The show is described as such: "An unconventional take on sketch comedy, the series mixes stand-up, animation, studio bits, music and drawings to explore one 'important thing' per episode (like Power, Safety or Chairs)." After an initial read I thought the "important thing" bit was interesting, but between the mix of stand-up and sketch comedy, I was initially dismissive. I just assumed Comedy Central had landed on "Caucasian" in their "Chapelle's Show Knockoff" game of ethnic spin-the-bottle. (You're up next, Asians - get ready.)
Luckily the show was pretty damn good. I'd rate it at a solid "Green Arrow": the character seems like he should be a novelty, until I'm surprised by some high-quality writing and stop asking myself what function he could possibly serve on the Justice League. (In the hopes of convincing the editors here at Crave Online to send me more reviewing gigs, I've come up with my own comics-based rating system. Watch your ass, Ebert!)
- By giving each episode a theme, even when it's not funny, the show will at least be cohesive. That's going to go a long way. Plus, it's reminiscent of Sesame Street, which will be a big help for those times that I'm watching while drunk.
- There was free Pabst Blue Ribbon at the event. (see above)
- I don't know if the bit will be in every episode, but several times in this episode, Mr. Martin would push remote control "buttons" drawn onto a piece of paper. This further reminds me of Sesame Street, and would be a huge help for those times when I'm drunk AND stoned.
- The stand-up interludes were consistently funny. I could appreciate those sober.
- (Slight spoiler) There was one skit joking about the number of rings a man has to give a woman when he asks her to marry her. My wife of four months attended the premiere with me, and this bit had her in tears. I want to say something nice here about how rare it is to find a comedy show that we both want to watch, but while that's true, the real plus was that the sight of all those rings made her want to have sex with me.
- Carlos Mencia was nowhere to be seen.
- As much as I liked the remote control bit, the show had a lot of text. Sometimes it made for funny jokes, but sometimes it just came off as… labels. I think it's a little too cute. Of course time will tell, but anyone with a two-year-old nephew can tell you that it's amazing how quickly cute can turn into obnoxious.
- Whether all of the jokes were written by Martin or not, the show's humor and his style made me miss the late great Mitch Hedberg. It's not just the far-out-yet-astute associations, but something in his deadpan delivery combined with the fact that all of his personifications have this very "dude" like way about them. Don't get me wrong; it's funny, and it would be insulting for me to call him "the poor man's Mitch Hedberg," because he's very good. Hell, I'm glad someone picked up the torch. All I'm saying is that there were several jokes where I found myself thinking, "I wish I could hear Mitch Hedberg tell that joke."
- If my wife starts thinking she deserves more rings, I'm going to be PISSED.
See for yourself*. The show premieres Wednesday, February 11th, at 10:30/9:30c on Comedy Central.
