On the scene: El Show at iO
Midnight shows are perfectly slotted to become cult phenomenons (After all, how many underground sensations happen at lunchtime?). If given the chance, iO’s latest late night talk show endeavor, El Show with Alex Moffat which is directed by Clyde Christopher, could become just that. As Nancy Franklin pointed out in a discussion in this week’s issue of the New Yorker regarding the Leno vs. O’Brien flap, NBC pulled the plug on O’Brien way too soon. Sure it may have been a ratings clunker in comparison to Letterman, but remember how poorly Leno was performing until July 10, 1995 when he called out Hugh Grant on his sex scandal by uttering those four famous words, “What were you thinking?” The comparison of course is that El Show is just a few exhilarating gags away from success.
El Show vaunts a mixture of live music, variety, stand-up, improv, sketch and interview. Last Friday’s show featured a sit-down with Cook County Social Club’s very funny Brendan Jennings (who recently joined the Second City e.t.c. cast) as well as improvising musical duo Kate and Mike, currently in the middle of a run at Donny’s Skybox. It began with with a short sketch, a parody of the film Groundhog Day in which host Alex Moffat and crew are doomed to ask the question, will the show be renewed for a second season (a timely one given that its run is slated to end on February 19).
The show wasn’t perfect. It was too heavy on showcasing improvisers and improvisation. Given that it’s a variety show it should have—variety. Guests Kate and Mike weren’t able to successfully pull off the gimmick of creating an entire musical in just five minutes (although I’ve seen them fare better with their typical 30-minute format) and Jennings has far funnier tricks up his sleeve then the mediocre sketch he peddled here. Also, because Improvised Shakespeare Company ran late, El Show didn’t actually start until well past midnight (ugh).
But I have to admit, the crew assembled for this endeavor are mighty likable. Moffat’s maroon blazer and matching bow tie, coupled with the pearly whites he flashes occasionally from underneath his perfectly groomed mustache, suggest vintage Vegas, an aging showman, a slimeball grasping at a second chance to play ringmaster. Surprisingly, Moffat plays the part totally opposite. Unlike Jordan Klepper, who spoofed the talk show genre by adding just the right amount of smarm, artifice and cluelessness to the Late Night Late Show, iO’s previous talk show endeavor, Moffat couldn’t be more earnest—and it works. He gushes openly at the chance to improvise with guest Jennings (without coming across as a sycophant), stays away from the self-deprecating humor that defines Conan and if you watch him carefully, his eyes widen and his eyebrows twitch when he’s thoroughly engaged. He likewise has a fine supporting cast including Rob Grabowski in the Andy Richter role, the likable Stephanie McCullough on piano and even a live vocalist who sings, “Check out the balls on this guy!” as part of the opening jingle. I think the balls in question are the ones Moffat has to juggle to give El Show the legs it needs for a successful run. But if iO doesn’t renew El Show past February, I hear there’s a slot open on NBC.
