Mar 302011
Comedy – Pop Culture
Created by Cracked.com
Starring
- Daniel O’Brien
- Michael Swaim
- Soren Bowie
- Katie Willert
Synopsis: Some of Cracked.com’s finest writers examine artifacts from pop culture, to distill life lessons and hard truths.
Review:
The gang behind some of the funniest articles and strangest videos of Cracked.com gather in a diner to tell you the horrible truths behind cereal mascots, The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Back to the Future.
The entirety of the series takes place in the diner, save for the occasional tag that may exit for a quick punchline. Some of the headier ideas are supported by simple graphics and charts, but the entirety of the show is forward and to the point. Each episode consists of the four comedians talking. Someone may stand up at some point, but that’s for saucier episodes. If that sounds boring, I direct your attention to such sitcom staples as That 70’s Show’s circle, the girls of Sex and the City gathering in a chic diner to discuss their latest exploits (yes, I’ve seen my fair share of Sex and the City, and for those curious, I’m a Charlotte), or the bar from Cheers. After Hours never overstays its welcome, and despite the static set, the characters are active.
When I say active, I don’t mean they’re fighting conflict to save the girl or get a job. Each character is an active participant in the dialogue: the exchanges are fast and witty, and the banter is always relevant, and almost every line is either informative, funny, or a combination thereof.
One of my biggest complaints about web-series is that they often have non-actors in roles that demand a certain command of the screen. After Hours sidesteps this issue by having each comedian play themselves to discuss their ideas. A simple solution, but one that demands an interesting and intelligent person to fulfill it. Luckily, the crew of After Hours perform. Without knowing how each show is composed, I don’t doubt that the ideas come from the characters onscreen. The script is organic and, most importantly, everyone earns their place.
It’s a simple premise in a simple setting, but the jokes are never cheap and the ideas – based on the bubbly aspects of pop culture – are well thought out and genuinely insightful.
After Hours is my favorite web series at the moment, and well worth your time if you have any interest in comedy or pop culture. My biggest complaint is the difficult to discern release schedule for new episodes, but it only bothers me because I’m constantly craving more.
4.5/5
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