SmartLess: On the Road

I have to confess I knew nothing about the podcast, Smartless, when watching this. Also, I probably only tuned in because there is a lull in programming due to the time of year and the writers' strike. I am so glad I did. A look at a traveling tour for the podcast, Smartless, starring Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett. It has both backstage footage and scenes of the Live Stage show, with special guest stars like David Letterman, Will Ferrell, Conan O'Brien and more. Shot in Black and White, this is well constructed, well edited, and well directed. I really enjoyed the chemistry and the humor between these guys. Worth checking out. I expect if you are a fan of the podcast it has more layers to enjoy.

I love all three of these guys and I had never heard of the podcast but I LoVE Will Ferrell (saw an as with him on the show which is why I watched) so I watched ep1 and then couldn't stop! Binged them all and had a great time!!! It's a fun romp, so when you want to be entertained, do yourself a favor and check out this show. It made me laugh, I thought it was sweet to see the relationship of the three main guys and all the guests were fun and I liked the behind the scenes and the getting to know the backstory of each of their lives and I enjoyed having their partners/ spouses/ kids/ friends interact also. That depth touched me. Overall I enjoyed this show very much.

If you like the podcast, you'll like this series. The banter between the three is always great but Bateman comes off as a jerk at times. Maybe he tones it back after episode 1, but he's a little much during that one and he's that way at times on the podcast as well. When Will does it, it comes off a little better where you know he's joking but with Bateman it seems like he means what he's saying. That's my only gripe, otherwise it's pretty funny. There are times where it's just them chit-chatting amongst themselves while traveling and while I haven't watched the rest of the episodes yet, I would imagine they would need to include more of some of the interviews with guests so it doesn't get repetitive.

You are bright, funny and quick and you have incredible guests. And therein lies the problem. It seems that your guests are just there to provide a foil for your humor. I get so frustrated when one of you asks a really good question, the guest starts to answer and another of you jumps in w either a comment, a joke or your own story. What is the point of having great guests if you won't let them talk? You three have plenty of time in the open and close, could you possibly devote the interview portion to an actual interview. And, Jason, what is it with asking a question like "do you have issues w questions, YES?" really weird. I realize I am probably in the minority, but as a broadcaster myself, you sometimes hurt my ears. So though I love you 3, I can barely listen to the podcast anymore.

I can't stop obsessing about this series of 6 appearances in large theaters by podcast hosts Sean Hayes, Jason Bateman and Will Arnett. Why? Because it's such a horrid idea to put a podcast on a stage! And yet...never having heard any of the shtick on the podcast, I enjoyed so much of the ribbing. Parts of the documentary, beautifully presented in black and white, were cringe-worthy, parts were bare-naked, revealing insecurities and personal hygiene habits. Parts were embarrassing to the hosts, as it was obvious they were over-compensating for dull spots in the show/s. Each host displayed amazing quick wit in spots. Each revealed, probably inadvertently, hurts in their past. I was uncomfortable (especially with guest Kevin Hart) - I was tickled, I was repelled, I was riveted and binged the whole 6 episodes. Stars in the entertainment industry are NOT like us. And yet they kind of are, so you can dislike some of their personality traits. Parts of the episodes were SO awkward. I may change my opinion... but first look? Absolute daring...revealing, I say "don't do it anymore." I felt the pressure in my living room.