The A.V. Club's Portraits of Awesomeness #2: Scharpling & Wurster

[Jouster]

http://www.avclub.com/content/blog/portraits_of_awesomeness_2

Highly complimentary, obviously.

[Stupornaut]

Written by a man I am sometimes confused with, even. Also contains one of those rare instances, an AV Club article where I don't want to punch everyone who posts a comment to it. This in particular is superb:

Wurster calls are the heart of the Best Show. Tom's rants and stories are its brain. Normal callers are its hair. And GOMPs are its mighty fists.

[Stupornaut]

(why did this show up twice?)

[yesno]

hey, that was my comment! Just braggin'

[Matt]

What about this comment, by "supercrotchinator":

Is it just me? Or does the picture make it look like the two fellas are lying in bed spooning?

I'd give that joker a good poke in the eye.

Anyways, an awesome article, and one that couldn't have come at a better time. I think Rabin may have earned himself a place in the cabinet when Best Show finally dominates the world.

[Phantom Hugger]

As the bit stretches out pass the half-hour mark, it develops a hypnotic jazz-like rhythm, a weird musicality.

This seems like a slight nod to the high concept riffing that Dave Chapelle likens himself to...and Tom grimaced at.

It's apt in context of the article, but maybe a subtle insider reference?

[Richard_From_CHI]

Nice!

[ericluxury]

This article made me happy. Obviously no new information for me, but since I don't have any friends who listen (I've given 3 people Paul F Tompkins cd and only one has listened yet, The Best Show seems like a hopeless case for my friends), having a media source I already like write such praise is great. The AV Club is only steps above a blog, but its an important step and Nathan Rabin especially is a gifted writer.

Describing the show is so strange, reviews and profiles seem to always hook into the music geek/fandom angle. I totally understand why since its what is profiled best on the CDs. But what is most remarkable to me in the show and is something that I haven't seen in the few profiles of the show I've seen is how complete a satirical world Newbridge is. Music geekdom is something that only some people can relate to and can turn some off, but that Newbridge is a comedic world nearly as developed as Springfield is something a lot of people would like. I hope that in the future thats what people will see and write about The Best Show.

[John M.]

I'm always trying to get people into the show, Steve in NoHo being my only success so far. I may forward this article to one or two people who are on the fence. It's so weird how many people enjoy all types of comedy, inlcuding comedy CDs, but just can't wrap their head around why you think they'd like The Best Show. Still world domination hangs in the balance so I'll use any tools I have to.

[Phantom Hugger]

Describing the show is so strange, reviews and profiles seem to always hook into the music geek/fandom angle. I totally understand why since its what is profiled best on the CDs. But what is most remarkable to me in the show and is something that I haven't seen in the few profiles of the show I've seen is how complete a satirical world Newbridge is. Music geekdom is something that only some people can relate to and can turn some off, but that Newbridge is a comedic world nearly as developed as Springfield is something a lot of people would like. I hope that in the future thats what people will see and write about The Best Show.

One thing that got me so hooked was how some of the real life callers seemed like seamless residents of Newbridge (Stevie Blue, Fred from Queens, Spike, even he who shall not be named etc.). Just another brick in the wall, but the show is more than the sum of its awesome parts. What comes after awesome?

[mokin]

One thing that got me so hooked was how some of the real life callers seemed like seamless residents of Newbridge (Stevie Blue, Fred from Queens, Spike, even he who shall not be named etc.). Just another brick in the wall, but the show is more than the sum of its awesome parts. What comes after awesome?

Julie had a pretty Wursteresque moment last week when she was saying everybody thought like her.

Julie: Whatever connection I make, seriously, I really believe everyone else makes it. 'Cause they're just like me!
Tom: So you're just like...uhhh... You're like uhhhhh--
Julie: everybody.
Tom: You're like Josephine Lunchpail.
Julie: Who's that?!

[masterofsparks]

Describing the show is so strange, reviews and profiles seem to always hook into the music geek/fandom angle. I totally understand why since its what is profiled best on the CDs. But what is most remarkable to me in the show and is something that I haven't seen in the few profiles of the show I've seen is how complete a satirical world Newbridge is. Music geekdom is something that only some people can relate to and can turn some off, but that Newbridge is a comedic world nearly as developed as Springfield is something a lot of people would like. I hope that in the future thats what people will see and write about The Best Show.

One thing that got me so hooked was how some of the real life callers seemed like seamless residents of Newbridge (Stevie Blue, Fred from Queens, Spike, even he who shall not be named etc.).

Totally agree with this.

[dave from knoxville]

This article made me happy. Obviously no new information for me, but since I don't have any friends who listen (I've given 3 people Paul F Tompkins cd and only one has listened yet, The Best Show seems like a hopeless case for my friends), having a media source I already like write such praise is great. The AV Club is only steps above a blog, but its an important step and Nathan Rabin especially is a gifted writer.

Describing the show is so strange, reviews and profiles seem to always hook into the music geek/fandom angle. I totally understand why since its what is profiled best on the CDs. But what is most remarkable to me in the show and is something that I haven't seen in the few profiles of the show I've seen is how complete a satirical world Newbridge is. Music geekdom is something that only some people can relate to and can turn some off, but that Newbridge is a comedic world nearly as developed as Springfield is something a lot of people would like. I hope that in the future thats what people will see and write about The Best Show.

Wow, you bought 4 copies of the Paul F Tompkins CD? Buy me one?

[Tom Scharpling]

In some sort of sick twist of fate, The Onion and the Onion AV Club is not opening for me. They have not opened all night. I've talked to a few other Cablevision subscribers who cannot open the site either.

What is going on here? I've tried opening it with Safari and Firefox, but no luck.

This is bizarre.

Tom.

[ericluxury]

Wow, you bought 4 copies of the Paul F Tompkins CD? Buy me one?

3. I passed one copy on and bought 2 as gifts.