Kate Berlant on Her HBO Special ‘Parmesan,’ the Joke That Made a Man Flip Her Off and Her Next Project With John Early

Kate Berlant’s HBO special “Parmesan”, released on 16 October, uses physical comedy and absurd observations to explore phone addiction, online habits and the loneliness of digital life. She says the special also acknowledges the fear and uncertainty of the present, while celebrating the value of live performance and human connection.

Berlant describes scrolling through disturbing videos to unwind and jokes about online conventions such as commenting “PARMESAN” for a recipe link. She says a six-week break from social media helped, but returning to promote the special exposed her to anxieties about AI, prompting her to delete the apps again. She also reflects on how social media damages focus and relationships, and says she hopes technology’s isolating effects will push people towards community.