Okay, I was going to come up for air after a very hectic day closing out my dad's apartment and am now staying overnight at my aunt and step-uncle's home, using their computer. So, I figured I'd take a moment and make what will be a final post before I fly back to Chicago in the morning. I'll be leaving somewhat early, so I'm not going to log on here before taking off, but will be back in the late afternoon, Los Angeles time. I thought the premiere episode last week of the new Maya & Marty variety show on NBC was quite good. I'm still not quite sure why the series is on, but I'm glad it is, and glad the first week was as enjoyable as it was. A series like this is dependent on coming up with equally good sketches, rather than building on a premise, but they did get off to a good start. The second show last night wasn't as consistently good, but still had several very funny sketches. One of the advantages -- and treats -- of a show like this is that the two stars are able to bring back their many standard characters, like Martin Short's Ed Gremley -- and I suspect they will. After all, the first show had him bringing back perhaps my favorite of his characters, Jiminy Glick! And it was wonderful. His guest was Larry David, and it was an extremely fun mix, and an uncommon one. Usually with Jiminy Glick, the guests completely play along and treat him with kid gloves, only occasionally snapping back when he's gone over the top, even for him. But Larry David, being Larry David, wasn't having any of that. No sweetness and light. He would continually challenge Jiminy and give him very blunt grief. But in the incredibly capable hands of Martin Short -- deeply experienced playing the charactyer --Jiminy wasn't fazed by any of it. Which made it all the more a treat. I should add that as tough as Larry David was, almost more than any other guest I've seen, he visibly was having a wonderful time and truly appreciating Martin Short's skill and humor, often fighting to keep from laughing. Happily, this may be a regular segment, since last night they had another Jiminy Glick segment interviewing the musical guest, Drake. It was a hoot, and Martin Short was withering as Jiminy, not having much of an idea who Drake was and not thinking he was very good from what little he did know, which Drake took really well in good humor So, it's great to have Jiminy back. Here he is with Larry David from the first week -- and here's hoping there's more.
2 Comments
GregVB
6/10/2016 12:46:32 pm
God almighty, that was fun! I'm not sure how Martin Short can possibly keep that up, but thank the stars he can. Smarmy and snarky (and probably a few other sXarXy words), rolled into one.
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Robert Elisberg
6/11/2016 06:05:48 pm
Dr. Buzz, good points. One difference (perhaps?) is that here, Larry David is on the "offensive," and slamming Jiminy, rather than passively listening to Seinfeld. His inability to keep a straight face with Martin Short might be related to the appreciation of how unexpected -- and hilarious -- the comebacks are that not only offer a reply, but themselves are able to take the offensive back.
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AuthorRobert J. Elisberg is a political commentator, screenwriter, novelist, tech writer and also some other things that I just tend to keep forgetting. Feedspot Badge of Honor
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