If you’ve been watching the highly praised new series Baby Reindeer on Netflix, you may have wondered about the authenticity of Richard Gadd’s viral breakdown video.
The newly released seven-part series is based on Gadd’s play, also titled “Donny Dunn.”The show follows the story of Donny Dunn (played by Gadd), a comedic bartender who must confront his previous trauma when he becomes the target of serial stalker Martha (portrayed by Jessica Gunning).
Perhaps the most unexpected aspect of Baby Reindeer is its basis in reality, as the writer and creator has used his own personal encounters with a stalker as inspiration — even the emails sent by Martha are genuine.
However, we must consider the viral breakdown video where Donny shares an emotional speech and unveils his most personal secret while performing stand-up. Caution: Spoilers to follow!
Is the video of Richard Gadd’s viral breakdown in Baby Reindeer authentic?
Despite viral rumors, the breakdown video featured in Baby Reindeer is not authentic. However, during a performance in June 2011, Richard Gadd delivered a captivating tangent on the challenges of stand-up comedy.
You have the option to view the complete set below:
Following his anecdote about a disastrous performance on stage, during which the audience did not even applaud when he exited, Gadd proceeds to deliver his speech at approximately the 4:45 minute mark.
“He reflects on that moment as a “disappointment like no other,”and acknowledges that comedians often set themselves up for failure. According to him, doing comedy is like being caught between a rock and a hard place, constantly balancing between confidence and vulnerability.”
According to Gadd, comedians are constantly seeking perfection, which is a subjective goal. However, he believes that this is an unattainable task, making it difficult for comedians to find true satisfaction in their work.
The viral video of Baby Reindeer features Donny revealing his experience of being sexually assaulted by a writer who manipulated and offered to advance his career. He also shares how this incident made him an easy target for his stalker and caused significant damage to his relationship with Teri (Nava Mau).
In real life, Gadd translated these experiences into his solo performance, Monkey See Monkey Do. The response he received was comparable to the one depicted in the Netflix series. In an interview with The Guardian, he recalled the technical rehearsal before the first show. “I remember bursting into laughter because everything was going so poorly. The producer asked me, ‘What do you want from this?’ With tears in my eyes, I replied, ‘I just want to make it out alive’,”he shared.
I had no idea that it would become my lifeline. The way in which people embraced the show, accepted me, and acknowledged my story was a lifesaver. It’s unbelievable that it happened in such a manner.
The 2011 set footage has gained a lot of positive feedback from viewers who watched Baby Reindeer and understood the importance of his message. One individual wrote, “After watching Baby Reindeer, I want to thank you for your authenticity and honesty. Your art will undoubtedly be a defining feature for countless reasons in our lifetime.”
One person expressed, “Baby Reindeer truly moved me. I am truly grateful for your sharing of Richard Gadd. This performance was a brilliant portrayal of the inner struggles of a troubled mind and the importance of facing our truths. I am left stunned and amazed by the powerful production you have created.”
How real is Baby Reindeer?
Despite some minor alterations to the sequence of events and the use of pseudonyms, the events depicted in the Netflix series are based on the true experiences of Richard Gadd, who has endured both sexual abuse and being stalked in real life.
“He explained to The Guardian that it was emotionally authentic as he had experienced severe stalking and abuse. However, they aimed for it to be viewed as a work of art and also safeguard the identities of those it was inspired by.”
During a span of four years, Gadd was the victim of a relentless stalker who bombarded him with an astonishing 41,071 emails, 350 hours of voicemail messages, 744 tweets, 106 pages of letters, and 46 Facebook messages.
Just like his other relationships, his connection with a trans woman also crumbled due to the traumatic events he was dealing with. The tension reached its peak while he was getting ready for Edinburgh, and he confessed to the publication, “My anxiety was so intense that I could almost carve a line through it, using a knife and fork. It was radiating from my body.”
Transforming these memories into artistic expression has been a healing journey for me. During an appearance on ITV’s This Morning, Gadd shared, “When you’re facing difficulties and feeling weighed down or constricted, simply releasing it, jotting it down, and turning it into something has been incredibly therapeutic. It has truly been a lifeline for me.”
Baby Reindeer is currently available on Netflix. For more TV shows to add to your watchlist this month, check out our selection here.
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