Michael Hatchett
A&E Editor
When TV fans talk about late-night talk shows, the names most often thrown into the conversation are Fallon, Meyers, Kimmel, Colbert and Conan. Unfortunately, one name has been left out for too long and that belongs to Chris Gethard. Gethard, a stand-up comedian and improviser who has appeared on Broad City, The Office, Parks & Rec and Inside Amy Schumer, has long been an underground darling of the comedy scene. His recent podcast Beautiful Stories From Anonymous People, which comedy website Splitsider called “the most refreshing new comedy podcast in ages” debuted on the Earwolf podcast network a month ago. His legacy was also built by his public access variety show, The Chris Gethard Show, which aired on the Manhattan Neighborhood Network for four years.
Last year, his show was picked up by cable channel Fusion and the first official non-public access season of TCGS was produced. The result was a hilarious, honest talk show that Flavorwire called “the ultimate underdog of television” and The New York Times called “an often riveting experiment in seat-of-your-pants broadcasting.” The show is structured like a regular late-night talk show: a guest, a musical performance and pre-taped video segments. However, TCGS is notable for its relationship with its viewers. A main component of the show is telephone and Skype calls from fans of the show who are encouraged by Gethard to share their experiences with the show’s topic.
Last week, the first episode of the second season of TCGS was released. As much as I enjoyed the first season of TCGS, I will say it seemed to be missing a little bit of the chaotic charm that was so present during its public access days. The second season of TCGS does not have that problem. It’s chaotic, brilliant, empathetic, kind, honest and undoubtedly hilarious. The show also benefits from the fact that the episodes have been expanded to 43 minutes from the previous season’s length of 22 minutes. This allows the show more room to breathe and more time for Gethard to interact with his guests.
The first episode, starring legendary comedian Colin Quinn and avant-garde rapper Kool Keith, tries to help callers (via telephone and Skype) who want to quit their jobs (fun fact: their first caller is Wooster alum Mamoudou N’Diaye ’14!). The next bit is also classic TCGS as it has to be cut short because Gethard is informed that the bit is “terrifically illegal.”
Another great addition to the second season of TCGS is the return of improvised characters who interrupt the show to harass Gethard and his friends. The first episode features an Auntie Anne’s manager named Lawrence who tries to convince one of Gethard’s cast members to come back to work. It sounds strange and it certainly is, but the eccentricity is infectious and you’ll find yourself laughing more than you thought you would.
That said, highlight of the first episode is easily a segment called “The Fuck Chain” which the less you know about the better. However, I will say that it represents Gethard and his show at its best — it’s honest, spontaneous and legitimately hilarious.
At the end of the day, it’s difficult to describe TCGS. My father called it “Peewee’s Playhouse for depressed teenagers” and in the latest episode, Gethard himself refers to it as an “alt-comedy nightmare.” However one chooses to describe TCGS, there is no doubting how fearlessly brilliant it is. Gethard is not concerned with playing charades with celebrities nor producing viral videos for the front page of YouTube. He is only concerned with making people laugh, cry and feel like they aren’t alone. The world needs more of people like him.
The Chris Gethard Show airs on Fusion on Wednesdays at 10 pm EST. Episodes are also posted to YouTube immedaitely after they air.