SPOLETO BUZZ BLOG

I had no idea going into Tuesday night’s Scheer and McBrayer show that Paul Scheer is the kinda-strange-looking, gap-toothed guy who makes pithy comments on any of VH1’s endless “I Love The …” and “Best Week Ever” shows. So it would be safe to say that when I realized this, I did a bit of inner groaning (never thought he was one of the funniest commentators). However, I was swiftly proven wrong once he and Jack McBrayer launched into their almost nonstop-hilarious 45-minute improv set at the American Theatre. Scheer’s portrayals of numerous characters in one skit (including a wonderfully-accented Kelly Clarkson imitation) were totally unexpected and quite a treat. Like many of today’s young comedians, they’ve figured out that a little office humor goes a long way; McBrayer’s portrayal of your typical 20-something “dude” at the office and Scheer’s 40-something guy realizing he’s wasting his life away (trust me, it was funny) earned enthusiastic (and empathetic?) claps from the audience. These two make a great comedy team, with McBrayer’s Everyguy adorableness providing a perfect foil for Scheer’s more eccentric vibe. Two thumbs up, see them before you make an ass out of yourself trying to figure out how you know Scheer (”Hey, did you work at the Dairy Queen in Fayetteville or somethin’? I SWEAR I’ve seen you before…”)

Bill Davis and I had words about his review of the Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players, in which he panned their Thurs., June 2 show. I went to see the Trachtenburgs on Saturday afternoon, and despite a few technical glitches that seemed to plague them throughout their run at the festival, I was highly amused and entertained the whole time. Jason, the dad, was effortlessly funny and cute in his nebbishness, and Rachel, the 11-year-old drummer/daughter, ably handled the drums AND singing harmony in her tiny child’s voice. The slides were funny and the stories Jason told added that extra zing to the proceedings. I’ll definitely be seeing the Trachtenburgs again the next time they come through town, technical problems be damned!

–Sara Miller