The Benson Interruption

Review

Common Sense Media says

Live comedy clips with sex jokes, language, fall flat.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

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Kids say

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this collection of live comedy performances includes the typical risque stand-up comedy material, with jokes about sex (masturbation, orgies) and drinking and some swearing ("ass," "dick"; the roughest words are bleeped). The show's premise -- one comic interrupts others' performances -- is gimmicky and ultimately based on rudeness.

  • Positive messages0
    Comedy is a tough business, and comics are always looking for a way to distinguish themselves. Benson’s bit is the “interruption,” meaning that he interjects his own free-form comments into another comic’s set. It’s a novelty that wears thin fairly quickly.
  • Positive role models0
    Benson and his comedian pals seem to be having fun onstage, but when it comes down to it, he's being rude.
  • Violence0
    Not applicable.
  • Sex3
    Many sex jokes, often told with suggestive language or gestures, including references to masturbation, orgies, and the comics on the show having sex with supposed comedy groupies.
  • Language3
    Some words are bleeped, but other salty language isn't, including “nuts,” “piss,” “dick,” and “ass.”
  • Consumerism1
    All the performers are promoting their own personal brand; some are also actors who mention their TV shows and networks by name.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking2
    Some drinking references.
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What's the story?

Comic Doug Benson used to watch his friends’ stand-up routines, muttering his humorous asides to himself during the sets. Soon he realized that routine might work on stage. And so THE BENSON INTERRUPTION was born, with Benson sitting in his big, comfy armchair onstage right next to the comedian pals he has invited to perform. As they tell jokes, he interrupts whenever he sees fit, with an eye toward improving his friends’ material. (That’s the idea, anyway.) It’s a unique pairing of prepared bits and improv.

Is it any good?

 

On paper, The Benson Interruption is a fun idea. Why not riff on someone else’s comedy act the way that audiences in comedy clubs likely long to do? Still, the novelty doesn’t make this show entertaining. To be blunt: It’s different, but it’s not funny. It’s not totally Benson’s fault. His comedic guests deliver standard stand-up fare, but it’s rarely all that witty. Benson does what he can with the material, but the truth is, he doesn’t seem all that hilarious either.

Considering that the show is comprised of clips from live performances, this must be the best of the footage they collected. How bad were the jokes that ended up on the editing room floor? If this is the best they can cull, Benson’s future is, well, interrupted.

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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about stand-up comedy. What makes it challenging? Funny? Is this an innovative idea for a show? Do you think it works?

  • Do you think this show is funny? What kind of material are the comedians basing their jokes on? Do they ever rely on stereotypes? If so, why?

  • What’s the difference between using prepared material and improvising jokes on the spot? Which do you think is more difficult?

This review was written by S. Jhoanna Robledo

There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title below.
This review was written by S. Jhoanna Robledo
TV rating:TV-14
Network:Comedy Central
Cast:Doug Benson
Genre:Comedy
This review was written by S. Jhoanna Robledo
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
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