Standup and Away! with Brian Regan

Brian's comedy has never really evolved over the years, which is fine for the most part but it shows its age here. Especially since, as mentioned in other reviews, a lot of it is recycled material.

It was only 4 20(ish) minute episodes so it was pretty painless, but two days later and I really only remember one skit being funny. There were a few chuckles here and there, but hopefully they don't green light a second season.

If you're new to Brian's standup act, you may find this very enjoyable. Otherwise, it's a lot of recycled material. Some of the acted out bits are pretty funny, others not so much. The interaction with the "floor manager" and the audience seems forced overall. Was hoping for better.

Jerry Seinfeld is a producer and public promoter of the show, and it is quickly apparent that Regan appeals to a similar sense of humor. Adding a bit of color and bravado, he succeeds in modernizing the "Why do people..?" approach; however, this show tries to do too much.

The cutaways from live audience to sketches is reminiscent of successful comedy Key & Peele, though Regan's primary skill is in his live stand-up, not his acting, so the comedy routines dominate the show. Some of the skits featuring other people feature pretty poor acting, but this actually brings out Regan and his teams' tremendous ability to bring the routines to life. Particular actors are able to steal the show, however, and over time these figures should be used more often (think of how Key and Peele both rose to fame on MadTV).

Then there's Beth and the audience dynamic. I have no doubt Beth adds to the show and probably knows much more about producing than Brian; still, the conversations with her seem very forced. It is impossible not to think of Andy Richter on Conan, but it is possible to realize it doesn't work well here.

Overall, the experimentation with the audience will most likely work itself out, and the mix between stand-up and sketches will probably swing more towards sketches. Though this show still features more stand-up than Seinfeld ever did, the earliest Seinfeld episodes showed much more stand-up, than fully developed as David and Seinfeld improved as writers. This first season paves the way nicely for Regan, with still some things to fully figure out.

I love Brian's standup and he's great at his bits in this but the format does not work. Brian doesn't need a contrived overenthusiastic 'live/studio' audience. He's an immense talent in search of a concept and a point of difference. Greatest hits standup throwing to TV screens with sketches doesn't seem to be it. The show 'Seinfeld' successfully interspersed standup with a sitcom based on the standup. This show has Seinfeld as a producer and it is trying to intersperse standup with sketches based on the standup.

I went to check this out thinking it was a new standup special. I was intrigued to discover it was a series, then disappointed at the execution. The audience interaction and Beth banter are further unnecessary and distracting contrivances.

The standup is fine. The sketches are mostly solid. I love lap griddle and the restaurant with tables too close. But the means by which the standup and sketches are brought together is clunky. I'm sad to not be able to recommend this and, given the mass of other comedy choices to watch, won't be returning to view any future efforts should there be any.

I used to LOVE Brian. When i found him like 15 years ago, i thought he was a genius comic. His physical comedy augments his material PERFECTLY. I love that he works clean. I had gone to see Brian 5 or 6 times live in the northeast area over the years and as each visit happened, i noticed something that was clear. He was relying on decades old material on each successive event. And this was over a period of 10 years. He of course has people shout out from the audience to do these old bits, but i don't understand that. I almost thought it was plants in the audience to do it...even when they DONT shout out requests, he still does bits that he's done from the early 90's; a LOT. I ALWAYS give material he puts out a good shake. This show included. But unfortunately, it's been the same. To get me back, he needs to do a lot more recent material. That's my take.