TVSquad

Do you like comedy? Sure, we all do. If you especially like your comedy in written and audio form, these two news items should have you clapping your hands and doing the happy dance:

First, that Comedy Death Ray CD I mentioned earlier will be out on September 12. The 150-minute CD, comprised of sets recorded during the all-night fourth anniversary Comedy Death Ray show at the UCB theater and sets from the SF Sketchfest, will feature such comedians as Patton Oswalt (King of Queens, Comedians of Comedy), Maria Bamford (Comedians of Comedy), David Cross (Mr. Show, Arrested Development), Paul F. Tompkins (Mr. Show, Best Week Ever), Doug Benson (Best Week Ever, Last Comic Standing), Brian Posehn (Mr. Show, Comedians of Comedy, Just Shoot Me, The Sarah Silverman Program), Neil Hamburger (Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job), and many more.

The most frustrating thing about watching Last Comic Standing has got to be the misrepresentation of stand up comedy as a form of entertainment and a way to make a living. However a close second is the way the producers edit the show to leave out certain things.

In a recent episode of the show, comedian Doug Benson auditioned in Minnesota and the audience learned that he had previously auditioned in Los Angeles but wasn't asked back. According to the episode that aired, the reason that Doug didn't make the cut was because Ant thought Doug wasn't exciting enough onstage, but that is only half the story.

(S05E03) My reviews of Last Comic Standing are going to be a bit different from Jay's so be forewarned. First of all, the entire premise of LCS is flawed both as a television production and as a talent contest. The main problem is that the show (like all reality shows) is so heavily edited that you only see what the producers want you to see. Now, that's fine for Big Brother or Survivor, but for a show that is supposed to be looking for talent it defeats the purpose. It would make more sense if the show were more like American Idol with performances from all the comics in every show, but to ask any comedian to come up with a new ten minutes every week is unfair, therefore it is what it is.

1. Where were you born?
San Diego. This is funny already!

2. How many siblings do you have?
One! Ha, ha, ha.

3. What did you study in college?
I bailed after 2 and a half years of "community" college. (Not so funny anymore.)

4. Do you have any pets?
None that I know about.

5. Do you have any nicknames?
No. And I read that last question wrong. I thought it said "Do you have any kids?"

6. What is your favorite restaurant?
House of Nan King in San Francisco.

7. What is your favorite TV show?
Heroes. Wait, 30 Rock. I mean, The Office. No, Friday Night Lights. Weeds! I'll go with Weeds.

8. Who is your favorite band/musician?
I like Top 40 bullshit. Honestly.

9. If you could live anyplace in the world where would it be?
I'm very fond of Australia. (Australia, on the other hand, has no feelings about me.)

10. Who do you think should be the next President of the USA?
That clean guy.