Barbra Streisand's doccie a bit of a let down

Barbra Streisand. Picture: Supplied

Barbra Streisand. Picture: Supplied

Published Dec 19, 2017

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I wonder how many times Barbra Streisand has played Bodak Yellow. What? You don’t think Babs is a part of the Bardigang? Quick back-story: the comedian, Tiffany Haddish, ran into Streisand at a fancy, rich people party. 

While there, the funny woman began talking about Cardi B. Streisand was so fascinated by her tale that she promised to check the reality TV star turned rapper out. So obviously, by now, Streisand has Gangsta Bitch Vol 1 on repeat. Obvz.

None of that appears on her Netflix special though. Barbra: The Music… The Mem’ries… The Magic! has been sitting under the My List tab on Netflix since it was released on November 22. 

I was waiting for the right moment to go down memory lane. After all, the special sees Streisand close her tour in Miami and as the title suggests, she takes the audience through the songs that made her such a successful artist.

Hard-hitting local film that goes back to the future

From her Broadway work to ballads, Streisand treats fans to a behind-the-scenes look at what went into making the music. But, she only tells us. I was hoping to see it for myself. What I thought would be a documentary tracking Streisand’s career was actually just a concert.

The beginning is misleading. The special opens with Streisand on her private jet. She’s playing cards with people, being all regular. Then she gets off the PJ, goes to the venue to rehearse and inside one of the halls is an ice cream truck.  

And Babs really wants one but she says she’s watching her weight. Ha!

A beautiful moment from Barbra's @netflix special... what are your favorite songs from the show? #barbramemries

A post shared by Barbra Streisand(@barbrastreisand) on Nov 28, 2017 at 9:38am PST

Then she rehearses with her band and a bunch of old people talk about what a perfectionist she is. Then the concert starts and we never see another behind-the-scenes moment again. She just tells us. 

Like the ice cream thing, there are plenty of very funny moments in this special. She’s just witty like that. 

There are so many comical moments that she didn’t intend to be funny, too. 

Like when she puts on her own make-up. Yes, she does her own make-up. To stand in front of sold-out arenas! 

I didn’t even know she was done putting on the make-up until she put her eyeshadow down, looked at the camera and said “okay,” like she had just achieved a mammoth task.  

This was in the days when women were attacked for wanting control of their work. Thank God times have changed. Not completely though! #tbt #1976 #astarisborn

A post shared by Barbra Streisand(@barbrastreisand) on Dec 7, 2017 at 2:48pm PST

 And then she proceeded to walk out into the audience with that shadow and what looks to me like a little bit of botox. Basically, Streisand looks like Drake’s mom – and you’ve seen Drake’s mom’s swag.

Another funny but not meant to be moment was when she brought Jamie Foxx out for a duet. A whole Jamie Foxx. Blame it on the a-a-a-alcohol Jamie Foxx. With Barbra Streisand. They milled about for a moment, talking over each other about how much they love each other. Then their song starts with a dialogue. 

Anyway, if you’re a die-hard Streisand fan, you’ll love Barbra: The Music… The Mem’ries… The Magic! But if you really just wanted to know more about the woman behind the music, rather watch The Life and Career of Barbra Streisand on YouTube.

* Barbra: The Music… The Mem’ries…The Magic! Is on Netflix

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