Enter Laughing
I have never been the biggest fan of reality television. I made my living as an actor for 14 years and the idea that producers are making a lot of money without having to spend any on professional actors or writers, doesn’t sit well with me. And I think most of them are contrived situations that have very little to do with the “reality” of everyday life.
Nevertheless, they are apparently here to stay in some form or other. But I watch selectively.
I thought MTV’s Real World was an interesting concept when it debuted 14 years ago, but I lost interest after the season in Boston. The house mates all seemed to be playing to the cameras by then.
Like everyone else,I got hooked on last season’s runaway hit The Apprentice and will probably watch when season two premieres in September. I caught a few episodes of American Idol this season and last, but never in consecutive weeks. However most of the other programs leave me cold.
Except one.
Last Comic Standing ironically, but not coincidentally, combines the best qualities of all the aforementioned shows but also adds comedy as its main focus.
Hosted and executive produced by actor/comedian Jay Mohr ("Jerry Maguire"). the show is a nationwide talent search for professional and nonprofessional comedians. Once the selection process is narrowed to 10, they follow the comedians as they live together in a house and compete for the ultimate prize--an exclusive talent contract with NBC.
The comics have challenges to face and each week one of them gets eliminated following a head-to-head face-off in front of a voting audience.
Last summer comedic newcomer Dat Phan was the "Last Comic Standing," beating out nine other seasoned veterans, who in typical reality show fashion, formed alliances to conspire against him. It backfired on them. While I don’t think he was that funny, unlike them, he played to win. Since then, Phan has become the headlining act at comedy clubs nationwide and recently made his acting debut.
Weeks one and two this season narrowed the field, and in week three the 10 chosen comics moved into a mansion in Hollywood. Among the cast of characters are two brothas, Corey Holcomb and Alonzo Bodden (Real World never dared put two Black men in one house); an openly gay man, Ant; the obligatory “weird guy” Jay London; and now five other male and female comics of varying abilities. One woman, Bonnie McFarlane quickly displayed a cocky attitude but not a lot of humor, and was eliminated when she was forced to face off against another comedian John Heffron.
While comedians make their living getting other people to laugh, this show illustrates how a deep need for attention and validation is a powerful motivator. The pressure of living under one roof and facing elimination creates highs as tense as any Survivor competition and lows as devastating as a Simon Cowell critique. It’s not just about on-stage ability, but a test of their show business mettle. And it’s a lot of fun to watch.
Posted by bernie at June 24, 2004 1:00 AMTrackBack