A lot of us over here at the Squad are fans of VH1's Best Week Ever. We're either fans of the comedians who are asked to be pop-culture wise-asses, or we just like the format in general. Heck, we even like the website, mainly because it has the same attitude as the show.However, the network has decided that the multiple talking-head format needs a change, so they've named Paul F. Tompkins as the show's sole host. Tompkins (aka "That comedian in the suits"), of course, was one of the best of those talking heads, and his surreal takes on pop culture's funnier bits were always among each episode's highlights. So it's not like the producers are going "outside the family" in order to find a host.
It did seem like the talking-head format had become more and more scripted over the last couple of years, so having one guy instead of a dozen people read from a teleprompter will probably give the show a better flow.
But this does look a lot like VH1 is trying to make their own version of The Soup, doesn't it?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-15-2008 @ 1:26PM
Adam said...
This sucks. They should have let go of chuck nice and kept everyone else
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10-15-2008 @ 1:31PM
Rebecca said...
I'm going to stop watching. I like Tompkins but I liked many others in the cast too. I sought the show out, even when it was off for weeks at a time. I'm not going to bother for just Tompkins. Why couldn't they just give him regular specials?
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10-15-2008 @ 1:34PM
rick cokely said...
This is sad. I like the show and I have been missing it for a couple weeks because it hasn't been getting recorded for some reason (maybe not on the air?) But I absolutely MUST HAVE my Sizzler. It's the best part of the show.
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10-15-2008 @ 2:28PM
Cincinnati Mike said...
Odd development. Joel McHale vs. 100 talking heads was the main difference between Soup and BWE. They sure as hell spoof the same news, shows, internet junk, etc.
Of course, Soup is already diluting their own formula with The Dish and Sports Soup.
I do like Paul, but ITA with the Chuck Nice comments.
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10-15-2008 @ 4:16PM
Pudge said...
You're kidding me right? Paul is the guy that just pulls shit out of thin air. That's fine in small doses, but not the whole show.
Oh well, I'm in college without my TiVo now and BWE has been one of the shows that isn't worth the effort to keep up on. The Soup is just so good, it's all I really need.
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10-15-2008 @ 5:53PM
RobynM said...
Colour me unimpressed. Unless he tones it down considerably for a solo gig, Paul's shtick is a little too hammy for me. Besides, my favourite personality on BWE was Christian Finnegan.
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10-15-2008 @ 6:48PM
tony said...
As someone who lives in LA and sees PFT perform standup on an almost weekly basis, I can definitely say he is the most intelligent and witty comedian working today. We will sorely miss him out here on the west coast while he is away in NY, but its great news for him.
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10-16-2008 @ 8:10AM
Martin said...
Everyone else on the show is probably busy making appearances in Worst Week on CBS... interesting how they appear on best week and worst week.
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10-16-2008 @ 4:21PM
r.r.r. said...
PFT is hysterical and i am excited for the changes. it's going head on with joel mchale and the soup. i'll record both shows regardless because both of them are funny. :)
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10-16-2008 @ 11:37PM
Austin said...
That sucks. Big time. I love Paul, but the talking heads were what made that show interesting, different, and entertaining. I will, sadly, no longer be watching...
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10-20-2008 @ 12:20PM
Samantha said...
That SUCKS. So let me get this right -- become EXACTLY like The Soup, lose the talents of a pool of great comedians, hitch your wagon to the star of a one-note delivery comedian? And the ad wizard that came up with that was...? I am no longer a viewer, Best Week - but thanks anyway!
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11-17-2008 @ 8:00PM
Gail said...
I've finally had to stop watching. Just too painful. TV is supposed to entertain, not bore this much. I felt like there were crickets in the room even though I was watching it alone. Highly uncomfortable and just a horrible version of what The Soup does best. I'll be surprised if this show survives this way, but seriously, anything can probably survive on VH1. It's shows are like cockroaches....meanwhile they continue to cancel absolutely funny shows all the time...so sad.
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