Last Comic Standing – Season 7 Premiere
Apparently, NBC went to comedians and comedy nerds and asked for ideas on how to make Last Comic Standing not just another shitheel-filled trainwreck of a reality series. Then, they apparently took all those suggestions AND USED THEM. Yeah, that’s right, they have judges that comics respect, know, and give a fuck about.
Judges such as Andy Kindler, who looms large as a comedy advocate/gadfly, a comic’s comic. Kindler’s a masterful standup with an act that turns backflips around conventional joke structure.
Natasha Leggero, a fixture in the Los Angeles alternative comedy scene for years, now coming into her own.
Rounding the panel out is Greg Giraldo, veteran standup and Comedy Central Roast regular.
This is a panel I can get behind. The judges this season are offering good, solid, real world comedy advice, aside from the occasional silliness. Kindler’s absurd costuming and joke notes were highlighted in a notable montage. When Leggero seemed to be channeling Paula Abdul’s touchy-feely American Idol “You’re a strong person” shtick, Giraldo called her on it IMMEDIATELY.
Craig Robinson hangs around and mostly acts like Craig Robinson, which is fine. Robinson’s in queue interaction with Paul Goebel Show co-host Jim Bruce (discussing Charlie Chaplin - “He’s dead!”), and his exit interview with semi-finalist Tiffany Haddish, were quite funny. The cold open with Robinson at a piano openly mocked some of the weaknesses of LCS’ previous seasons, touting that this season will be “Different, so different.”
The only problem I have with the show is the illusion that the people waiting in line outside the Improv are actually somehow auditioning. I’m pretty sure the fix is in and the unwashed masses are only admitted when they’ll do something truly crazy or stupid. I haven’t confirmed it with my friends on the show, but given the lineups for the “Auditions” and “Showcases,” both could have passed for lineups at Comedy Death Ray at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater. Seriously. Between Cathy Ladman and Laurie Kilmartin ALONE there’s like 50 years of standup experience.
Add folks like…
Maybe I’m jaded because I have seen most of these comics in person, and in some cases performed with them. I guarantee none of them waited for two days in the rain for their audition.
That obvious conceit aside, the show has a LOT of talent on it. I’m looking forward to seeing how it develops. The rumor is that the show is going to go in a less ridiculous direction, but time will tell.
- Gene George
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