I quite like John Mulaney but I do kind of agree, these are rather contrived insights. That being said, I also think that delivery is part of what makes a joke land and we're just reading a few select bits after the fact as opposed to watching Mulaney deliver them onstage. I remember being introduced to some Mitch Hedberg bits over IM some years back, followed the next day by them reciting those bits, and it didn't click at all until they popped in a VHS tape (yes it was that long ago) and I saw Hedberg anxiously weaving back and forth, heard him mumbling and elongating his phrases. I wouldn't say Mulaney's in the same league, but I don't think it's unfair to say this contributes.