Comedy Should Not Be A Reality Show
June 21, 2007 · Print This Article
Last Comic Standing is back on the air which means thousands of comedians around the country can be overheard bitching.
Brian invites Dylan Gadino from punchlinemagazine.com onto the show to discuss stand up as reality tv and hopefully shed some light onto the struggling comedy scene.
Brian also breaks down audience dynamics, a rant about local newspapers, and we give some respect to today’s audience selected comic of the week.
Email: brianmcomedy@gmail.com
I figured I wouldn’t watch LCS. But my wife wanted to, so we put it on while I played some online poker. Now I don’t watch American Idol. I have seen some episodes of past seasons. Usually the beginning of the season because of the bad singers. Then I realized why that works but the early shows of LCS doesn’t.
When Idol contestants are bad, it’s funny.
When LCS contestants are bad, it’s not funny. It’s painful to watch.
The return guests are “ok” but that’s why they’re invited back for the evening performance, and the reason the second half of the show is watchable (but only in the summer when there is nothing else on).
Great call on the early episodes of LCS. I never even thought of that but it’s so true. A horrible singer thinking they’re great is hysterical. Someone trying their hardest to be funny and failing is actually extremely depressing.
One thing about LCS was the guy in the monkey suit. It was surprising that despite that whole Hook He was still pretty funyy. to me anyway
I found a link that has transcribed most of Norm MacDonald’s Weekend Updates. It’s not quite as funny as when he reads them, but I still find it hard to get through without laughing. The man has no shame whatsoever.
http://www.fakenews.net/update/index.html
PS I think I read he came 20th in a NLHE tourney at the WSOP, maybe the 3K buyin (for former All In people.)
Just as a side note, I hope no one minds when “their” is spelled “there”, because this dude does it 5000 times or so. (fakenews.net link)
I meant to talk about “Mel Silverback” on the last episode. That is probably the hook of all hooks. There is every reason for me to hate that guy, but for some reason I can’t stop laughing when he’s on my television.
In my humble opinion, the problem with LCS is that they are trying to find an “unknown” and “make” them. Much like an American Idol, they are angling to make money of of the contestent on the back end, as well as the show itself.
Now, if you want a good show, you put up a million dollar prize and open it to all comedians, and I mean all comedians. Let the audience vote, and you will have a hell of a show. Should a lesser known rise to the occasion, more power to him, and in the end everyone wins. You get A material, the audience is entertained and you pull in Comedians like Louis C.K. and pit them agains the “Larry the Cable Guys” of the comedic world.
The biggest problem with LCS is it is a bunch of lesser known comedians who are just trying to get noticed, they aren’t worried about the money, because exposure equals money in the long run. They are introduced like, “our next comedian was seen on Last Comic Standing, give it up for…” this will draw a crowd, regardless if you live up to their expectations. Repeat crowds, depends on how solid your act is.
Anywho, I am off the the beach for 8 days of drinking beer and lounging around. Maybe I will be a little less pasty when I get back, LOL
Oh, quick joke for you guys, you may have heard it;
A proffessor was teaching a lesson on “involuntary muscle reflex”, and knowing this will be boring as hell to the students, he had an idea. Something to make them more interested in the subject.
He quickly pointed to a girl in the front row and exclaimed, “Quick, do you know what your asshole is doing when you have an orgasm?”
She looked puzzled and replied, “Hunting with his buddies.”
Ba da bum!
It would be great if the actual best comics in America battled it out, but it’s unrealistic. There’s no way Larry the Cable guy is going to turn down 30 grand for a weekend gig for the exposure of an NBC reality show. I just wished they picked a side. If they want to find unknown club comics and showcase them, great. But you can’t mix amateurs with seasoned comics who have had specials and sitcom deals and expect everyone to be on board.
thanks 4 spotlighting british comedians!!!!!!!
Have a good vacation Snappy. Try not to get your penis adhered to any vinyl bitch boots.
Thanks Darcy. I had almost forgotten the most disgusting story of all time.
What I find interesting is that there are no good family comedy acts out there these days. Sure, there are a couple, like the Wayans brothers, but they suck. I get the feeling we’ll never see a group like the Marx brothers again.
I never thought of that asterion, but you’re right. I guess people just aren’t into that kind of stuff anymore. But to be fair, the Wayans brothers only suck now. In Living Color was fantastic. Of course, that was 15 years ago…You’re right, they suck.
Oh my god!!! Last Comic Standing UK is starting over here on Friday!!
Nick, you have to do a weekly update on the show. I’m really curious how the show translates in the UK.
I had to vote British invasion, just because I can’t stand the thought of hearing Larry the Cable Guy and Bill Engvall. But I am curious to hear what makes up the British invasion of comedy.
I also have to agree about Mel Silverback. I was sure that I was going to despise him when he got on the stage, but I found myself laughing at most of his jokes. It’s got to be great to have a hook that you can ditch just by changing clothes once it gets old.
I voted for the Brits as well. Personally, I’m hoping for some Eddie Izzard.
haha if ur doing invasion over into america u have 2 look at Ricky Gervais!!!!hes 45 and just starting to branch out! i went to see him at the MEN (manchester evening news arena) and he was amazingly good. His tours goin to America this year i think and he even came up with the idea of the office!!! worth looking out for!! So if we suggest this month !! thats my suggestion
Great suggestion Johnny. I should be able to come up with 4 comics, but there may be some issues with the availability of their material, so it’s great to have some to fall back on.
Hmm, it looks like they’re just screening the US season 5 which apparantly does involve comics scouted from all over the world.
Can’t wait(!)
Eddie Izzard definitely gets my vote….I’ve seen him live twice; awesome comic who has sold out arenas in the UK
I’ll offer my vot for Izzard too. I’ve been watching his FX show and that got me interested in his act but the only thing I’ve found is very hard to understand in the beginning due to his mumbling coupled with the accent.
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD NO BLUE COLLAR BS! Living in the shitty town I live in I see Get ‘R Done everywhere to the point of nausea.
Mel Silverback is the Unknown Comic of the 21st century with one exception: He’s funny! Who’d of thought a guy in a bad suit and a gorilla mask could be funny? Hanna Barbara that’s who.
BMO, Have you seen the Kathy Griffin My Life on the D List show? What’s your opinion of the show? I watched one episode but her voice is like nails on a chalk board to my ears.
My buddy Jerad has a joke when do a show before dark: “Doing comedy in the daylight is like masturbating in a rocking chair: If you don’t get your rhythm down quick, nothing’s gonna come of it.” It’s such a nighttime entity.