The (206)

I think that the IMDb user who wrote the previous comment on "The (206)" was being a bit too hard on the show. I will admit that the show so far hasn't been as consistently funny as "Almost Live!" was during its run. And I'll admit that there have been some sketches that have had me scratching my head and thinking, "This is supposed to be funny?" On the other hand, there have been some very funny moments that have been up to "Almost Live!" at its best, such as the Perv Appliance commercial.

So why isn't the show as good as "Almost Live!"? A look at the credits gives some strong clues. First of all, "The (206)" has less than half of the regular cast members that "Almost Live!" had - which kind of limits the variety of sketches that can be written and performed. Also, the bigger cast of "Almost Live!" were all credited with the writing. More people collaborating on the sketches on the show increased the chances of the sketches being funny. In "The (206)", the writing on the show is mainly credited to the three regular actors on the show, with occasionally some input from one or two other people.

If anyone from "The (206)" is reading this, the suggestions on how the show can be improved are easy. First, increase the number of regular cast members (and add some WOMEN to the regular cast - the women on "Almost Live!" helped make some very funny moments!) Second, hire some more writers, maybe getting writer input from new members added to the cast. Maybe new performers/writers could be found in Seattle's comedy clubs.

I realize the show is in its infancy, and may improve over time. And as I said earlier, the show DOES have some funny moments right now, enough that I'll keep watching. But there IS room for improvement.

It's kind of funny, but it needs some more regulars - especially women. I'm sure there are some female comedians in the Seattle who would jump at this opportunity - I was a bit surprised that no female cast members of "Almost Live" wanted to come back (or were asked back). The spoof of the Beverly Hillbillies was amusing. The recurring "Perv Appliance" skit is funny, as is the spoof of "Breaking Bad". "Renton Abbey" has potential, but maybe it should be moved into a split-entry instead of a trailer in a field. "The 411" segment is too short, but then I suppose John Keister has run out of jokes. I used to watch "Almost Live" after SNL, but lately I've been migrating toward reruns of Star Trek: TNG.

Honestly get some writers. Hell, get some interns to write for you. Do something--you are missing the funny bone by miles. Old jokes about Renton and Bellevue are out of date, pick up a newspaper a NATIONAL newspaper and pull something from there and compare it to Oz in a joking fashion. Hell, get some interns to write for you. Do something--you are missing the funny bone by miles. Old jokes about Renton and Bellevue are out of date, pick up a newspaper a NATIONAL newspaper and pull something from there and compare it to Oz in a joking fashion.

Old jokes about Renton and Bellevue are out of date.

Almost Live was not only a funny Seattle show, it was funny on a national level easily equal to or superior to Saturday Night Live at the time.

The (206) is simply not Almost Live. We love Pat Cashman. We love John Keister. We want them to succeed. Problem is.... this honestly is just awful. The comic timing is completely off, the jokes are terrible and not even remotely clever. The most mediocre comedian would shake his head in sadness watching the skits and monologues. One of the rules of comedy is to find the joke behind a situation, discard it immediately and then look a little harder for the more clever joke that surprises the audience and hits the funny bone. The (206) ALWAYS goes for the first, obvious, mediocre joke.

One example of the obvious joke: "People say that Dori Manson is a girl's name. That's ridiculous! Manson is a guys' name. See, 'Man' is in the name." REALLY? That's a joke? If a 3rd grader was trying to use this to joke with his parents I might pet his head condescendingly... but professional comedians?! If one of these slipped through... okay... a moan once in awhile is understandable but MOST of the jokes are just that weak! I really want Pat Cashman and John Keister to stay on the air. I want good, topical Seattle humor. Please, please hire more/better writers and bring some of your old cast back.