Last Cripple Standing
I will begin this post with an acknowledgment. Which is, that in writing what I am about to write, I acknowledge that I actually watched Season Four of Last Comic Standing, a show that everyone in America — including its own network — gave up on after a third season so embarrassing that NBC refused to air the final episode.
I am so ashamed.
Please forgive me.
Having come clean with that... Ty Barnett got robbed.
Ty wasn't the funniest comic in this season's cast. That honor went to Gabriel Iglesias, who found himself punted from the show in midseason because he got caught calling his girlfriend on his Blackberry, in violation of the show's strict sequester orders. Ty was, however, the funniest of the comics who remained after Gabriel's departure. He most certainly was funnier than last night's big winner, Josh Blue.
Now, I know that it's politically incorrect to say that Josh is not funny. He's a young man with cerebral palsy who has overcome tremendous obstacles in pursuing his dream of being a stand-up comic. His is a inspirational story that would make a heartwarming movie for the Hallmark Channel.
But friends, I'm here to tell you... I know that I am funnier than Josh Blue.
Josh's entire act revolves around his disability, much in the same way that Season One's Last Comic Standing, Dat Phan, built an entire act out of the fact that his family is from Vietnam and his mom struggles with the English language and American culture. Both premises are good for a few quick laughs. At some point, though, you have to move on to other topics. Dat couldn't, and Josh never did, either.
A one-joke comic, even if that one joke is a good one, is not funny.
Definitely, not funny enough to merit the title of Last Comic Standing.
I am so ashamed.
Please forgive me.
Having come clean with that... Ty Barnett got robbed.
Ty wasn't the funniest comic in this season's cast. That honor went to Gabriel Iglesias, who found himself punted from the show in midseason because he got caught calling his girlfriend on his Blackberry, in violation of the show's strict sequester orders. Ty was, however, the funniest of the comics who remained after Gabriel's departure. He most certainly was funnier than last night's big winner, Josh Blue.
Now, I know that it's politically incorrect to say that Josh is not funny. He's a young man with cerebral palsy who has overcome tremendous obstacles in pursuing his dream of being a stand-up comic. His is a inspirational story that would make a heartwarming movie for the Hallmark Channel.
But friends, I'm here to tell you... I know that I am funnier than Josh Blue.
Josh's entire act revolves around his disability, much in the same way that Season One's Last Comic Standing, Dat Phan, built an entire act out of the fact that his family is from Vietnam and his mom struggles with the English language and American culture. Both premises are good for a few quick laughs. At some point, though, you have to move on to other topics. Dat couldn't, and Josh never did, either.
A one-joke comic, even if that one joke is a good one, is not funny.
Definitely, not funny enough to merit the title of Last Comic Standing.
Labels: Teleholics Anonymous
SwanShadow was randomly pounding the keyboard at 5:17 PM
3 insisted on sticking two cents in:
I agree... kind of.
I totally think Ty should have won it. He was funnier than most of the people there, at least based on what they showed us which honestly, wasn't much.
However, I DO think that Josh is talented and is more than a "one trick pony". He's definitely not to be lumped in the same category as Dat Phan. I do think he relies too heavily on the one joke though which makes it *seem* as if that's all he has to offer, but when they show him in candid shots, he's just a naturally, funny guy.
Still I knew the crippled guy was going to win because he is...a cripple.
But funny or not, does it really matter? Nobody's career from any of the season's thus far has exactly skyrocketed.:(
I don't think we agree too much, Janet.
I don't think Josh has to be a one-trick pony. But in terms of what he did on stage during LCS, at this stage of his career, he is exactly that. He needs to bring more of that natural comedic ability you noted to the microphone with him.
Being funny away from the footlights will entertain his friends and family, but it won't put bread on his table. You and I both know people who can be very funny sitting at a bar or across a dinner table, but couldn't be brilliant on stage.
As a professional comedian, Josh needs to realize that "on stage" is all that counts. And right now, he's relying almost entirely on his disability for his stage act. I think you're right, that he could do more. But because he didn't bring more variety when it mattered, I'm saying he didn't deserve to win.
If he could have competed against this year's cast, Alonzo Bodden would have won again.
This is why at the end of the day, I think we agree. I also dont think Josh should have won but maybe that message didnt get across.
I honestly could see Ty in a sitcom, movies etc. He is a comic force to be reckoned with.
But Josh up against Alonzo? I still say the sympathy vote, no matter how valid, might always win out.:(
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