The Birthday Boys

I've probably re-written this review 20 times so far and it just gets more and more long-winded each time, so the hell with it, let's do the quick, no-bullshit version.

The show's not good. Y'know when you're watching something that's supposed to be funny, and instead of laughing, even inwardly, you catch yourself instead just thinking things like, "Oh, I see how that could be funny. Or could've been. Neat idea. ... K, why haven't we moved to the next sketch yet?" It's not that it's all that bad, even, I mean, I see how it could be funny at times, but in a lot of ways it's so much worse to be disappointing than just flat-out bad. When something is just bad, it doesn't tend to feel like nearly as much wasted potential as something that could've been real damn good.

Here's hoping these guys learn to edit their show a lot more objectively in their next season. In the meantime, re-watch Mr. Show if you want some actually funny Bob Odenkirk sketch comedy. Hell, go back further to the Ben Stiller Show, more classic sketch comedy, written, produced by, and actually starring Bob Odenkirk and Ben Stiller (nerd note: Ben is also an E.P. on Birthday Boys); the last few episodes of its lone season still hold up incredibly well something like 20 years later, whereas this...

(Truthfully, I'm really sad. I really thought Bob knew how to pick 'em when he got behind Tim & Eric way early, and nearly everyone from Mr. Show is now either a household name or at least seen/heard constantly... This is a very negative review with a very heavy sigh attached to it.)

Plenty to appreciate about this show. The writing and the acting make for a good time. I look forward to it every week. I'd like to catch these guys performing live. Looks like they have a lot of fun making the show, and it translates to fresh, inspired television.

The pace is good. They know how long a sketch ought to be, unlike some other shows where a sketch should have ended a few minutes earlier. This show keeps things moving.

I recommend getting the iTunes season pass. Our cable provider eliminated IFC from our package, so I'm glad to have found another way to watch the show. Check it out if you haven't already.

I'm a huge fan of KITH, Mr. Show, and A Bit of Fry & Laurie and I think this show has the potential to end up in that rarified air. The sketches are clever and hilarious and they're not tethered to impressions, recurring characters or current events, which is refreshing.

Give these guys time to mature and I think they'll be the next big thing. Only Key and Peele can compete with these guys in terms of quality sketch comedy that is currently in production.

I see several negative reviews here which is fine, its not for everyone. What I don't get is why people have to be so over-the-top with their negativity these days! You can just say you don't like. You don't have to call it 'crap' or moan about losing respect for Bob Odenkirk. It ain't that serious folks!

I'm seeing quite the polarization, here: Folks either think it's the bees' knees, or think it sucks. For one thing, I don't think there's any use comparing it against Mr. Show: The flavor is very updated/refined/lower-key. I like that; it's a different modality, and one I could plug in to.

The key, I think, is that Odenkirk is trying to become a better and better producer of media products that aspire to true art, and I for one see TBBs as a step in this direction.

So: What makes TBBs look, to me, like such a step? The writing and directing are very well-integrated. This integration means that they don't have to rely on an "obvious" sketch gimmick to clue in the acting talent as to their motivation. Bob has a subtler idea, and he ably directs very able actors to achieve these subtler comic effects. Good on 'im!

I was just thinking of watching them again. Yeah! I think I'll do that!

As a huge fan of sketch comedy, I've known its always VERY hit and miss. Even the best, Mr. Show, Ben Stiller Show, the State, Kids In The Hall produced a lot of bad sketches. But I've been so impressed with how consistently well written each episode of the BBoys has been so far. And unlike the plethora of new sketch groups, especially youtube sensations like Good Neighbor, these guys put good writing first, and performance second. None of the ensemble members are trying to score laughs at the expense of the sketch. Where most TV sketch shows lurch awkwardly from bit to bit the Birthday Boys guide the viewer through the show with interweaving sketches, not unlike Mr. Show. But where Mr. Show had a surreal but linear approach to their transitions the Birthday Boys weave their sketches amongst each other with ease. Their second episode Goofy Roofers is a perfect example, silly, self-referential and even a little sweet. Don't expect huge belly laughs, and people that need that in their comedy won't like this. But if you enjoy smart, silly and very well written sketch comedy you need to see this.