Lady Dynamite

The new comedy series “Lady Dynamite,” now streaming, has much to recommend it: a loose, quasi-meta narrative structure that delivers unexpected delights; stellar cameos from giants of the “alt” comedy world (Sarah Silverman, Patton Oswalt, Judd Apatow); and recurring characters you look forward to seeing frequently, notably the foul-mouthed super-agent Karen Grisham (Ana Gastyer). Even lacking these treats, Lady D would be mandatory viewing, because it stars the singular Maria Bamford, a genuine genius of laughter. The show is highly autobiographical — Ed Begley and Mary Kay Place portray Maria’s Duluth-based parents — and, therefore, dark, awkward, and hilarious. The series is a magnificent showcase for Maria’s stunning menagerie of voices and personas, proudly weird and consistently wonderful.