(8.22) “Comedy Bang! Bang!” is one of the funniest television shows ever. While its creator and star Scott Aukerman may not be a household name, you probably love him. He was a writer and performer on the sketch series “Mr. Show with Bob and David” and the co-creator and director of the Funny or Die web series “Between Two Ferns” with Zach Galifianakis.
Emerging from the podcast of the same name (still running . . . a cast of regulars with mad improvisation skills) the television show ran for five seasons on IFC (still available on demand).
Aukerman has surrounded himself with the same group of eccentric actors and comedians throughout his career, many of whom now have careers of their own, but they always come back! The podcast recently celebrated its 10th anniversary with a 10 hour podcast with appearances from regulars and favored guests: Nick Kroll, John Hamm, Jason Mantzoukas, Andy Daly, Paul F. Tompkins, Lauren Lapkus, Adam Scott, Thomas Middleditch, “Weird Al” Yankovic, James Adomian, and more. (The TV show’s bandleaders — Reggie Watts, Kid Cudi, and Weird Al respectively — have also made their way in the world.)
Thursday’s event is described as follows: “A special LIVE performance features Scott and very special guests doing a totally improvised program, with plenty of character drop-ins.” Special guests: the underused SNL cast member, Ego Nwodim, and two of the best CB!B! regulars Lauren Lapkus and Paul F. Tompkins. And while Tompkins finds the unlikeliest of targets — Werner Herzog, Lord Andrew Lloyd Weber, and his Cake Boss makes me weep — Lapkus (also Susan on “Orange is the New Black”) could fill *some big place/building* with the throngs that inhabit her brain.
This is going to be good.
$35-$45, doors 7pm, show 8pm, Thursday, August 22, Columbus Theatre, 270 Broadway, (directions)
Scott with Cake Boss.
Lapkus as Big Sue.