Let's Bowl

"Let's Bowl" started out on local television in the Twin Cities. It came on late at night, something you'd stumble across while channel surfing after your 7th bottle of Hamm's.

Even the ads were locally produced, featuring Wally outside Grumpy's Bar, holding a microphone and stammering nervously -- "Ahh...over to you, Steve Sedahl." Not sure why, but that one always made me laugh.

There was a bowling contest featured under the guise of settling a dispute between two bowlers, but the game was secondary to the commentary and clips. Sedahl played it straight, counter-balanced by Rich Kronfeld's bizarre and hilarious "Wally Hotvedt." Highlights included segments like "How to Properly Dispose of an Old Bowling Ball" (chuck them into a lake) and "Tips on Dating," where the duo "date" a couple of hookers and Wally ends with the bitter complaint, "I could have done that myself!"

Another segment -- what the duo did on their days off -- featured Steve in beer can strewn hovel, pigging out from the fridge while Wally struggled to climb the cliffs at Taylor's Falls, dressed in his tight pale blue blazer and over-sized headphones. Hilarious!

Wally's awestruck comments about "league bowlers," and his struggle to apply the correct euphemism to various splits were also highlights.

"Let's Bowl" was picked up by Comedy Central and had some good moments, but the network never really knew what to do with it, running it during prime time and emphasizing the bowling "competition," which was never the point of the show. The constant commercials interrupted the flow and the side characters (Ernie, the Pig, Butch, etc.) were more distractions than anything else. The whole thing seemed rushed and kind of forced. Even Jon Stewart dissed Let's Bowl on the Daily Show -- (not enough lame, snide jokes?) -- an ignominious treatment for a show that deserved far better.

How often does a "Let's Bowl" come along in the world of modern television, a locally flavored mix of comedic genius and total crap? The networks have the "total crap" part down cold, but it's a sad thing to watch them kill such a dark, strange, funny little gem like "Let's Bowl."

Here's hoping they'll put it out on DVD.

Thank God someone finally spoofed the world of small-time bowling! This show is great -- the running commentary by Chopper and Wally is hysterical and where do they get these contestants? If you ever want to spend a half hour listening to hilarious chatter, tune in to this show. I wish there were more shows like it. Sign me up for an alley and give this Tim Scott guy more shows!

I can't put my finger on it, whether it's the matching suits that the commentators wear, the 50's-style theme song, or just the sheer absurdity of the show, I can't stop watching! I'm planning a trip to Minnesota just so I can be in the audience! I'm trying to think of people I can have small disputes with so I can be on the show! I am hooked on this show, and I can only hope that one day there will be enough episodes for Comedy Central to run a marathon.

A wholesome bowling competition with themes of sausage and polka music serves as a front for a very strange comedy show.

Wally Hotvedt is a man broken by failed relationships, and he finds creative and disgusting ways to spiral into depression.

Chopper is his announcing partner, who is well-loved, friendly, but often cruel when it comes to taking advantage of people.

The Queen Pins--unlike their showgirl counterparts on other game shows such as the famous Barker's Beauties on the Price is Right--take to taunting the contestants rather than encouraging them.

Ernie Jansen is the straight man of the group, leading the music section which includes a rotating cast of oddball acts such as Manplanet and the World's Most Dangerous Polka Band.

The skits are always humorously disturbing, and not just shocking for the sake of stirring up controversy (like many FOX programs). Of course, with a show that skews reality like this some people will just be confused.

Hilarity thy name is Let's Bowl. You don't have to be an Olympic athlete to enjoy the side splitting antics on America's number 1 indoor bowling show, but it helps. Who doesn't love to bowl? Let's bowl is a riot, and charming as hell. Old school bowling in an old school lane, none of that high falutin wide world of sports nonsense. These are real Minnesotans, locking horns on the parquet floors, and bowling for vengeance and great prizes. I love Let's Bowl and you will too!