8- The Michigan Daily - Tuesday, April 15, 1997

'Viva Variety' brings fresh fun to Comedy Central

By Julia Ship
Daily Arts Writer
Dey talk like dees, but these comic
sensations aren't from Eurrrrrrrrope.
Complete with rolled r's and funky
accents, outrageous acts, awesome
musical guests and an abundance of
hilarity, "The
World's No. I
Variety Show,"
"Viva Variety"
makes an impres-
sive° debut on C
Comedy Central.
Based in New
York, the show is loosely structured
after & typical European variety show,
with a mess of entertaining components
and, a .couple of kooky hosts. "Viva
Variety" stars Thomas Lennon, Michael
Ian Black and Kerri Kenney, former

.E
Cc

members of the sketch comedy troupe
"The State" with another former mem-
ber, Ben Garant contributing a great
deal behind the scenes.
Lennon plays the eccentric host Mr.
Laupin, who still lusts after his co-host
and ex-wife, the former Mrs. Laupin
(Kenney). They are
assisted by their
lounge-singing,
Viva Variety vinyl-suit-wearing
and dim-witted
omedy Central sidekick Johnny
Tuesdays at 1o p.m. Blue Jeans (Black).
Together, they carry
the show to the highest comedic level.
"Viva Variety" successfully blends
the various acts on the show for an
entertaining mixture so that you never
know what to expect from one moment
Ito the next. Whether you like the sick

and twisted, the funny and absurd, or
enjoy good wholesome live music, this
outrageous program is guaranteed to
have something for everyone.
If you thought the trailers were funny,
then you haven't seen anything yet.
After watching the debut episode, audi-
ences around the world now know that
they can expect top-quality from "Viva
Variety." From a round of the game
show "Sir Pants or Not?" where an
audience member guesses if three
celebrity look-alikes (Paul McCartney,
Fidel Castro and Woody Allen) are
wearing pants, to a video clip of
"Monkeysportz" which has Johnny
Blue Jeans judge a competition
between Olympic gymnast Christy
Phillips and a monkey, the zany fun
never stops.
And with a performance by the musi-

cal sensation Shudder to Think acting
as the icing on this gourmet cake, "Viva
Variety" proves itself to be one of the
freshest and most charming shows on
television.
The only thing better than the acts
would be the series regulars themselves.
The wacky interaction between the two
hosts and their sidekick is reminiscent
of the crazy humor that used to perme-
ate "The State" episodes. Whether it is
putdowns on each other, verbal puns, or
having Johnny Blue Jeans do his own
thing (such as performing in a mall for a
listless, elderly audience), there is never
a dull moment on this comedy show.
So grab your Depends and a good
tank of oxygen, because with "Viva
Variety," you'll laugh. You'll laugh 'til
you cry. And in the end, you too will be
shouting ecstatically, "Viva variety!"

Kenney star in "Viva VarIety."

Michael Black, Thomas Lennon and Kern


GRADUATION,


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Great Performance
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Interview After Interview
Working Two Jobs
Living Back With Parents
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MUSIC
Continued from Page 5
presented by the Musical Theater
Department has been a professional'
experience, showcasing the awesome
talent that happens to define the stu-
dents at this University. Even "The
Mystery of Edwin Drood," the autumr@
Musical from _ the earlier part of this
season, proved to be such an example
- with a large cast of talented individ-
uals. "The Music Man" features a large
cast of more than 25 performers.
"The Music Man" is presented by
University Productions through the
Musical Theater Department of the
School of Music.
Because most of the department's
shows are highly popular witl
University audiences, all tickets are
usually sold in advance of opening
night. Such is the case with "The Music
Man"
While all of the tickets for every
scheduled performance sold out a few
weeks ago, the decision was made to
open up Wednesday's dress rehearsal to
an audience. This means that if you
want to see the show, and don't have a
ticket, then Wednesday will be you@
only opportunity to witness this excel-
lent production.
Tickets for the Wednesday dress
rehearsal at 8 p.m. are $5 and are
available at the Michigan League
Ticket Ofice, 764-0450.
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