Last Comic Standing – Jugglers, clowns and scary robot men need not apply

OK, I’m starting to get the hang of reviewing Last Comic Standing. The key is that, usually, if the producers do a back story on a contestant, most probably they will advance. I mean, they’re not going to spend all that time setting up and taking down equipment at your apartment for nothin’.

Also, the comics that have been chipping away at this business the longest do the best. A possible no-brainer. But let’s brain it anyway. You can spot them almost immediately. They have poise and confidence, and their material and delivery seem like they are not even trying at all. They make it look easy! When one of these folks comes on stage, that is when I sit up and listen.

Last week someone commented (and please keep the comments coming!) that I should focus more on the contestants. A good thought! However, in these audition rounds, when we only see the contestants for a few seconds, that’s tough for me. A main reason why I am so looking forward to next week’s move to Hollywood and the semi-finals.

However, having said that, some of these comics have videos posted on YouTube. From last night, some stand-outs for me were Mike Vecchione, Ryan Hamilton, and Nikki Glaser. Click on those links, and give these comics a listen, if you so choose. Especially Nikki Glaser. She made it to the semi-finals on LCS four years ago, so assuming she’s been working on her act, she should go far this time. I liked Kyle Grooms and Carmen Lynch as well. It’s really refreshing to see more funny women this time around.

And how am I faring with the judges, and host Craig Robinson, you ask? Well that’s very thoughtful of you. Let’s have a Breyer’s Fruit Bar and I’ll tell you.

If I were Andy Kindler, not only would I have been offended by all the Jewish jokes in the New York auditions (and he was), I would also now be deaf. Due to the horrifying sounds fellow judge Nastasha Leggero constantly emits, that she passes for laughter. I have never really stopped and thought about the phrase “put a sock in it.” Not since the third grade anyway. But it truly applies here! She’s beyond annoying! She’s … oh crap. I just grabbed my fruit bar too tight and broke the stick and got a splinter. Hold on….

OK, I’m back. That hurt. Anyway, I was wondering last night … did the producers at NBC read my review of host Craig Robinson? Because his “participation” was kept at a minimum. I mean, wouldn’t that be great. Just imagine….

*cue dreamy music and soft focus lens*

Location: NBC Big Wig office. Craig and a suit are seated.

Suit: “I’m sorry, Craig, but we’re going to have to downplay your role as host of Last Comic Standing.”

Craig: “But. But. But why?? What did I do?”

Suit: “Haven’t you heard? Tara Shrodes from CliqueClack doesn’t like you.”

*back to reality*

Now wouldn’t that be lovely? As it so happens, if you watch the editing pretty closely, I think Craig had a prior commitment this week. I’m sure he’ll have a much bigger role once the semi finals get in gear. Sigh.

But I’m ready to see much more than 30 seconds of these comics! Aren’t you?

Clacked by Tara Shrodes
on Jun 22, 2010 @ 08:19 EST5EDT