Nick Kroll Beats The Dead Comedy Horse in “Kroll Show”
Nick Kroll is an American actor and comedian, who is usually recognized for his role as Ruxin on FX’s The League; and he has just been handed the greatest gift and curse a comedic actor could receive; his own sketch comedy show. Comedy Central is the network viewers’ run to when they need to laugh after a long day of drama, bad luck and working at the job you hate. Viewers plop down in front of their television set, wanting to laugh, whether at a scripted network show or at a hilarious comedic special. So, if you are a Comedy Central fan, wanting a laugh, then I wouldn’t necessarily put all your eggs in the Kroll Show comedic basket.
In comedy, there are some things that work and then there are some things that don’t work, sometimes it is defining this very thin line that can take an individual from roars of laughter to crickets. Sadly, Nick Kroll struggles with defining this comedic line throughout his sketch comedy show.
Opening skit and opening monologue, from my experience, hold a lot of power over the proceeding show. The opening skit for your first show will define you as funny or not, but the jokes in the opening monologue of your first show will show the viewers your true talent. Nick Kroll, on two occasions, dropped the ball for the opening. His monologue is a gateway for his comedic ability to shine for all of the viewers, and his “women v. men” themed joke was something I’ve heard before from many amateur comics, and ultimately, not funny.
I then found, while watching his show, there are some things that work; although they were rare, they were hilarious, but then they became drawn out and unfunny, thus moving them to the “things that don’t work” category. He uses overdone skit plots and tries to make them funny, but fails. He has a “dumb blonde” reality television show, he has a “rich family” reality television spin-off, he has a “truth about guys” mini-segment, he has a “bratty and bored rich guys” segment, and even a “new kid in school” skit. While Kroll does attempt to put his spin on these traditional, and overused skits, they’re too overdone and too typical for them to get the laughter a new comedy show needs.
Nick Kroll should take time to work on new material, that sets him apart from every other sketch comedy show, he should do something daring, something unique, but most importantly SOMETHING FUNNY. He has a hilarious cast behind him, he has a great network behind him, all he needs is to bring the new age comedy, hard hitting jokes, well written opening monologues, funny skits and he will have one of the greatest sketch comedy shows that are currently on air. The Kroll Show can only go up from here, and I hope it does.
Kroll Show is an eight-episode sketch comedy show that premieres on Comedy Central, Wednesday, January 16th. Please watch, and let me know what you think.
foff
January 17, 2013 at 6:24 pm
i watched this last night and i wanted to shove my ears inside of my own ass to escape it
Vinsanity
March 4, 2013 at 1:10 pm
Its true, i tried twice on two different episodes but come on hes the same dude every segment with a annoying accents that usually sound the same. The show is just as bad as mencia i hope it doesnt last so they can put something else on.
Rocky
January 30, 2013 at 11:41 am
yea, rarely there is a show on comedy central that will make me turn the channel. Even that “it’s fluffy” guy grew a little on me but im sorry this kroll show sucks big time and i refuse to watch it played out skits.. 🙁
disqus_XM4AordL4H
February 2, 2013 at 4:45 pm
This show blows. No way it’ll be around for a second season.
tuffasagong
March 28, 2013 at 11:17 pm
It is a poor attempt at the Ali G show, this guy sucks big time.
Getting it.
April 29, 2013 at 3:55 pm
I think you’re not quite getting it. Nick Kroll is 35, (not a teen), graduated from Georgetown, and is literally making fun of average people. The show might not last because his humor appeals to fans in the 95% percentile. So yes, you’re right, 5% will not keep a show on the air.
jouh
November 17, 2013 at 3:26 pm
Nick Kroll doesn’t need talent. His father Jules can buy him anything and he isn’t ashamed to call upon his fathers massive power to get Nick anything Nick wants. In his defense, Nick is an awesome friend. When Tig Notaro messed up and defamed a more talented comedian, Nick stepped in and destroyed the defamed party. Jules Kroll owns the world, practically. He can get you jailed, and even murdered if it advances his comedy ambitions. He will set it up so Holocaust survivors are terrorized and left broke and sick if it is neccessary for his happpiness.
trk387
January 14, 2014 at 12:45 am
I just posted a comment and most likely the reporter of this piece will not publish it. That being said, the IRONIC thing is? I want to FUCKING help people! and I am DESPISED for it! and its really beginning to piss me the fuck off! lol trk387
trk387
January 14, 2014 at 4:34 pm
To the REPORTER: why did you delete my post? where I gave my channel? You fucking media will do EVERY THING in your power to STOP anyone from looking at me! You are so fucking PETRIFIED of me!!! your FEAR? is JUSTIFIED! I will NEVER post on this paper EVER again! trk387