Hilarity Abounds

May 30, 2012 8:25 AM

Comedy Bang! Bang! (posted about previously as Comedy Deathray the Podcast) has come to IFC as a TV show (watch full episode with Amy Poehler here). You'll never look at Jon Hamm the same way again.

Jon Hamm previously on Between Two Ferns, also produced by CBB host Hot Saucerman.
Co-hosted by Mefi favorite Reggie Watts.

posted by Potomac Avenue (51 comments total)

I will always love Comedy Bang! Bang! for teaching me to play What Am I Thinking?
posted by shakespeherian at 8:32 AM on May 30, 2012

1, 2, 3...
posted by Potomac Avenue at 8:36 AM on May 30, 2012

UNICORN
posted by Potomac Avenue at 8:37 AM on May 30, 2012

I win.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 8:38 AM on May 30, 2012 [2 favorites]

I happened to be looking for a comedy podcast right when Comedy Death-Ray Radio got started. I think the first show I listened to was the fourth or fifth episode (they're on week 160 by now). I listened to some of those early shows religiously and multiple times. I can actually pinpoint the moment I fell in permanent love with the show: on Episode 9, when Paul F. Tompkins calls in as the ghost of Michael Jackson, and as he's about to say goodbye, he gives one last utterance of his signature sound, "a-hee." (~14:25 in that episode)

The show has really grown and evolved, and it should be interesting to see what kinds of decisions they've made in creating the TV show. From what I've seen so far, they're taking a much more scripted approach (even recycling bits that began as more or less structured improv on the podcast), which makes sense, given the exigencies of doing a TV show (you can't really make a TV show where nobody knows what's going to happen, can you?).

I can't help feeling like some of the crazy, unhinged energy of the early episodes of the podcast will be replaced by something different on TV. But on the other hand I'm very interested to see what they decide to do with the show.
posted by sleevener at 8:43 AM on May 30, 2012 [1 favorite]

NEEDZ MOAR HOT DOG
posted by robocop is bleeding at 8:43 AM on May 30, 2012 [1 favorite]

I listen to the podcast first thing every Monday, but really find every bit of the show I've seen extremely tedious. I don't think the brilliant improv they're doing on the podcast is translating well at all, and maybe just can't; everything is painfully scripted now that they have to actually be able to show it visually.
posted by gerryblog at 8:45 AM on May 30, 2012 [1 favorite]

I think they'll get the hang of it -- host and guests alike are all seasoned showbiz pros, and (for my money) many of the funniest people on the planet. If you listen to the earliest episodes of the podcast, like episodes 1-5, Aukerman didn't know what he was doing there either.

It's probably also the case that the low-stakes environment of the podcast is what allowed Aukerman and his guests to laugh at each other's jokes and their own, to take chances, to make fun of themselves, to say hilariously filthy things with no premeditation, etc. And that's probably all out the window with the (much more high-stakes and time-and-resource-intensive) TV show, at least until they get their footing.
posted by sleevener at 9:03 AM on May 30, 2012

The podcast is great (the Jelloems of Bill Cosby Bukowski almost made me throw up I was laughing so hard) and the full episode of the show online looks amazing. I'm very, very excited for this show.
posted by saladin at 9:07 AM on May 30, 2012 [7 favorites]

The only problem with the sentence "You'll never look at Jon Hamm the same way again." is that assumes that one hasn't already realized that his personality (at least as we see it in bits like this/30 Rock and SNL performances/podcasts/giving advice to young women online) is somehow even more attractive than his handsome good looks. That is increasingly not a safe assumption.

What I mean is, swoon (but I've already swooned before)
posted by MCMikeNamara at 9:09 AM on May 30, 2012 [1 favorite]

Oh man, I listed to the Jelloems again, and "I got a Ph.D from Hofstra, I'm raining down shit on your face, now come tongue-kiss my son!" made me tear up.
posted by saladin at 9:13 AM on May 30, 2012 [1 favorite]

Sorry for the serial posting, but for another taste of the brilliance of Comedy Bang Bang! for the uninitiated, you can't go wrong with a list from Bob Ducca.
posted by saladin at 9:18 AM on May 30, 2012 [3 favorites]

Well, I already lose my husband to Comedy Bang Bang on the weekends so I guess I can expect more lost wife/husband hours due to this.

(Seriously, Shepherd hearts Comedy Bang Bang and MATES so hard I think he goes out and does yard work just to listen to them without me going, "I sort of get it. But I don't get it get it.")
posted by Kitteh at 9:24 AM on May 30, 2012

I've been listening to Comedy Bang! Death Bang! Ray for long time now. But I've never heard any of this. I just skip straight to the What's Up Hotdog Memorial Plugs.
posted by Ducks or monkeys at 9:25 AM on May 30, 2012 [2 favorites]

I've posted this in Apple threads before, but this is a ten-minute satiric story called iBrain. It is one of the single best stories I have ever heard in my life. Heads up: It has a couple of mildly NSFW parts.
posted by Greg Nog at 9:26 AM on May 30, 2012 [13 favorites]

Greg Nog, that actually is a really important story about what's going on in our world right now.
posted by sleevener at 9:29 AM on May 30, 2012 [5 favorites]

Greg Nog's account has been banned. He won't be allowed back into this thread, ever.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 9:30 AM on May 30, 2012 [6 favorites]

I wacthed the show available online and was a little disappointed because of the scripted nature of it. However, the "Battletoads" line from Poehler made me laugh pretty hard (not even sure why). I am happy to give this show a chance. The podcast has earned a lot of goodwill from me, since it is one of my favorites.
posted by Falconetti at 9:38 AM on May 30, 2012 [1 favorite]

I stopped watching as soon as Scott introduced himself as "Scott Aukerman." That's some horseshit right there.
posted by mullacc at 9:50 AM on May 30, 2012 [1 favorite]

I thought the film trailer was excellent.
posted by mer2113 at 10:06 AM on May 30, 2012

I'm optimistic, but the interview segments seemed to lean a bit too far towards the awkwardness of Between Two Ferns as opposed to the relative warmth of the podcast. As long as there's something for daddy though, I'll be happy to watch.
posted by Lorin at 10:12 AM on May 30, 2012 [2 favorites]

It's fascinating watching a stream of inside jokes about a program you know nothing about. I feel like you people have discovered a secret trampoline and I'm the only one who doesn't know about it.
posted by heathkit at 10:21 AM on May 30, 2012 [3 favorites]

Why does this show remind me of the original HBO Pee-Wee Herman Show special? Why?

(And not in a good way, either.)
posted by gillyflower at 10:48 AM on May 30, 2012

did anyone else see the candy-colored art on the wall and get all hopeful that people on staff were gonna mash up reggie with my little ponies again [slyt nsfw]

just me?

mm.
posted by gusandrews at 10:54 AM on May 30, 2012

I feel like you people have discovered a secret trampoline and I'm the only one who doesn't know about it.

Here's a quick list of some essential Comedy Bang! Bang! podcast listening:

<sub>Andy Daly, maybe the greatest character guest of CBB, appearing as:
Hot Dog - a Sha Na Na groupie,
Don Demillo - Theatrical Director (and all around creep,)
Andi Callahan - Registered Nurse and most recently,
Dalton Wilcox - Cowboy Poet.

Paul F. Tompkins, another frequent and brilliant guest, appearing as:
Werner Herzog, Ice T, director Garry Marshall, Cake Boss, and Werner Herzog again.

Jessica St. Clair as Marissa Wompler, a precocious 15 year old intern at the Earwolf studios.
Later apperances: w/ Andy Richter, w/ Todd Glass, w/ BFF co-star Lennon Parham

Reggie Watts and Ben Schwartz (Reggie Watts + Bjork collaborate on "The Ladder Song")
Tim & Eric with James Adomian (Dr. Bronner and his Moral ABCs vs the Spring Dingers)
Harris Wittels, Adam Scott, Chelsea Peretti (“Seriously, the bit saturation in this room is crazy.”)
Rob Cordy, Erinn Hayes (with James Adomanian as Dov Charney)
2009 Holiday Special (featuring the hilarious "acting-off" between John Hamm and John C. Reilly.)
2011 Holiday Special (Rap battles and characters galore!)
Two Year Anniversary (Musical numbers and characters galore!)
Three Year Anniversary (St Vincent, Marissa Wompler, Zach Galifianakis, Cake Boss and more!)</sub>

Sorry!
posted by Lorin at 11:11 AM on May 30, 2012 [18 favorites]

Lorin, that is great, but you are missing the best thing of all time: Bob Ducca's list of diseases.

Also, the second most recent episode with Allison Bree of community was great. The most recent was dull.
posted by blahblahblah at 11:19 AM on May 30, 2012 [1 favorite]

Yeah, Allison Brie and Gillian Jacobs were both excellent guests. I am probably biased towards more recent episodes because I started listening later in their run and then worked my way back.
posted by Lorin at 11:25 AM on May 30, 2012

cakeboss
posted by mintcake! at 11:30 AM on May 30, 2012 [3 favorites]

If somebody is looking for a recent example of the heights CBB can reach, this episode is the one that for me best represents what the format and guests are capable of, and doesn't require any foreknowledge of CBB or its return "guests" or the formats and ins and outs of its many games.

The only thing you need to know is that Paul F. Tompkins is Andrew Lloyd Webber, Scott Aukerman is the host, and sometimes guests wander into the studio (including scrappy l'il orphans!) and then you can just let the show roll from there.

The other great, great CBB of 2012 thus far is the Dalton Wilcox episode that Lorin links to above, but the big payoff for that entire episode requires a certain familiarity with Daly's appearances and characters on the show to date.

I think Daly vs. Tompkins as Greatest CBB Guest could the foundation for a great comedy holy war in years to come. The two just keep upping their game.
posted by Shepherd at 11:31 AM on May 30, 2012 [2 favorites]

I should really give this another shot. Sounds like it's gotten much more interesting. I checked out while Scott was doing the intentionally (I assume) awful song parody "Birthday Checks" and playing a lot of shitty novelty records.
posted by Lentrohamsanin at 11:32 AM on May 30, 2012

I look forward to any episode with Jessica St Clair playing Marissa Wompler and Paul F Tompkins playing anybody. The latest Werner Herzog episode is probably my favorite. Tompkins has such a brilliant stable of characters. It's really fun when he plays them off one another, as he does in the Great Undiscovered Experiment on his own show, or in a few episodes of Doug Loves movies. Strangely, I'm not the biggest fan of his standup. It doesn't feel honest. It feels like he's playing another character---a shouty standup character who harangues the audience---and he doesn't really communicate the playfulness and sweetness that you get from the freeform monologues of his own podcast or from his characters on Comedy Bang-Bang or the Dead Authors podcast. I like when he giggles at his own jokes.

I think I might have difficulty watching the show because I have difficulty listening to the podcast at normal speed. Comedy podcasts become a thousand times better when played at 1.5x or 2x speed. Everyone seems much more quick-witted.
posted by painquale at 11:42 AM on May 30, 2012

saladin> The podcast is great (the Jelloems of Bill Cosby Bukowski almost made me throw up I was laughing so hard)

A previous episode with Jon Daly as Bill Cosby (before he became Bill Cosby Bukowski) had one of the funniest bits on the show, when he was setting the scene for his remote-controlled fart machine:

"Let me set the scene: so, you're in your living room, and your family -- just, it's a Saturday, and your family's hanging out. Claire is a lawyer, so she's in the corner, she's shuffling her lawyer papers, she's writing stuff down and making it happen for herself because she's an independent woman. Now Denise is on the couch, and she's the sexy daughter; she's a sexy, sexy hot mama, she's my sexiest daughter."

"A little inappropriate, but ..."

"She's on the couch. Well, thank you, but it's just true. I can't even deal with how sexy my daughter Denise is. Now Theo is on the couch with his degenerate friend Cockroach, and they are plotting and scheming. They found a live bullet in the street and gonna put it in the microwave and see what happens. Now Rudy is behind the couch, singing James Brown into the Barbie doll microphone, and Vanessa's staring out the window trying to figure out what defines her."

posted by UrineSoakedRube at 11:47 AM on May 30, 2012 [1 favorite]

Paul F. Tompkins really needs someone else in the room to play off of to shine. Left to his own devices, he plays it a bit too measured and safe, but put him in a booth with the Scottabot and guest or on stage with Doug interrupting his three different characters, and you've got gold.
posted by robocop is bleeding at 11:50 AM on May 30, 2012 [1 favorite]

Everyone can debate (and should) the funniest characters to appear on CBB are...my personal preference is for James Adomian (who is cute), Nick Kroll, and the aforementioned Wompler, but who is the funniest non-character guest to be on the show?

My ranking:

Tig Notaro (sort of doing a robot character but not really)
Tim Heidecker (same)
Amy P (rapping)
Ben Schwartz (aaaaaand 10MoreMinutes)
Zach (because he doesn't give a shit about the show)
Sarah Silverman (especially on the one with Nick as Bobby Bottleservice trying to become her agent.)
posted by Potomac Avenue at 11:56 AM on May 30, 2012

It's tough to sit back and watch any discussion of Paul F. Tompkins without linking to his Match Game Perriwinkle Ramp Up.
posted by aedison at 11:58 AM on May 30, 2012 [1 favorite]

Potomac Avenue> who is the funniest non-character guest to be on the show?

Are you counting Brett Gelman as a character? I mean, he uses his own name, but clearly he's created a "Brett Gelman" persona for the show and Gelmania.

If not, he's far and away the winner.
posted by UrineSoakedRube at 12:01 PM on May 30, 2012 [1 favorite]

Non-character, Paul Scheer. In the character department, Lil' Gary.
posted by Kwine at 12:05 PM on May 30, 2012 [2 favorites]

No foam corner love? Heathens.
posted by arsey at 12:18 PM on May 30, 2012

don't forget Amy Poehler's freestyle rap. Unfortunately I think that visuals kind of ruin the imagination requirements that really add to the show.
posted by The Ted at 12:20 PM on May 30, 2012

in re:foam, Harris Wittels, writer on parks and rec, sometimes tells (almost invariably bad) joke drafts. a good one here, starts 7:30
posted by arsey at 12:25 PM on May 30, 2012

GOOD ONE
posted by chowflap at 12:32 PM on May 30, 2012 [1 favorite]

GOOD ONE

YE-AH!? /momyelling
posted by (Arsenio) Hall and (Warren) Oates at 12:47 PM on May 30, 2012 [1 favorite]

Ben Schwartz (aaaaaand 10MoreMinutes)

Ben Schwartz and Jason Mantzoukas for me. Ben Schwartz' reaction to Matt Besser as Bjork just kills me and Mantzoukas is the ultimate straight man for Andy Daly's unhinged characters.
posted by Lorin at 12:59 PM on May 30, 2012 [1 favorite]

CA-CA-CA-CAKE BOTTTTH!

God help me that makes me cry.

That and Kroll doing El Chupacabra taking an on air call from the baby...

Bwahahahaha!!
posted by tristeza at 3:26 PM on May 30, 2012

I am always rediscovering how much I love you guys.

The whole earwolf stable is pretty amazing, their iphone app is a nightmare, but in a cute charming way. Even if the tv show is never as good as the podcast(mostly cause they can't freestyle as much, I assume.), I'll still watch it out of love and appreciation for the Choctaw.

Big up Kulap Kneehighsocks and Wi-Wi.
posted by Divine_Wino at 3:39 PM on May 30, 2012

I was worried that this wouldn't translate but I've loved everything I've seen. It's a different vibe to be sure, but I think over time it'll find its footing. The replacement mouths bit cracked me up.
posted by AzzaMcKazza at 4:52 PM on May 30, 2012

don't forget Amy Poehler's freestyle rap . Unfortunately I think that visuals kind of ruin the imagination requirements that really add to the show.

Very good, but nothing will ever top her (very pregnant) Sarah Palin rap from SNL Weekend Update.
posted by Atom Eyes at 5:33 PM on May 30, 2012

Yup, Earwolf has become the source of most of my favorite shows in the quickly-expanding Podcast Network world -- Adam Carolla's, Nerdist's, Kevin Smith's, otherses's -- and the venerable Hot Saucerman Show is one of the best.

Not sure how well the Aukerman Awkward Aesthetic is going to translate to video, but the online preview one is pretty promising.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 6:21 PM on May 30, 2012

Yup, Earwolf has become the source of most of my favorite shows in the quickly-expanding Podcast Network world -- Adam Carolla's, Nerdist's, Kevin Smith's, otherses's

There's also Maximum Fun and the Hot Dog network. It's interesting that comedy podcast networks have become a thing.
posted by painquale at 9:07 PM on May 30, 2012

Cre-eak.
Slam.

Sit.

HARRIS'S PHONE/FOAM CORNER MEGA-COMMENT:
Episode 1
Episode 2
Episode 3
Episode 4 (Part 1, Part 2)
Episode 5 (Part 1, Part 2)
Episode 6
Episode 7
Episode 8 (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3)
Episode 9
Episode 10

BUH-BUH-BUH-BONUS CLIPS:
Paul Giamatti stops by, complains
Billy Crystal performs excerpts from his Broadway show
Paul Giamatti collaborates with Reggie Watts and his looping machine
Scott Aukerman sings "Wipeout"

I'm now opening the floor for questions.
posted by EmGeeJay at 11:44 PM on May 30, 2012 [4 favorites]

Dang, finally had a chance to watch Episode 2 -- really funny! This show's going to be good.
posted by sleevener at 10:55 AM on June 2, 2012