TV 2009/2010: Attack of the Show

Attack of the Show

I had seen it a few times here and there throughout its run, but I began watching it regularly inJanuary (watching almost every ep since then). I started watching for the Around the Net feature, where five video clips are shown each day (many of which I pause during to run to the computer to find and embed in this very blog), and that’s worth the price of admission. And while the clips are normally pretty good (or bizarrely horrible), hosts Keven Pereira and Olivia Munn’s intros and outros are usually very funny.

But after I started watching a few episodes in a row, I noticed just how clever Pereira and Munn can be. They have a great chemistry and a similar attitude, so it’s fun to see their reactions to each other when either goes “off script”. Both are pretty fearless and are willing to bomb for the sake of a joke. But usually the humor works. Even Kevin, dry humping new tech devices at an electronics convention, is funnier on screen than you’d think it would be.

Aside from ATN clips and stunts, AOTS (better start learning the acronyms if you want to be a fan) features such weekly segments as “DVDuesday” where movie critic Chris Gore gives his take on that day’s new releases; “Gadget Pr0n”, with the always silly Chris Hardwick reviewing tech items; “The Loop”, where experts in a particular subject discuss the latest big news and its impact on consumers; “Epic Fail” (video clips of stunts gone awry), and “Moments on DeEvolution” (video clips of stunts purposely designed to hurt people—or at least of people doing really stupid things). And Pereira and Munn have great interviews with actors and musicians that go beyond the usual tripe you’d see on most talk shows.

While the segments are fun and/or informative enough, the real gems of the show are Pereira and Munn. Either can play the “straight man” while the other goes off on some tangent. Like I said before: great chemistry. The show itself seems to have a great feel for what’s required, so when Chris Hardwick and (my newest crush) Alison Haislip are tapped to fill in, they don’t miss a beat.

So if you dig tech, video clips, movies, and games, check out this show.  And if you can't commit to four hours a week, check out the review episodes that air on Friday.  They take the best clips and best skits, interviews, and segments of the week and squish them all together in one big hour.