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Apparently, there aren’t enough comedians CORRECTION

by Brian McKim & Traci Skene on July 20th, 2011

We incorrectly referred to Howie Mandel’s latest project as being based on a Dutch televisions how. We were mistaken. It’s a Danish television show. One of our astute readers (see comments) from Holland (and we’re sure we’re using that term wrong) told us he’d never heard of Celebrity Standup. We also forgot to link the description of the show. It’s from Hollywood Reporter.

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Ever since NBC failed to bring back Last Comic Standing, the only chance for comedians to gain network primetime exposure (while actually doing standup) is via America’s Got Talent. The talent contest showcases two or three comics each season. (But there is a downside: Simpleton “judge” Piers Morgan goes into his “I don’t get it” act after each comic’s performance and says dumb and mean shit and expresses annoyance and befuddlement.)

One of the other judges on that show, Howie Mandel, is heading up a group that will attempt to develop a Dutch television show for American primetime television. When it aired overseas, it was called Celebrity Standup. From Hollywood Reporter:

The show’s concept has celebrities revealing personal stories about their lives, which, over five days, they develop into a stand-up act. The VIPs then battle each other on stage in front of a live audience, who vote on who to send to the next round.

Great. So, instead of showing actual, competent, professional comedians doing standup, Mandel will present, in a reality show format, a bunch of B- and C-list “celebrities” demonstrating just how difficult standup comedy is.

Here’s what we can hope: The professional dancers on ABC’s “Dancing With The Stars” come across as looking really likeable, professional and entertaining (while their celebrity dance partners often appear clumsy and awkward). So maybe the American version of Mandel’s show will afford similar exposure to a gang of likeable and professional comics coaching the celebrity wannabes. It ain’t much, but it’s something.

Or… the clubs will be clogged with celebrities who have been christened “real” comedians by virtue of having done a handful of two-minute sets on a reality show without falling face-down in a puddle of perspiration.

Worse yet, the biggest of the trainwrecks might embark on a nationwide tours (a la Charlie Sheen). We can see it now: Newly-retired NFL star survives three weeks on Celebrity Standup– exhibiting ghastly timing while mangling jokes written for him by Conan staffers– eventually announces a 24-city arena tour. It can happen.

We fear it will be less like “Dancing With…” and more like “Skating With The Stars.” Lots of wobbly performances, lots of “injuries,” lots of wincing.

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