Comedy Bang! Bang!

It's refreshing to see a new show with fresh and unpredictable writing. As an old person I also appreciate the humor that isn't about a toilet or other bodily functions. I'm talking to you Tosh. I love the way that the episodes are named and of course the content. My favorite bit was where Scott interrupts an interview (which he does frequently) and goes out to feed his meter. The sketch occurs in the future where lasers and explosions are happening. Jillian Jacobs (Community) gets into his car as he is trying to find his meter credits and tries to convince him to join the rebel alliance. He refuses and returns casually to the show after applying his credits to the meter. It was fantastic. I've loved each episode and am an avid fan. Keep it up!

Let's start by recognizing that Comedy Bang Bang is made for comedy connoisseurs. This is the American talk show deconstructed: it is not so important that you "laugh" so much as you appreciate the aesthetics of the bit; it is not so concerned with jokes as it is concerned with the technique and form of jokes. Disagree? Look, it cannot be a coincidence that the season one guest lineup is a virtual Algonquin Round Table of all the major figures in the alt comedy scene: Galifianakis, Poehler, Oswalt, Tompkins, Helms, Rogen, Odenkirk, Forte, Kroll, Rudd, Barry, Arnett, Cera, Koechner, Cross, Black, Scott, Lennon, Scheer … and you get the sense that this is the kind of material that they would perform for each other if there were no audience around: esoteric, experimental, and with a healthy amount of self-aware meta-humor. This is, in other words, hard-edged alternative comedy for the dedicated enthusiast, not the more palatable and softened version that you get from, e.g., Portlandia, Parks and Recreation, etc. Indeed, that most viewers will find this show alienating is kind of the point – a big part of the reason that one out of ten people will love this show is because they know the other nine are going to hate it. Add to that great chemistry between Scott Aukerman and Reggie Watts and pitch-perfect character performances from both and you have, in my opinion, the most consistently interesting television that I have seen in years. Hey, one out of ten people can't be wrong, no?

When I watched the first episode, I was wondering what I was watching. I then watched the second episode and wondered why I was still watching this! Half way through the second episode is when it hit me; this is meant to seem like a bad talk show when talking with the guest.

The comedy of it is making fun of how bad talk shows can be, and how the hosts think they can do no wrong. The humor of it can be compared to what I call everyday humor; stuff that happens in everyday life that is funny, but not everyone get's it. It is not a show catering to everyone, and not for people who aren't into the harder styles of comedy(Comedy that the average person usually doesn't understand why it is funny.).

They do go out on a lot of limbs in this show, but that is what you do in comedy. I will admit sometimes these chances they take fall flat, but I appreciate their vision. Reggie and Scott are a great duo; they play well off each other, and you feel like it's real when Reggie makes fun of Scott, or when Scott is being sincere about his feeling with Reggie.

All around I suggest check it out, because even though I didn't like the first episode, something made me keep watching the second. To me, that means they were still doing something right.

It's that type of comedy that, pardon the cliché, you either get it or you don't. I love randomocity, and this show capitalizes on it. If you find humor in not knowing what's going to happen next and hate predictable comedy where you know exactly what a character is going to say before they say it, then this show is definitely for you. Otherwise, steer clear because chances are you will not be amused. It reminds me a lot of "Tom Goes to Mayor" with its 'anything goes' style of comedy. If you find yourself agitated because you don't understand why it's hilarious, just sit back, stop thinking about it, and let the unpredictability guide you on a magical journey.

I'll admit Cbb isn't for everyone, it's not your run of the mill comedy talk show, but if you're sick of the regular prime time comedy and want something unique, this is it. You won't learn anything new or gain any significant insights, this show doesn't have a "point", it's just here to entertain and it does that job exceptionally well. We're all just specs floating in the ever expanding blackness of space, don't take yourself too seriously, give it a try.