Fat Dude Digs Flicks

Two hours after completing the entire series of Doug Benson’s stand-up comedy series on Comedy Central, I’m left trying to answer a pairing of questions: is this the best show I don’t really like or is it the worst show I kind of enjoy?

A departure from the usual shows I watch, The Benson Interruption is six episode long series in which our host, the perma-high Doug Benson, sits in a throne-like chair in the stage right area while his stand-up comedian friends tell a few jokes. The catch to this basic format is that Benson heckles them from his place on stage, interjecting his own jokes on top of theirs. The results are a mixed bag from the hilarious (with Greg Proops and Tom Lennon), to the infuriating (with TJ Miller and Rob Huebel), to the overshadowing (with Mary Lynn Rajskub). The show is at its best when the two comedians play off of each other, delivering new jokes from the set-up by the featured performer. It is at its worst when the featured performer gets frustrated or, as in the case with the seemingly out of place Rajskub, just gives up.

Benson seems to be primarily known for his role in stoner culture. Comedy, too, but as the subject of the documentary film, Super High Me, it is hard to not instantly associate him with marijuana use. Simply put, he’s the Snoop Dogg of stand-up comedy; a Chong without a Cheech. He wanders on stage at the beginning of each episode, eyes half-shut, before delivering the premise of the show capped with a pun heavy joke. As the show progresses, it’s clear to see why he is the host of the show. In Benson’s element, the other stand-ups typically falter at living up to their reputations. His delivery is natural and his jokes hilarious. If his comedic life were like a Popeye cartoon, his spinach is a bong hit, giving every joke the strength a right-handed jab to the mouth.

That’s not to say every comedian fails on the show. Tom Lennon of The State and Reno 911 fame excels, as do Greg Proops, Michael Ian Black, and the Sklar Brothers. Being a fan of Benson’s “Doug Loves Movies” podcast, the ones that have become regular guests there look to be the ones who did well going toe to toe with the interruption. 

However, the best part of the show is a segment with each comment called the Twitter War. Each comedian whips out their cell phone and scrolls through their tweets to find funny zingers to share with the crowd. These quick one liners range from the hilarious to the absurd. It reveals something most of us already know to be true: comedians make the best Twitter users.There is a chemistry there that is apparent from the moment these guys walk on stage. A confidence in their walk and an ease in their attitude. Once they get to talking, it’s very easy to watch.

The biggest problem with the show is the editing. It doesn’t help the cause that the series was on Comedy Central. While a nice network to reveal talents of comics not widely known, it is a basic cable network. My guess is that the best jokes during filming were cut out due to language and content. Benson remarks at one point that Comedy Central will censor the word “midget.” It is, in fact, bleeped, even on the Netflix streaming version. Were the show uncensored and cut together better, it may be a more enjoyable show.

The Benson Interruption is funny, but upsetting. I get the gag of the show is for him to interrupt his friends, but this happens in a more entertaining fashion on Benson’s weekly podcast. It makes for a quick watch, only lasting for one season of six episodes, so I would definitely recommend it if you need a small dose of stand-up comedy. More than that, though, I highly suggest subscribing to “Doug Loves Movies” on iTunes. A panel of celebrity guests, comedy, and movie discussion lead to a great hour plus of entertainment.