Randy Feltface is a highly unconventional comedian for a variety of reasons. Two of his specials focus on books he’s written — one a novel, the other a new religious text diving into human evolution. Oh, and he’s a self-aware puppet.
Performing his new special “The Book of Randicus,” Randy shares his enlightenment on the human condition and our purpose on Earth. He also uses George Michael to explain the various different religious afterlives.
“Around 7 percent of you believe that George Michael is currently making a comeback, possibly as a platypus,” Randy says. “Depends on his deeds, really.”
Of course, those statistics are based on the 2016 Australian census, which not everyone in the audience filled out. One guest in particular said he forgot to fill it out, but that he would’ve marked “Jedi” if he’d gotten to it.
“Just imagining you going like this and the bong floating across the room into your hand,” Randy says.
Personally, he believes George Michael was abducted by aliens in 2016, along with other famous musicians like David Bowie, Prince and Leonard Cohen.
This all ties into the new religion Randy created. After a food poisoning incident led to an embarrassing near-death experience, Randy started Berylism, a religion based on the belief that humans were elevated to the top of the food chain through the intervention of an intergalactic messiah named Beryl.
“Because …. why not?” Randy says in the special.
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Randy goes on to explain the religious teachings are based on scientific fact, such as the dramatic evolution of homo sapiens 70,000 years ago. That’s where Beryl comes in. According to Randy, Beryl chose humans to evolve, giving us 70,000 years to become enlightened.
It’s a difficult concept to grasp, but Randy is confident this religion will pick up speed, especially after the success of his missionary tour across Australia. However, he pointed out one specific aspect of traveling that he absolutely hates.
“I am … sick of rating my experience,” Randy says. “If you don’t hear from me, just assume everything was fine, our transaction is complete, … back yourself.”
The special cuts between Randy’s tour across Australia and his actual routine, giving a unique perspective into his journey and the people he met along the way. He even takes time to take a few selfies with a fan.
An attempted reading from “The Book of Randicus” goes off on a tangent thanks to a specific verse number, with Randy going off about the impracticality of the 69 position, for those of you that understand.
“It’s like doing your tax on a carnival ride,” Randy says. “You don’t know whether to focus, or just kick back and enjoy the view.”
That’s when things start to get existential. After spending six weeks in a hospital bed because of the food poisoning incident, Randy started contemplating his minuscule life compared to the enormity of the universe. He got really into Buddhism, spending a few weeks in a temple in the Japanese mountains of Kōyasan.
He has another existential crisis in the middle of the show and the audience has to reassure him. One person even shouted out that they loved him.
“That’s the spirit,” Randy says. “That’s where we need to start, a bit of that.”
Near the end of his show, Randy credits his amateur magician-uncle for his career in comedy, telling some stories about the dangerous stunts his uncle attempted — usually with not-so-pleasant results.
The main concept of Berylism, according to Randy, is the collective belief that human beings are capable of actual greatness. He believes humans are predisposed to collective belief and that faith is manufactured, so why not create a religion dedicated to bettering the world?
Filled with insane anecdotes, expressive arm-flailing and somewhat mature language, “The Book of Randicus” is both hilarious and reflective, providing audiences with a good laugh while pushing humanity to do better.
