glad that you caught it!
It’s another irony in life that the funniest people usually have the most issues themselves. It’s a mask they wear. I hope Bo is getting the help he needs. We’ve lost too many greats already. Another fantastic breakdown, Knox. Thanks!
the fact that all of his examples are framed as jokes but are all in a way about "not fitting in" is very clever and him having panic attacks on stage brings a whole new light to this. definitely one of my favorite bo moments fs
Think you are my favorite Bo interpreter. 76 yr old here from his home state: Mass. I think he's most intelligent person I've ever come across. You are up there: showed me something I may have missed because of my Boomer status. Hope we all can get thru forthcoming election.
i have heard this song a million times and never tought about actual message behind before you so perfectly described it. thank you! such a great dechipher of a song you heard for the first time and shed light on a lot of good things
Great reaction Knox. One of my favorites of his. Glad you finally got to this one
One of my favorite songs in Bo's older shows, for sure. I was so looking forward to your reaction here. You caught so many layers! Another thing to note is that it's after this point that he began having his panic attacks while performing and had to leave the comedy circuit for years, which then led to the brilliance of the Inside project during the pandemic. He reveals so much of himself in his work.
Knowing after the fact what was going on with Bo and what would happen to him, I wonder what would have happened if everyone in the audience would have been able to come up on stage and just give him a collective hug. Show their appreciation and support for him. I just imagine that and wonder if the magnitude and emotion of that would have been enough to break the tight grip he was trying to hold emotionally and if he could have just let it go at that moment knowing that deep down, regardless of whether people liked what he did in the future, they appreciated what he had done and wanted the best for him and that he deserved it. I feel like his depression, and most, came from retreating inside himself too much and that an overwhelming show of emotion by others could really bring someone back into reality. It's just so much that there is nothing left to do but have all the walls crumble in the face of it all. I'm sorry it took him 5 years to get through it.
this is one of the best comments ever.. ❤❤❤❤👊👊👏👏👏👏👏👏
If I had been there I would have definitely jumped on stage to hug him
@@rainbowandre9580i think thousands of people climbing on stage to hug you probably doesnt help with anxiety
@@datefig8606 🥴you're right
I knew that he was done touring and with comedy for personal reasons in 2015 so I was glad to see this show, but it all made sense WHY he was quitting when he performed this. So when he announced his special Inside, I was so happy he finally felt he was in a place to give us pieces of himself again. I honestly cried watching him perform the last half of this because it made sense and I'd followed Bo since he was just on RUclips.
This used to make me cry every time, I had a crippling social anxiety and I made a deal with my mom that I couldn't break. I shouldn't have done the deal in the first place, it wasn't fit for me, and I couldn't disappoint my mother so kept doing it even though it breaks me every single time.
I need to speak in front of a crowd every week and that used to keep me awake and tearing up every night.
I have jamias vu every time even though I've done it a couple of times and haven't messed up but it still gave me anxiety.
But I'm fine now, Taylor Swift, Bo Burnham and BTS are my fav artists. I'm healing now.
There is actually one more song at the end of this special called “Are You Happy” that is worth listening to. It was actually shot in the inside room
This is my favorite performance ever and have seen it so many times (and reacted to many times) and never caught the comparison between the burrito expert and him creating a career that he couldn't in the end handle. Thank you Knox, you made this even more special to me.
Knox! Thank you so much for truly getting it! This performance hits so hard if you can truly understand his humor and his emotions. Because this performance is so great and so real, I watched several reaction videos today and I was really disappointed until I got to yours. I was shocked to see just how many people really don’t understand the depth of what’s happening here; even some psychotherapists on here. And not only that but you were able to on the spot, identify parallels and word play that I didn’t see even after several times of watching this. You have a brilliant mind just like Bo. One more thing, I’m an old millennial and I have never gotten super into social media and podcasts and subscribing for things. I’ve done it a little, but it’s just not part of my thought process, but I subscribed to you and I can’t wait to watch more of your reactions and hear your thoughts! Thanks!
OMG! My mind was blowed.
You are the first one that i seen who conected the Pringles can thing with the "can't handle" part.
Great reaction.
I am SO HAPPY that you've reacted to this one. This song breaks my heart every time I hear it and I needed to see your response to it!
Finally!! Been hoping for this. Not gonna go into details, plenty of other people did, all I will say is you did NOT disappoint. Thankyou! :)
Thank you again for your continued attention to detail and thoroughness. There really aren’t enough content creators who approach their work in this way.
So many thoughtful statements from Knox and commenters, it’s wonderful to see conversations about mental health. On a lighter note I choked on my coffee at the auto-tuned McFlurry request.
Congrats on being the only reactor I’ve seen to get the “two radiuses” joke. Knox Hill, you are geometry certified.
This is my favorite one of his songs, because the Pringles and the chipotle parts of the song are so connected to life. How society has created this shape that we’re all forced to fit into it but can’t. We try to reach in and reshape ourselves, and change what we look like to fit into what it wants but we can’t. And we try to shove ourselves full of so many things that we just explode. We can’t handle everything life asks us to do and society demands we do and so we self-destruct.
I've watched this vid (and reactions to this vid) hundreds of times and not once did I or anyone else that I know of catch the Bo-is-the-messy-burrito parallel . . . that's why I love watching your stuff Knox.
I first watched Bo's Netflix special like 3 years ago and this is the first time I've noticed all the genius word play and metaphores. You're cool Knox, you've got yourself a subscriber.
I've watched this so many times and this is definitely the most insightful reaction on RUclips
I've loved this song and reactions to it for years. But you're the first person I've ever seen bring up the wordplay of "Can't Handle this" as it relates back to the Pringles Can. So awesome dude!
It's short but "Are you happy?" is a little song at the end of the make happy special and it really helps sum up his mindset at the time of the tour.
I'm glad you were able to appreciate the production of the show as well
This is the best reaction to t his I have ever seen. You are a legend, sir. As someone who struggles with many of the same things as the amazing Bo, this song helps me and makes me feel heard.
great reaction, more bo is allways welcome! ^^
you can really react to any songs from his "make happy", "inside" and "inside outtakes" specials.
but personally i would say "inside - all eyes on me" is a good follow up to "make happy - kanye rant".
Great analysis. Picked up some doubles and metaphors I missed from watching Bo on my own 👍
yeah the can handle this bit especially went over my head
@@alvatrous i personally feel like that's a stretch, but art is subjective and transient. Even if Bo didn't intend that in his lyricism, Knox finding it is pretty cool.
Part of the meaning for that ending, when he said, "I hope you're happy", it is a return to the title of the show, Make Happy, that he flashes at the same time. If you pay attention throughout the show, the entire thing is about what it means to be happy and to make others happy, and what kind of effects it has on ourselves when you put others before your own happiness... Bo Burnham absolutely knocks it out of the park with this show... The same goes for his other two specials on Netflix.
I've heard this song maybe 50 times and never put together the "Can/Hand" from the pringles and the "Can't/Handle" of the rest of it. Cool observation.