The Upright Citizens Brigade - The Complete First Season

Rating:
Summary: Humans rule, dolphins can suck it!
Review: Although the UCB were still developing their skills and characters in Season 1, it's a must-have for anyone who enjoys sketch comedy. This is a show that's still funny the 4th or 5th time you see an episode, and you'll want to share it with all your friends and loved ones.

The first time I saw UCB (like many shows that ended up being my absolute favorites) I hated it. I thought it was juvenile and stupid. The next time I saw it I realized that the juvenile stupidity was part of a grander scheme of utter hilarity and yet deeper social significance. So give it a chance, or two.

I'm waiting eagerly, however, for the second season, for which I bet I'll wish I could choose a six star rating.

Rating:
Summary: Intelligent Comedy
Review: As with "SCTV" and "Mr. Show", some of the brainiest and most creative comedy ever made. As with "SCTV", "Kids In The Hall", and "Reno 9/11", based on improvisation and adapting stage performance skills to the medium of television.

These 4 people are massively talented. Amy Poehler we've all seen and noticed on SNL. Ian Roberts is a great straight man, great also at playing characters who grow more and more angry or indignant over the course of an event (as did John Candy in years past). Matt Walsh is hilarious. Matt Besser is likeable and hilarious.

Some of this material doesn't work for me at all, but the better part of it demands to be seen. "Poo Stick" and "Saigon Suicide Squad" are great shows, and "Time Machine" may be the most perfect 30 minutes of comedy anyone ever put together, up there with Mr. Show's best episodes, in a region even surpassing Monty Python and SCTV's classic work.

I, too, managed not to see this show during its initial run and am now dumbfounded at how good it was.

Rating:
Summary: Simply Brilliant
Review: I was a huge fan of this show when it was on television and now the DVDs are bringing back so many great and hilarious memories. I just brought this to a friend's party last night and a bunch of us sat down and watched the entire second disk, and they all loved it. The show employs a really great mix of improv, smart humor, and physical comedy that I just haven't seen anywhere else. I highly recommend this DVD set of you need a good laugh.

Now we wait for the other seasons to come out...