It’s hard to pin down what lies behind Doug Benson’s unique slacker mystique – his deadpan delivery? His sh**-eating grin between jokes?
Benson’s charm might also have to do with how cleverly he walks the line between stoner space cadet and school-yo-ass.
The comedian describes his Comedy Central show, The Benson Interruption, as “a bouillabaisse of fun and awkwardness” — so true.
On the program, he sits in a plush, upright chair at stage left while a stand-up comic attempts to perform a routine, which he interrupts surreptitiously. He asks questions, commiserates and adds his own material, but doesn’t undermine the act (though it would be so easy). The result is a friendly and sometimes smart-ass exchange with random hilarity. They even compete in a "Tweet-off."
Benson also starred in Super High Me, the 2007 herb-infused riff on Morgan Spurlock’s famous McDocumentary, and has been a regular on VH-1’s The Best Week Ever. He also currently hosts the Doug Loves Movies podcast, recorded live at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater. Dec. 9-11 at the Tampa Improv, 1600 E. Eighth Ave., Tampa; show times 8 p.m. Thurs., 8 and 10:30 p.m. Fri., 7:30 and 10 p.m. Sat. and 7 p.m. Sun. $16-$18. improvtampa.com.
’Tis the season for religion spoofs, and now it’s the turn of Tampa Bay’s favorite controversial belief system and property purveyors. Yes, folks, we’re talking about the big guns of Scientology, who base their spiritual headquarters in Clearwater and are the landlords of the publication you’re reading now.
American Stage’s one-hour revue A Very Merry Unauthorized Children’s Scientology Pageant begins with six children gathering on a cold winter night to rejoice in telling the story of L. Ron Hubbard during their holiday pageant. Variety calls the pageant “equal parts adorable and creepy, hilarious and unsettling, making it way more compelling than your average holiday entertainment.” The show introduces audiences to the tenets of Scientology and its creator in musical form, including special appearances by many of Scientology’s celebrity practitioners as puppets and the possible arrival of the almighty Xenu himself. Says American Stage: “See why the president of the Church of Scientology tried to shut this play down (before we get closed down).” Pictured are cast members Alison Lea Bender, Jared Porter and Stephen Ray. Dec. 9 thru 22 at American Stage Theatre Company, 163 Third St. N., St. Petersburg, as part of the theater’s After Hours Series. For tickets, call 727-823-7529 or americanstage.org.—JG
This article appears in Dec 2-8, 2010.