Tue, November 9, 2004
AvgM: Cheap Seats—12:04 AM
I was watching an episode of Kids in the Hall on TiVo last night and they did a sketch where Bruce McCullough had tried to commit suicide (by swallowing a shoelace) and the other troupe members were at his hospital bedside trying to cheer him up. (With everyone playing himself, in this particular sketch.)
It came up that Bruce had left a suicide note, which was more like a manuscript: over 100 pages. And he became really offended as, one by one, the other troupe members were gradually forced to admit that they hadn't read it. Mark McKinney admitted: "I just skimmed it, looking for my name."
That's what I do with the Average Mulder sometimes (no, not really; it would almost never pay off if I did, although about 33% of the time it would pay off, it would pay off in the same sentence as Maggie Haskins – no complaints there!), and this week, there I am. And in the middle of a nice sales pitch for ESPN Classic's Cheap Seats, which is a show you should all be enjoying anyway. If I haven't already told you so in person, consider this as your notice.
The Best Sports Show You're Not Watching [Athletic Reporter]
Brandon — Tue, 11/9/04 2:25am
You know, I recorded it and checked it out a few weeks ago, and... I just didn't like it. At all. In fact, I only lasted for about five stone-faced minutes before I stopped and deleted. What can I say? Just further proof that The Funny remains one of the most perplexingly subjective aspects of our wacky human existence.
Bee Boy — Tue, 11/9/04 10:14am
Then again, maybe it's the eye patch.
Joe Mulder — Tue, 11/9/04 11:46am
"Then again, maybe it's the eye patch."
Or the you're gay.
Seriously, though; there are a couple of lackluster episodes (the Oilers/Red Wings hockey game rings a bell). But I think this Thursday is roller derby; I'm not sure if it's the roller derby one Jameson and I saw earlier, but, even if it's new roller derby, it should be funny. If you're ever going to give it a second chance...
Brandon — Tue, 11/9/04 1:19pm
Yes, this Thursday's 7pm episode says "Roller derby from 1986." And because I think so highly of both of your comedic opinions, I will give it a second chance. But if it doesn't make me laugh... (shakes a fist in a threatening manner in Joe and Jameson's general direction - wait a second, let me make sure I'm facing west... okay, there!)
Brandon — Fri, 11/12/04 7:46pm
Sorry guys. I tried - the DVR says I lasted 3 minutes this time. I just don't find the Sklar brothers at all funny. Not here, not on their previous MTV shows, not on a train, not in a tree, not in a car, Sklars, let me be! Their delivery on "Cheap Seats" is awful - I realize they're aiming for deadpan, but what they're doing borders on monotone. I could perhaps see the show working with a different set of hosts, but for me, this current incarnation is just unwatchable.
Bee Boy — Fri, 11/12/04 11:04pm
He he!
Seriously, to each his own. But this is like people who don't like Curb Your Enthusiasm or Arrested Development. I'm just mystified. I mean, I never was a huge fan of Sklar-to-the-power-of-Sklar on the stand-up stage, myself – although they had their moments. Still, for some reason, the show just clicks for me. Maybe I'm desperate for anything that even resembles MST3K. And if I can appreciate it, I have to believe that a sports fan would eat it up.
The most shocking part is that by your account you've never gotten more than five minutes into the show. The absolute worst part of the show (which ranges, episode to episode, from mildly funny to almost unwatchable) is the videotaped sketch, usually a mock profile of a lesser-known sports personality, which airs smack dab in the middle of the show. I could understand you hating that!
But, seriously, to each his own.
Brandon — Fri, 11/12/04 11:19pm
But this is like people who don't like Curb Your Enthusiasm or Arrested Development. I'm just mystified.
Luckily, for the sake of avoiding overmystification, I'm a big fan of both of those shows. Wonderfully, beautifully, supremely funny.