Stella

In the post-Friends era where the "sitcom is dead," the new Comedy Central series Stella proves that great comedy is about innovation, not repetition. It's a difficult task to describe what makes the Stella trio of Michael Ian Black, David Wain, and Michael Showalter so side-splittingly funny. Perhaps it's that one never knows what they will do next. The three ne'er-do-wells find themselves propelled from one exceedingly far-fetched situation to the next (being caught "in tableau", enjoying various dipping sauces for food they've found in the dumpster). This series will appeal to drama geeks, fans of 80s pop culture, dark humorists, and anyone sick of the rote, by-the-numbers that constitutes typical sitcom material. It finds a welcome home at Comedy Central, and will soon stand alongside other eccentric hits such as South Park, Chapelle Show, and Reno 911.

Stella is pure comedy genius. If you fancy non-sensical and bizarre humor, Stella is right down your alley.

I was introduced to this comedy trio while living in NYC and got the chance to see them live a couple of times. Each show introduced a new film short, which was the part of the show I looked most forward to. When I heard about the Comedy Central show, I was super stoked.

The pilot episode gave me the impression that they are going to bring the laughs without diluting the oddball humor that made them famous in NYC. While we probably won't be hearing any obscenities or seeing as many sex shop props, I am confident Stella's going to be a hit.

In many ways, Stella reminds me a refined late-night long-form improv set out of Chicago. There are numerous winks at the audience and stylized imitations of clichéd genres. Yes, it's alternative comedy but if you really let the premise flow with you, there is some very witty writing. The consequences of everyone's actions are very minimal but at the same time it's a show that tries to exist in a world of satire. Ultimately, it's about the three friends as they explore the world. (Albeit, a world filled with wacky antics.) Still, the basic tenets of improv are always being reinforced: the "Yes and.." nature combined with a concentration on the relationship between the characters.

I had seen Stella do stand-up on several occasions and found what they did on stage hilarious but somewhat limited. Not anymore. Stella with their new show is everything you could hope to see if you were a fan before the series. They take out a lot of the homosexual stuff they use in their act and replace it with a ton of outlandish humor. From spoofing "JFK" to making jokes about the great Irish potato famine, Stella is a fun half an hour of television. Michael, Michael, and David have been doing stand-up together for years and when stand up comedians trying doing shows (The Drew Carey Show, The George Lopez show, The Job, Action, etc.) they either end up terrible, slightly humorous, or are canceled before you get a chance to see them. Not with Stella, then again, there's still time for it to get canceled...

If you are into ridiculously funny comedy then this is the show for you. Some people won't understand it because they are not smart enough for it but it is brilliant non-the-less. If you have seen any of the Stella sketches or Stella's stand-up then you will like this. Watch this show, you won't regret it. The three Jewish members of The State had an instant connection and after The State was through formed this hilarious trio. Michael, Michael, and David could not be any funnier. Watch this show people, it is the most amazing thing ever. If you don't watch it you will regret it for the rest of your life and you will be like "remember that time I didn't watch Stella, that was dumb of me."