Funniest Wins on TBS

Buried on Friday nights on TBS, "Funniest Wins" is a new reality comedy competition show. It reminds me of the original season of Last Comic Standing, back in the day when they had challenges and not just a series of stand-up routines. I like the host, Marlon Wayans, and his guest judges look like an interesting assortment to come.



The first episode aired this past Friday. They had a stand-up challenge on the top of a double-decker bus for random passengers -- which Last Comic Standing also did their first season -- and the edit made it clear who was bombing, but I think their full routines were trimmed for the show. The second challenge paired the comics up to make "digital video shorts" from scratch in less than a day, including edit time. (They were given staff videographers and editors, which does level the playing field.) The candid reality clips of them during the working process had some lines which were more naturally funny than their staged skits.



The judging was fair and their comments were constructive and insightful. Comedy is subjective, but they have a studio audience to help determine the winners and losers. Overall, I agree with the way they ranked the contestants this week -- unlike Last Comic Standing where I yell at the fools for the assortment chosen in the semi-finals.