Favorite Panel Members

[formerlyfreedom]

I've been sucked into watching this show way too much, and I blame the panelists!

My favorites* are Ron Funches (who was in the Enlisted premiere! I'm really hoping we get to see Pvt. Huggins again!), Tom Lennon, Kumail Nanjiani, and Natasha Leggero.

There's no rhyme or reason for who I like to watch; but I do know if I see Ron Funches is going to be on, I'll blow past my bedtime and stay up way to late. Tom Lennon is an exec producer, and I'm sure it was his connections that got us the State reunion in January. Kumail is hysterical, love his sly wit; and for some reason, Natasha makes me giggle; I think she's just so willing to go to inappropriate places, and that pleases me.

Anyone else?

*I reserve the right to add/subtract/modify this list at any time.

[April Bloodgate]

We have very similar tastes. Ron, Tom, and Kumail are three of my favorites. I enjoy Sklar Bros., Paul F. Thompkins, and Doug Benson in general, so I like them on the show, but I don't know that they excel. 

[EricJ]

I agree with both of you, and I'd like to add in that Weird Al was awesome as well.

On a recent Nerdist podcast, Matt Mira said that they're looking into a second-screen experience, and his idea was to just have a camera isolated on Doug Benson through the entire podcast.

I do wish they could have had a full "Original UCB" reunion last night like they had for The State. I mean, what's Amy Pohler doing these days anyway?

Has John Hodgeman been on yet? I'd love to see him as a guest.

[April Bloodgate]

A screen on Benson the whole time would be fantastic. Is it just me, or does he seem way higher on @Midnight than on Doug Loves Movies?

Hodgman was on once and was pretty good.

[EricJ]

Well, on DLM, Doug's got responsibilities, and has gotten pretty good at modulating how high (or drunk) he can get before he risks the show turning into an out-of-control trainwreck. On @Midnight, I think he may be aiming to see just how high he can get and still function enough that the episode is usable.

I do wish that there was a way to get some of the CBB/DLM characters on @Midnight, like "Werner Herzog" or the recent, fantastic "Mark Wahlburg."

[formerlyfreedom]

Now that they have reunited (most of) The State and UCB, any wishes for other reunions? I'm going to have to give it some thought, my first impetuous wish would be Kids in the Hall...

[Monty]

I agree with the people who've mentioned Ron Funches. I didn't know much about him before this show, and I find him very charming. And I'll watch anything with Paul F. Tompkins.

I thought there were interesting differences between the State reunion and the UCB reunion. Apparently the State is built around people refusing to laugh at each other's jokes unless they're really, really funny, and that really came through at the end, where none of the judging members cracked a smile for the final FTW entries. But the UCB is all about saying yes to each other, and as a result, that episode had people building on each other's jokes and even doing callbacks like they were doing an improv show.

I might be imagining some of this.

[April Bloodgate]

@EricJ, "Mark Wahlberg" was really funny, which I didn't expect. Also, very good points re: Doug on the two shows.

Edited February 21, 2014 by Denay

[kjh]

I went to high school with Grace Helbig and watched the episodes she was on out of curiosity, and I was pleasantly surprised by how funny she was.

[formerlyfreedom]

So tonight is a Community-themed episode - I have high hopes, Jim Rash, Danny Pudi, and Gillian Jacobs.

Edited to add - so it was a fairly low scoring game, but there was obvious affection between the three panelists. I was impressed with Gillian Jacob, and Jim Rash was quite awesome (see: Oscars/Angelina's Leg as reference). I'm so used to Danny Pudi as Abed that it was nice to see him 'do Abed' for a minute, but I quite honestly enjoyed seeing him as himself, and not his character.

My pick for favorite here would be Jim Rash, with Danny edging Gillian, but JUST barely...

Edited February 26, 2014 by stacey

[EricJ]

I certainly laughed out loud at a bunch of stuff, but Gillian had a bit of "look at me, I'm so cute when I'm being spontaneous and dirty" going on at times, which kind of bugged me.

[April Bloodgate]

So tonight is a Community-themed episode - I have high hopes, Jim Rash, Danny Pudi, and Gillian Jacobs.

Edited to add - so it was a fairly low scoring game, but there was obvious affection between the three panelists. I was impressed with Gillian Jacob, and Jim Rash was quite awesome (see: Oscars/Angelina's Leg as reference). I'm so used to Danny Pudi as Abed that it was nice to see him 'do Abed' for a minute, but I quite honestly enjoyed seeing him as himself, and not his character.

My pick for favorite here would be Jim Rash, with Danny edging Gillian, but JUST barely...

Oooohhh! I'm so excited to watch this one now. :)

[April Bloodgate]

Danny was so great! Funny and adorable.

[sevans623]

Kristen Schall has cracked me up since Flight of the Conchords, I thought she did a pretty decent job.  I hope they get the chance to have her on again soon.  

[Monty]

I like any theme night. The State, UCB, the guys from the Nerdist -- even the women that made Camp Takota, even though I've barely heard of them, were fun because they had a built-in rapport.

[formerlyfreedom]

I like any theme night. The State, UCB, the guys from the Nerdist -- even the women that made Camp Takota, even though I've barely heard of them, were fun because they had a built-in rapport.

I have to agree, a lot of times I don't even realize that there's a 'theme' going on until after the fact, but I do notice that there's some great chemistry going on between the panelists.

That said, I'm really bummed that Ron Funches hasn't shown up since I declared my adoration for him. I'm starting to think I jinxed it. Please come back, Ron Funches!

[EricJ]

Listening to How Did This Get Made today I realized that those three would be a perfect theme panel: June Diane Raphael, Jason Matnzoukas and Paul Scheer.

[Iheartdoctorwho]

I just adore watching Chris Hardwich.  I notice how his eyes shine with the light hits them!!

My favorite panelist so far was Wil Wheaton when he was on with Jonah and Matt.  I listen to the Nerdist podcast daily so its cool to see these folks on the tv too.

[Kromm]

I've occasionally be surprised by some of the non-comedians.  Don't know if they were "prepped" in any way, or if the show has been really luck with them actually being funny.  For example, I never actually expected Chris Jericho to be funny.  I DID expect Weird Al to be, but was still surprised they had him on.  Dominic Monaghan was even more of a revelation than Chris Jericho.  He was just spot on.

Others... hmm. I agree with the person who nominated Ron Funches as one of the best, and also Paul F. Thompkins (one of the best reasons to miss Best Week Ever).  Nikki Glaser surprised me with how funny she is--a great dry wit.  Michael Ian Black has always been one of my faves off this show--I didn't think he was totally on point when they had him on with the rest of The State cast, but they need him back on his own. 

Hannibal Buress was great too.  Doug Benson of course, although I think I need a rest from him now.  

Wil Wheaton worked well mostly because of his close relationship with Hardwick.  A lot of it was kind inside humor though, which people who have seen various videos and appearances with the two of them over the years would get more than the casual TV viewer.  

Edited March 28, 2014 by Kromm

[Kromm]

I created a new topic called "Panel Wish List" as a kind of inverse to this topic.  Here seems to be about people who have appeared who we loved, and there is for speculation/suggestions of people who HAVEN'T appeared on @Midnight that we'd love to see.

Panel Wish List topic

[formerlyfreedom]

I've occasionally be surprised by some of the non-comedians.  Don't know if they were "prepped" in any way, or if the show has been really luck with them actually being funny.  For example, I never actually expected Chris Jericho to be funny.  I DID expect Weird Al to be, but was still surprised they had him on.  Dominic Monaghan was even more of a revelation than Chris Jericho.  He was just spot on.

Others... hmm. I agree with the person who nominated Ron Funches as one of the best, and also Paul F. Thompkins (one of the best reasons to miss Best Week Ever).  Nikki Glaser surprised me with how funny she is--a great dry wit.  Michael Ian Black has always been one of my faves off this show--I didn't think he was totally on point when they had him on with the rest of The State cast, but they need him back on his own. 

Hannibal Buress was great too.  Doug Benson of course, although I think I need a rest from him now.  

Wil Wheaton worked well mostly because of his close relationship with Hardwick.  A lot of it was kind inside humor though, which people who have seen various videos and appearances with the two of them over the years would get more than the casual TV viewer.  

Good points - Chris Jericho WAS hysterical. Thumbs up on Hannibal Buress, and yes, I'm in need of a break from Doug Benson's stoner routine.

People had been asking Wil Wheaton if he would be on the show on Twitter and his Tumblr when it first came on, and he was hesitant, he felt that he couldn't play at the same speed as professional comedians. I think that episode was a perfect blend, because the timing was slower, and they all know each other well.

[Kromm]

I really enjoyed Greg Proops on the episode I just saw.  Heck, even his NAME has always cracked me up.

[LJonEarth]

I've really enjoyed Ron Funches. He seems to be having so much fun up there, giggling at his own jokes.

And Hannibal Buress and Doug Benson make it look effortless. The angle of their jokes always surprise me, especially since Doug is probably working in an altered state.

[formerlyfreedom]

Ron Funches is showing up tomorrow night! YAY!

[fastiller]

Funches!  He's FUN in BUNCHES!

I really like his laugh; it's quite infectious.

Edited April 9, 2014 by fastiller

[Crystal]

I didn't know much about Hannibal Burress until I saw him on the show, but I thought he was hilarious. I always love Greg Proops, and I'd love to see a Who's Line panel, if there hasn't been one already.

[bilgistic]

Hannibal has a comedy special, Hannibal Buress: Animal Furnace (because it rhymes, sort of?), that ran on Comedy Central. I don't see it on Netflix, but it's good stuff. If you happen to find it, it's worth watching!

Edited May 3, 2014 by bilgistic

[Kromm]

Glass/Glazer/Gaffigan was a great trio!  The day before, Rove McManus was great too.

 

All of them can come back!!!

[formerlyfreedom]

Ron Funches is back tomorrow night! YAY!

[formerlyfreedom]

And Ron Funches is on Undateable! I'll watch it just for him!

[bilgistic]

And Ron Funches is on Undateable! I'll watch it just for him!

It was so, so, so bad. I don't think I made it through the whole show. No even for the Funches.

[Demented Daisy]

I think my ultimate panel would be Greg Proops, Tom Lennon, and either Ron Funches or Natasha Leggero.

[Kromm]

I think my ultimate panel would be Greg Proops, Tom Lennon, and either Ron Funches or Natasha Leggero.

I'd go for some totally wacky combo, like Funches, Weird Al, and Nikki Glaser.

[Demented Daisy]

Oh, I forgot about Weird Al.  That would be awesome as well.  

 

Okay, someone might need to bring back the Match Game so we can get all these people on the same show. 

[bilgistic]

And the theme song! I love the Match Game theme!

[raidergirl3]

Match Game is on (in Canada on the Comedy Channel)

[Kromm]

Kristin Schaal is love.  Her last appearance was freaking fantastic (and Nick Thune was pretty great too).

[cmahorror]

Funches, Werd Al and Nikki Glaser or Tom Lennin would be great.

 

I wonder if Tom might be able to get Matthew Perry on since they are working together on The Odd Couple. In most of the interviews I have seen he is very quick and on his game. One of my favorites was during a hockey game. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWyeNxo-iKw

[giovannif7]

From the closing moments of Undateable episode 11 - a live-action prototype for the Tickle Me Ron Funches doll (check the linked clip to hear the giggling):

Edited July 6, 2014 by giovannif7

[Kromm]

Funches, Proops, Thompkins.  A ton of my fave list is back in the next few weeks (and Nikki Glaser was just around too).

[fastiller]

Everytime Isee the new Android ad with Kiss in it, I wonder if Funches is also in it.  The poor guy who drops his phone really remindes me of him.

[weightyghost]

The episode with Grace, Mamrie Hart, and Hannah Hart will always be my favourite so those three ladies get me super excited when they're on. 

 

I keep thinking one of these days I'll tire of Funches but then he giggles and all is right in the world. 

[Mindymoo]

Ron Funches, Rhys Darby, Tim Minchin (even though he was only on once), Paul F. Thompkins, Scott Aukerman, Tom Lennon, Greg Proops and Hannibal Burress.

 

My least favorite panelists are Whitney Cummings and Chris D'elia. Those two can stay off my screen permanently.

[Princess Sparkle]

My least favorite panelists are Whitney Cummings and Chris D'elia. Those two can stay off my screen permanently.

I cringe every time Chris D'Elia is on. Chris D'Elia definitely thinks Chris D'Elia is the funniest person in the world.

[Monty]

I'm surprised to have arrived at this opinion, but I think Drew Carey is an excellent panelist and I always enjoy him. It's not just the way he acts like he's working out his answers while he gives them, although his selling ability is certainly part of it. But I also like that he's bringing his Whose Line tendency to laugh at people's jokes. He seems delighted at everyone else's answers, which is something I appreciate. He's not pulling focus, but he's doing a solid supporting job even when he's not in the spotlight. Good job, Drew!

[Kromm]

We have very similar tastes. Ron, Tom, and Kumail are three of my favorites. I enjoy Sklar Bros., Paul F. Thompkins, and Doug Benson in general, so I like them on the show, but I don't know that they excel. 

I'd have to remove the Sklars from that list. I'm very tired on them on this show and don't care to see them again (or at least give them about 6 months off).

[fastiller]

It wasn't unitl last night, when I watched the Monday episode on my DVR, that I realized how much I've missed Funches's laugh.  It really is infectious!

[ABay]

Paget Brewster didn't bring much to the party overall but "Where will you be when your laxative kicks in" was one of my favorite lines of the night.

[Monty]

I think she was too busy laughing. I can't really criticize her for that. I did very much enjoy her and Paul doing the "Clink!" from Thrilling Adventure Hour.

 

Also, right at the end, after PFT had won, Chris told Tom Lennon that he came close to winning. And Tom just shook his head to indicate that he didn't really have a chance.

[BeatLA24]

I think between the Thug Life/Hug Life reactions, and his Price Is Right eBay run, Paul Scheer is getting up there for me. I just like how much fun he has when he's on.