# Kate Berlant Opens to Less Niche > Kate Berlant shares her journey to embracing vulnerability in her comedy after six weeks of social media detox. - Title: Kate Berlant Opens to Less Niche · Vanity Fair | Shortify - Summary: Kate Berlant shares her journey to embracing vulnerability in her comedy after six weeks of social media detox. Kate Berlant's new stand-up special Parmesan… - Keywords: kate berlant, hbo, parmesan, stand-up comedy, queerness, social media, muna, naomi mcpherson, podcast, comedy special, Kate, Berlant - Source: Vanity Fair — https://vanityfair.com/story/kate-berlant-parmesan-hbo - Author: Chris Murphy - Published: 2026-10-15T19:30:29.132+00:00 - Read time: 1 min - Topics: kate berlant, hbo, parmesan, stand-up comedy, queerness, social media, muna, naomi mcpherson, podcast, comedy special ## Social Media Detox Kate Berlant completed a six-week Instagram cleanse to reconnect with her spirit and source. > I just came off a six-week Instagram cleanse ## New Comedy Special Berlant's stand-up special Parmesan premieres on HBO on Friday, October 16. > Parmesan, which premieres on HBO on Friday, October 16 ## Personal Themes The special explores Berlant's queerness, relationships, and mental health after years of social media use. > it's funny because when i was putting together the special, i had this feeling of, 'you know what, i'm not going to talk about the phones' ## Relationship Details Berlant is in a relationship with MUNA guitarist Naomi McPherson, who uses they/them pronouns. > i'm a serial monogamist ## Comedy Style Berlant blends absurdist comedy with intellectual insights from her millennial perspective. > it's the balance of keeping something sacred ## Podcast and Projects Berlant's popular podcast Poog with Jacqueline Novak and solo work Cinnamon in the Wind and Kate have built her fanbase. > thanks to projects like this summer's cult hit Maddie's Secret ## Queerness Journey Berlant discusses her late 30s realization about her queerness after attending an all-girls school. > i went to an all-girls school. that just was not in front of my face ## Family Challenges Berlant mentions her father's Alzheimer's diagnosis as a recurring theme in her comedy. > my dad has alzheimer's ## Relationship Dynamics Berlant and McPherson collaborate on the special, with McPherson providing feedback on her material. > oh, you dropped this ## Title Origin Berlant chose the title Parmesan after a conversation with Chelsea Peretti, who laughed at the idea. > i was like, 'parmesan.' and she laughed, and i was like, 'okay, that's good enough for me' ## Future Plans Berlant remains open to having children but feels her career is still in its niche phase. > i'm still in it. i recorded it just a few months ago ## Comedy Philosophy Berlant believes stand-up comedy should entertain audiences while providing insight into the human condition. > i think if there is a crowd, you got to entertain them. you got to try ## Personal Vulnerability Berlant shares her journey to embracing vulnerability in her comedy after six weeks of social media detox. > i'm so aware of persona, i would be really fearful of something as private or sacred as a romantic relationship ## Mental Health Berlant discusses her mental health struggles and the importance of self-acceptance in her comedy. > i was like, 'oh, i don't know if i'm going to do that' ## Comedy Evolution Berlant's comedy has evolved from scripted shows to more personal, unscripted stand-up specials. > i was like, 'oh, what if i just did more stand-up comedy, capital s' ## Next Steps Berlant plans to collaborate with John on new projects while staying open to less niche work. > i'm looking forward to more collaborations with john ## Key takeaway Kate Berlant's new stand-up special Parmesan explores her queerness, relationships, and mental health while premiering on HBO.