MovieChat Forums > Comedy Bang! Bang! (2012) Discussion > The problem with CBB TV

The problem with CBB TV

posted 12 years ago by synpax
9 replies | jump to latest

I have listened to every episode of the podcast. It is my favorite podcast; it makes me laugh, I get the humor. I'm part of the audience who enjoys that sort of thing.

I also enjoy the episodes more when Scott shuts the *beep* up and lets his professional comedian straight guest interact with his professional comedian doing a character guest.

But, my point is, I am in the demo for this type of alt/anti humor (or whatever you call ripping off Phil Hendrie).

I understand that humor is subjective. I am pretty selective myself. I find very few things amusing. One of the things I do find amusing, as I've said, is the CBB podcast.

So I am among those suppose to enjoy the TV show.

Except I hate it. It's not funny. Scott Aukerman is who is driving the show, and he is not funny. I've followed his twitter stream. He is practically incapable of making a good joke.

So maybe he knows how to make a good show - like the podcast - where he mostly lets his guests shine.

And I can tell from comments here, on Twitter, and elsewhere, that the people this show is suppose to appeal to are the ones who hate it most - probably because they are the ones who had high expectations for it.

Anyway, I've decided to stop watching it. FX could have created another Portlandia or Sunny with this budget.... oh well.

[–] Kev585 12 years ago

It's the character he's putting on for the television show.

On the podcast his interaction is interesting and natural. The problem is he just can't act.

[–] tacotown 11 years ago

He's in character on the podcast in some capacity too.

NomNomNom

[–] kennerguy66 12 years ago

Why do I have this weird feeling that you don't know what you're talking about?

Oh yeah, because you think this show and Portlandia are made by FX.

You sound like you don't understand what the point of a straight man is. The CBB/CDR podcast couldn't exist without Scott being a perfect straight man. He's essential in keeping the show grounded, yet guiding it in weird directions, and improvising with the best in the business.

The show is different, deal with it. It's still very funny and highly original.

Shaka Da Gnu

[–] synpax 12 years ago

Okay, Mr. Hollywood. You got me. It's on IFC.

This is one of the challenges of any creative endeavor: what's the difference between something that's not good and "people not getting it?"

But you did agree with me on something; in this TV show, Scott is trying to be something other than a straight man - and he has failed.

And if you listen to the podcast, he can barely keep up with the guests improvisations. His antics would get him kicked out of any respectable improv group, but because he's the host of the show, that hasn't happened .. yet (I'm an optimist).

If you want to hear a GOOD improvisationalist, check Drew Drougie. That guy should have his own show.

[–] stranger_uk-1 11 years ago

If you meant Drew Droege he used to have a podcast on earwolf, I personally like CBB the TV show although the first season they were definatley finding there feet but they admitted that on the podcast.
With regards to not playing by improv rules, if you listen to Improv4Humans or watch Asssscat you will see improvisers who know each others styles and preferences can play around, most of the guest understand he is trying to trip them up/make them work (this is best illustrated by Wipeout with Andy Daly and Jason Mantzoukas), the only way I sort of agree with this premise is when a guest isn't privy to something that has happened on a previous episode and gets confused or when they don't understand would you rather (but that is part of the fun of would you rather)
Bare in mind this is Scott's first time as the star of a TV show no one is perfect from the get go, and just to let you know he is as much a professional comedian as anyone did you know he even has his own show now؟ :)

[–] beewcarsmells 10 years ago

Since when did Phil Hendrie invent "doing a character"?

[–] GorillazButter 10 years ago

As someone that's unfamiliar with the podcast and only recently found about this show, I actually think Scott's the best part. I don't think he's a bad actor at all. On the contrary I think he's got the whole fake corny host thing down to a tee.

If anything I wish he spoke more b/c I laugh the most at his interactions with the guests as opposed to the guests themselves talking or Reggie playing his music.

----
I'd love to see you in the moonlight with your head thrown back and your body on fire.

[–] seyeryej 10 years ago

I, too, only started with the TV show and therefore have no experience with the podcast. I have started listening to the Are U Talkin' U2 To Me podcast, so that is my limited experience with Scott Auckerman.

To me, Scott Auckerman is kind of playing the same type of person in both things. He clearly is a writer/producer type of guy who is behind the scenes of quirky/edgey stuff like Mr. Show and Between Two Ferns. And therefore, when I judge his acting ability and his screen presence, I take that into consideration as well. The comedy bits definitely seem like something that he was behind, conceptually. This helps me accept his acting ability, alot better.

The best analogy I could provide is: I'm watching late 90's Conan O'Brien, and I see him participate in comedic sketches, and on the surface, he is not a good enough actor on his own, but he matches well with the sketches and therefore I look past his raw acting ability and just assume that he is just performing a part of what is a conceptually zany and funny comedic bit.

When I see Scott Auckerman saying that he is going across America to find the best burger, and his wife's murderer, that's funny. I love the concept of the sketch. At that point I give him the credit of how much I laugh because I feel like that is a concept that he thought up, and I forgive whatever acting shortcomings he has. I attribute credit of the funny concept to him. I judge that as a whole.

There are times in which I can't get over the fact that I simply do not like the main host, no matter how decent the comedic sketch is. For example: Seth Myers sketches on his Late Night show.

[–] serfs_up 7 years ago

There are times in which I can't get over the fact that I simply do not like the main host, no matter how decent the comedic sketch is. For example: Seth Myers sketches on his Late Night show.

Exactly!