The Wild Card Show (now a staple diet of competition based Reality-TV talent fests) is supposedly the opportunity for one to return, and show the viewing world, why, you should be given a second chance to remain in that particular competition. However, that second chance is dependent on your ability to outshine other players and prove that you are worthy. In the case of this week’s “Last Comic Standing” (NBC), it appeared our wild card contestants were oblivious to the importance of aggressively stepping up to that challenge, ensuring a place in the final-six. Either that or I am expecting way too much laughter for a comedy show.
In a filled Alex Theater, somewhere in Hollywood, Jay Mohr tells us that of the five who recently departed (voted-off sounds less desirable in this case, don’t you think?), only one will get a second chance to come back and join the other five finalists fighting for the title of Last Comic Standing. Mr. Mohr explained the process. Each comic would perform. Viewers would vote via phone, text message, and internet. He jokes that, 'If you're watching in Florida, make sure you listen to the instructions and vote correctly.' By the end of the evening I wondered if that would make much difference anyway. The five comics who had already secured a place in next week’s show sat in the audience; ready and willing to see who they might additionally be up against. I am sure they were happy to see that based on tonight’s performances they could rest easy.
Corey Holcomb performs first; after we see him expressing his anguish at being booted-off (err, asked to depart) last week, he tells us he has new material and is motivated. Sorry Corey, I just didn’t see it! He had a few jokes worthy of a giggle; the sharing of a girlfriend with a sensitive guy for example. But over-all it was not his best night. Corey was one of my early favorites. He was very funny early on in the series – but now he seems to have run out of decent material. Corey does appear a naturally funny person. He has a stage presence. He has the look. He has that essential comic delivery – body language and timing are mostly spot on.
Unfortunately, his material is, to be blunt, increasingly unfunny and more than occasionally offensive to some; those some being mainly of the feminine gender. Last week he attacked women and their hairstyles. This week he again ridiculed women, and in one example referenced the ability of his girlfriend to not only enjoy sports, but she could kiss her own breast. Was that funny? The disapproving look on the faces of some audience members answered that question. Now, if he had said something like – she’s into sports and can nibble her own ears – then perhaps that might have worked better. The visual of someone pulling an ear around their face to reach their teeth, is funnier than the ability to kiss their own breast – less offensive, and more abnormal, hence funnier (not to say my example would bring the house down in laughter, but I think you can see where I’m going). I hope Corey finds a good writer to help with his future career; he could be a great comic. Sadly, his material has let him down during the last few weeks and it especially did tonight.
Bonnie McFarlane was next. With a new haircut and looking good, she displayed an obvious lack of confidence while onstage – and her timing was noticeably off on occasion too. Some intelligent observations; but too amateurish at this point in the game. I think she would do well in local clubs; in front of an audience who are there to add a little neophyte-induced laughter to their night of food and drink consumption. Will she advance? I don’t think so. Not this time around.
Jay London is funny – funny for a short while; perhaps good for a sixty-second spot. I like his one-liners, a lot, but very quickly I become desperate for something with a bit more substance and flavor. Most great comics know how to tell a story, as well as using those wacky one-liners. Jay’s whole set is monotone; funny but eventually irritating one-line gags. I can see Jay as a warm-up comic, or as a novelty act somewhere.
Ant is an enigma. This is a somewhat funny guy. He is multitalented and does not rely on stand-up comedy alone for his bread-and-butter. With voice-overs and guest-spots all over the place he has been busy in the media. As far as his comedy on Last Comic Standing, he is what I call a thespian comic. His humor and his jokes are funny, usually. However, all the time it seems too contrived. I don’t feel like I’m getting to know him as a person. Even in the “house”, the whole alliance thing gave the impression it was scripted; even though I presume it wasn’t – everything just looks like an act with Ant. His “big” joke of the evening (referring to how gay’s invented sports because Boxers wear silk shorts and fight over a purse and a belt) was, even though intelligent and well thought out, false. He delivered the joke as if he was reading from a teleprompter. He does not come across as personable enough for me. I will place him as maybe the second or third funniest comic tonight.
Todd Glass was the final comic to perform on this night of mediocre laughter. Todd's first line was, '… call in your votes now, that's all I need to do, thanks a lot folks, good night!' The audience knew exactly what he meant. Todd struggled with some of his material too – although the clever jokes were more funny than not. Todd’s stage persona is spasmodic which on its own can be funny. He also has a narcotic energy (similar to that of John Heffron) when telling us a story; as shown in his animated presentation of the police officer joke (guy in car, stopped by officer, guy makes funny faces and menacing sounds along with “I’m the cookie monster” chant, police officer is forced to reluctantly repeat to judge). Todd appeared confident that he was the funniest comic on this particular evening. I think he may be right.
So now it’s down to the American public. Personally, on tonight alone, my vote is for Todd Glass. I would have liked to see Corey Holcomb advance, but I don’t think his material has managed to keep us as interested as we had hoped – especially if I were a woman. Jay London makes me laugh, but he needs to add some variety. We’ll see if America has agreed with me on Thursday night’s results show.
The Results Show:
Returning to the Alex Theater, we find that NBC have taken a page out of the Fox Network book of sponsor friendly prime-time result show mandates – stretching a ten-minute voting outcome into one-hour. Not forgetting the nail-biting teasers (note the satire) of who will win the chance to lose again next week in the final-six show. The tension was at best, banal. At least we got to hear the wild card comics perform another “set”, although it seemed to me I had heard many of the jokes before. There was some new material in bits and drabs but nothing to send the audience rolling down the aisles in laughter. Perhaps it was just me, perhaps I was just feeling worn out by all the tension!
The rest of the fifty-minutes were filled with those lovely commercials (I was waiting for Jay Mohr to perform a Ryan Seacrest impersonation as each break approached, but thankfully he avoided the temptation) and “feedback” from the final-five who had nothing but words of support and praise for their fellow comics – as if they would say anything else at this point!
Finally, we get to hear the results. The five finalists already through to next week joined the five wild cards onstage. Jay Mohr commenced the countdown. First to be told they did not win the hearts (and laughter) of America was Bonnie McFarlane. Ok, I thought, I agree with that. Bonnie is still in denial, and firmly believes that she was the funniest person in the house. Next to go was a surprise, as I expected Corey Holcomb to be in second place. But he was next in line to receive the bad news. Corey looked pensive the whole evening which now turned to disappointment. Next on the chopping block was Ant. He reminded us that this time next year the winner will be forgotten, but he will be remembered. History shows that being remembered is not always a good thing Ant! Again, the Fox influence is obvious as we get an on-screen reminders of the contestant’s journey during the competition, from early auditions up to their stay in the castle. Only on this show, we do not have to witness tears and group hugs.
Finally down to Jay London and Todd Glass. After another commercial break, we find out that Jay London is the comic who received the most votes! I’m surprised. Todd Glass was the most polished and original comic on Tuesday night. I’m convinced Jay received many sympathy votes – as well as the fact, many voters had obviously not already gone through the, “Thank you,” and “O for 1” lines fifty-times before as many of us have. All the same, Jay is a nice guy, and he is funny. But as I said on my Tuesday night section above, after a while those one-liners start to get boring. Remembering that old joke; Jay is like Chinese food, you enjoy it, but are always left still feeling hungry.
So next week we are down to the final six comics. After next Tuesday, we will be down to three. Those three will compete for the final prize. At this point, it’s anybody’s game. Of those left, I like John Heffron. He has improved greatly over the last few weeks, his delivery is infectious and his material is unique but true to real-life. Unfortunately for John, he is up against some tough competition – any one of the six remaining comics could soon add to their resume, “Last Comic Standing!”
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