Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Christy the Reporter Provides the Scoop on Bob's Burgers Live


While most people were home fixing dinner or watching the latest network singing competition, my pal and I were enjoying some of the best live entertainment I’ve ever experienced: Bob’s Burgers Live. If you are familiar with the show you are probably wondering how they could make an animated television show live. It was no ordinary performance, however. There was stand-up comedy, sketch comedy, a table read and finally a Q&A.

            The stars of Bob’s Burgers were all comedians in their own right before the show was created. If the names Kristen Schaal, Eugene Mirman, Dan Mintz. John Roberts or H. Jon Benjamin don’t mean anything to you I recommend looking up their stuff immediately. All of them are very talented. It’s rare to find a show that is rounded out with such great talent. These actors did not disappoint. Kristen Schaal regaled us with her fantasy ideal meeting with Tori Amos. Eugene Mirman shared his fan mail to Justin Bieber (“I put a $1 bill in my butt and I won’t remove it until we have an open and honest dialogue about religion!) and John Roberts did his trademark impressions. Roberts’ impression of his mom wound up being the basis for the character, Linda, whom he voices on Bob’s Burgers. Dan Mintz performed his observational, deadpan humor that did not fail to amuse us all. One joke that stands out: “If I were in a plane about to crash, I’d start taking away gay rights”.  Maybe you had to be there. Trust me though, it was hilarious.

 Jon Benjamin’s act was perhaps the most unorthodox. What started out as a rambling, narcissistic monologue about his comedic talent turned into a sketch where Bane from The Dark Knight Rises is discovered by Jon, sitting in the audience. Jon asked Bane about his visit to L.A. (to visit the financial markets and Bane’s homosexual brother) and Bane cited the coffee shop Intelligentsia as one of his favorite tourist attractions.

            The audience got a glimpse of the upcoming Christmas episode of Bob’s Burgers followed by a reading of the upcoming Thanksgiving episode. The latter was not read in its entirety so we’ll all be waiting until November to see what happens in the third act. It was so surreal seeing the actors voice their characters, especially Jon Roberts and Dan Mintz. Both actors are male and voice female characters.  I have to note that when Dan Mintz started his stand-up he had to try three times before people stopped laughing. I am pretty sure that the audience was imagining him as Tina, the awkward thirteen year old girl he brings to life in the cartoon. I think his voice will be forever linked in our minds to that female character.

            Unfortunately, Jon Benjamin proved somewhat rude in the Q&A session. Is this part of his charm? I don’t know. I felt as though some of the audience members left with their questions unanswered at best, insulted at worst. The short lived comedy central series “Jon Benjamin Has a Van” starring the authoritarian, self-centered Benjamin perhaps proves more autobiographical than most of us thought. On the bright side, we learned a few gems about the world of Bob’s Burgers. Bob’s favorite children are his girls, especially Louise, and Linda’s favorite is Gene closely followed by Tina. Also, the show takes place on the Jersey Shore. Here I was thinking it was Staten Island!

            I have to thank UCLA radio for the opportunity to see this fun show. Bruin Comedy and the UCLA radio promotions manager put in a lot of work for me to get these tickets and I just want to say I appreciate their effort very much. Due to their hard work hopefully there will be other great shows and lucky winners in the future.  I went to PaleyFest a few months ago and I can honestly say Bob’s Burgers Live, although similar, was much more entertaining. I had a great night seeing one of my favorite TV shows brought to life in my very favorite art form – comedy!