I'm with Busey

I don't know why I was actually expecting this to be a reality show, after Comedy Central had fooled me with their first "reality show" Contest Searchlight, which all turned out to be a hoax, but it wasn't really apparent to me until the end of that show. I was looking forward to the first episode of I'm With Busey, the premise seemed so great. Mr. Tough Guy actor, a little on the odd side, mentoring a young Comedy Central writer, who is a little on the wussie side. The first episode left me wanting something better, and just left me thinking that Gary Busey is either a complete idiot, or a complete psycho. But as I saw a few more episodes it dawned on me that even though Busey may be a bit nuts, he is just acting. It really became apparent that he was acting in the episode where he took Adam to the electronics store and was trying to convince him that all technology were weapons (such as a camera that will blow his mothers face off when she tries to take a picture) Also when he thought that the wax figure of John Wayne was talking to him. The Magic Indian was priceless as well. This show isn't gold, but it is entertaining. It leaves me wanting to ask Gary 2 questions. 1.) Exactly how does one play "Name That Smell?" 2.) Exactly how does a clown on the way to the electric chair behave?

First of all, for those wondering "is this real", let me put an end to the suspense. It is not. The show has writers; it is a scripted work of comedy, not reality TV. The premise and humor runs along the same lines as another show from the same network, "Project Searchlight", that starred Dennis Leary. The idea is to take a reality concept that tv execs all seem to want to duplicate (i.e. reality shows based on the lives of eccentric semi-famous poeople) and parody the concept itself by stretching it to the point of absurdity. The elements of the show are all the same as others of the same genre, but taken to their logical extreme. So in "I'm with Busey", you don't just make Busey eccentric, you make him down right bat-sh*t crazy. Many (most) viewers of the show will find themselves wondering if it's possible that anyone could be that off and not be committed to a mental institution. Do you laugh or feel pitty? And that's the humor of the show. Much like the preferred comedic style of the late great Andy Kaufman, the real laughter of the show is in realizing that the show is laughing at you. Or, more specifically, at the public that eats up the garbage of these types of reality shows. Approaching "I'm with Busey" with this in mind, the show is a well written and acted parody walking that fine line between the ridiculous and the absurd. I don't know about a whole season, but it is definitely worth watching for a few episodes.

From the reviews I had read of this show, I was expecting a "typical" reality series alla Ozzy Osbourne or Anna Nicole. After the first episode, I was intrigued because I sensed that maybe there was method behind the madness. Two subsequent episodes have convinced me that the creators of this show have truly done something original (a difficult task in today's television environment.)

"I'm With Busey" is, I believe, no more of a reality show than "Friends" but a carefully crafted improv show. The episodes are clearly structured as scenes and acts and though I am not sure if any of the lines are scripted, the situations definitely are. It astounds me that any television critic who has spend any credible time in this business could so clearly miss the spoof aspect of this program.

The comedic content is hit and miss for me, though I must admit to several huge outbursts of laughter during last night's episode. I'm completely hooked, and I hope this show goes on to be more than just a cult classic. Television hasn't seen anything this new in years.

'I'm with Busey' was momentous.

I felt that this show was not about how funny these two were together but how entertaining they are. Whether it be comedic brilliance or stupid the entire show was entertaining. To enjoy this show you must know that Busey is not your average cliché actor in the business. He does things his way and whether or not it is funny is up to the viewer. To get the show you must get Busey.

For a complete stranger who bothered enough to follow his greatest fan and try to really get to know him has never been done before. The only time that this was even tried was some reality show where celebrities were stranded on an island together.

The show to be was about a fan (Pena) realizing that his idol (Busey) was not the same person after all and the show took a twist. The show turned into Pena trying to tolerate Busey through obstacles such as Busey as a cross dresser and Busey in the wilderness.

During the final episodes of the show Pena started to bond with Busey. The episode where the show started to show some body was when Pena and Andy Dick were together for a brief time and Pena really missed Busey.

I personally feel that this show was very entertaining and I hope the second season will come soon.

But if you think the antics of someone who is more than a little crazy can also be more than a little amusing, then you'll find "I'm With Busey" aimlessly, hopelessly, helplessly funny.

Often you won't know whether to laugh or to summon psychiatric help for Busey, but if you don't find this show at least a little bit funny, then you're missing the point. ... Which is that there IS no point.

"I'm With Busey" is a modern-day, unscripted "Two Stooges." The action is madcap, the dialogue mostly mindless improvisation, and the outcome of each episode -- unlike studio series and even many reality shows -- unpredictable.

In an age where viewers invest hour upon hour with reality shows where people stop acting like themselves and simply start acting, "I'm With Busey" is frighteningly genuine. Scary though it might be, Gary Busey's life probably IS this weird.

Now THAT'S entertainment.