The Buzz: ‘The Ringers’ Is A Comedic Appetizer
Bill Burr is back! But this time, he’s not the comedian, he’s the host. In Comedy Central’s newest show, Bill Burr Presents The Ringers, Burr does exactly what the title suggests. He presents new comedians to the public. As Burr states in the opening of the pilot, comedy is hard. Being a successful comedian is even harder. There are absolute failed comedy stand up routines, venues that cheat you out of your money, and the constant nay sayers. It’s tough for comedians in their prime, let alone aspiring ones. The Ringers is a possible solution to these problems. On the recommendation of Burr himself or other comedians, each episode stars a few up and coming comedians. The focus of the pilot episode is on Rosebud Baker, Jordan Temple, and Josh Adam Myers.
Rosebud Baker
Before each stand-up airs, Burr shares a drink and a conversation with them. Baker right off the bat comes across as laid back and self-aware. Most of her routine is self-deprecating and highlights the imbalance of racial or gender equality. She is a Caucasian woman, a fact that comes up early on in her routine. So, when it comes to cultural appropriation, that’s (not) alright with her. After all, “my people came up with appropriation…technically, I’m very in touch with my culture”. Her humor is best stylized as satirical and sarcastic. She opens up with a family fact; her grandfather, James Baker, was the Secretary of State for President George Bush Sr. With that background, one would expect her to be more conservative in nature, but Baker pokes fun at this expectancy. “I’m a liberal…just so you guys feel safe” she says to the bemused crowd. From there, Baker jumps into how expectancies – especially political – can cause the funniest hypocrisies. For instance, she points out that the leader of the KKK has “the gayest job title”. Baker brings a more subdued sense of humor than most comedians. She doesn’t gesticulate wildly or scream loudly to punctuate a joke, and it works for her. Baker will definitely be a big hit.
Jordan Temple
The next comedian is Jordan Temple, a man who was once close friends with one of the comedic greats, now unfortunately deceased. His conversation with Burr and his jokes are more somber in tone. Both he and Burr discuss the difficulty of knowing and dealing with departed loved ones, especially the ones who believed in you. Like Baker, his overall presentation is rather calm, but the laughter his jokes illicit are anything but. Temple’s main focal point is being a black man in America, a black man with depression. For as serious as his opening with Burr is, Temple’s time on stage is surprisingly lighthearted. Even his jokes about depression or being pulled over by the cops poke more fun at himself than anything. It does shed some light on serious situations and problems in society, same as Baker’s jokes about the Middle East or rape whistles, but nothing too controversial or political.
Josh Adam Meyers
Baker and Temple’s calm style of humor may be the perfect set up for the final comedian, Josh Adam Meyers. Meyers is chaotic and crass in his energy. Right of the bat, he talks with Burr about wanting to be both a comedian and a musician, a goal which is finally coming into fruition. He seems to be a bit “new agey” although it’s played up for laughs at Burr’s expense and exasperation. A music lover, Meyers’ opening joke is about the band Journey and their music video for the song “Separate Ways”. Meyers is a former addict, he used to take oxycontin (a type of opioid), a fact that he’s not proud of but he’s more than willing to joke about. Where Baker and Temple poked fun at their identities and place in society, Meyers goes full out against his appearance. He cracks jokes about his knees cracking and looking terribly old for his age. Meyers is very lively and while more crude in his subject material, still humorous and worth a good laugh.
The Show
All three comedians, though different in style and routine, share some similarities. They all play up their insecurities or backgrounds and are self-deprecating. Burr is correct in his statement that these are some of the upcoming “best of the new best”. Already, the show is off to a great start. If the following episodes feature comedians with just as much talent, ‘The Ringers’ could be for comedians what SNL used to be for comedic actors. As hilarious as these three are, there is one downside to the show. The routines are far too short. Each is about six or so minutes. It’s more of a comedic appetizer than a main event. Granted, this isn’t a comedy special starring one individual as most stand up shows go, but it’s still over far too soon. For promotion purposes, this does well in enticing the audience to want to hear (and see) more. For the audience, it’s like the fast food of comedy. Satisfying for the moment, but you’ll still want even more than what you got.