Summer TV sampler: ABC's 'The Next Best Thing'
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Among the truly dizzying array of unscripted shows being thrown against your TV screen this offseason is a truly strange little show in the talent-contest subgenre: ABC's The Next Best Thing.
Its goal is not to find a singing star or a comedian or anything that could potentially lead to household name-type fame. It's really, truly looking for the next best thing -- a top-notch celebrity impersonator. Not just a look-alike or an impressionist, mind you, but someone who can really sell the idea that they're someone else.
And so Wednesday's premiere -- which aptly selected as its venue Grauman's Chinese Theater in L.A., home to occasionally punchy costumed hustlers dressed like Batman or Chewbacca or Elmo -- featured the spectacle of a fake George Michael singing a Little Richard song; a Superman lookalike who doesn't really do anything; a guy doing a Bill Cosby impression that was more like an impression of Eddie Murphy's impression of Bill Cosby; a Dr. Phil lookalike coming across like a Borscht Belt comic; and a pair of Dolly Partons who composed a rap about their act. Oof.
Host Michele Merkin (who? Oh, her) is around primarily to introduce the concept (in a truly snore-inducing opening) and hug a few contestants who get a ticket to the next round, courtesy of a trio of comedian-judges: Lisa Ann Walter, Comedy Central roast mainstay Jeffrey Ross and "master impressionist" (and Stacked star) Elon Gold, who showed off a pretty decent Johnny Carson, an exaggerated Jay Leno and a passable Al Gore in the course of the hour.
You get the feeling, watching the premiere, that a good half of the contestants are people whose friends have said, "Dude! You really look like/do a killer Celebrity X. You should totally go on that show." Several others mentioned having done a given celeb in their improv classes, and a few really take their celebrity mimickry seriously.
Like the truly good Lucille Ball impersonator who said she has about $30,000 worth(!) of costumes on hand, or Curtis Bettenheim and Joe Heintzelman (that's them up top), who've been honing their Honeymooners schtick for a dozen years. And, yeah, they were about the best performers of the night.
Part of me wanted to know a lot more about those folks -- what do they get out of copying a famous person's mannerisms and speech patterns? How much work is there in such a racket? And why would you drop 30 grand on Lucy costumes?
Is a celebrity-impersonator contest the stuff of a six- or eight-week reality show? Truthfully, probably not. The stakes are pretty low here -- though a $100,000 grand prize is nothing to sneeze at -- and even the judges, who are at least occasionally amusing, don't seem to be taking it all that seriously. But I bet a look inside that world would make a pretty good documentary.
Anyone watch this last night? And if so, what'd you think? Planning to keep watching?
I watched the show and found it entertaining and amusing. It's kind of like a car wreck, you don't want to stop and look, but you can't help yourself. Overall, this is the type of show I would pay no attention to in the fall, but it does make for some mindless summer viewing.
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DATE: 06/02/2007 08:24:32 AM
i thought it was great. I am definetly watching it all.
I don't know who has more time in summer than fall, but certainly not me, JohnD. Anyway, I was blown away by the precision of celebrity impersonation I saw on that show - it was far beyond what I ever imagined. I didn't know anyone could look and sound and move EXACTLY like George Bush, Jack Nicholson, Lucy, Jack Benny, or sing just EXACTLY like Celine Dion or Cher until last Wednesday. And I laughed my tail off. I will be watching until the bitter end, I can't imagine what we'll see next!!!
Very interesting show!
Lots of laughs and some really great acts!
I'll be watching
the simon cowell guy was the absolute best.... he sounded so much like him i fell off my chair.... also jack nicolason was funny... this show is a hit
barb in bakersfield
Did an episode AIR on Wed. 6/6???
I've got DVR service and it did NOT record it tonight, but was listed to air...??? I haven't been able to find anything anywhere that says yes or no...??? I really enjoyed the show last week and don't want to miss it... help!!!
This "Reality" show is not exactly reality. They don't let you know that 100 people were picked at the first auditions and then the producers, not the judges, picked 30 of those to actually go on in the second cut. I know because I auditioned and was told I was "Going to LA", only to be told a week later that I had not made the second cut.THis wouldn't bother me except that , after seeing the first two shows I KNOW FOR A FACT that I got a much stronger and more positive judge reaction than half of the people who got through thus far. I was even told I looked, sounded and acted EXACTLY like the celebrity in question by one of the judges. There's some "influence " hanky panky going on and I'm not free to say more without betraying a confidence. Actually, when you come right down to it that IS reality!!
And what's with the judges ephasizing so often that you have to look and sound like a celebrity and then letting through a vocal impersonator that doesn't look like anyone? I had to sign something saying I didn't know anyone connected with the show -obviously not everyone was held to that standard!
Yes! Yes! I'm watching! I love to watch people with talent and their are definitely some folks on the show with talent!! These people would not have a chance to be found if this show didn't give them this opportunity. Keep it going!
Can someone PLEASE answer me???
An episode (the premiere) aired 5/30... "DID" a second one air on Wed. 6/6???
I've seen NOTHING about it, my DVR didn't record one and WAS set/scheduled to. Was it pre-empted??? Did I MISS the second episode... is this coming 6/13, the second or third??? PLEASE, someone answer... greatly appreciated!
THANKS