PARODY SERIES `DOG' HAS SHARP BITE.Byline: David Kronke Television Critic OK, I will grant that there is one good thing about reality programs: They've inspired some really funny parodies of reality programs. To ``The Office'' and ``Reno 911!'' we can now add ``Dog Bites Man For the journalistic expression, see . Dog Bites Man was a partially improvised comedy television show on Comedy Central that aired in Summer 2006. It begins airing on The Comedy Channel in Australia in June 2007. ,'' a deadpan, partially improvised comedy from Dan Mazer Dan Mazer (born 1971) is an Academy Award-nominated screenwriter, TV/Film producer, and comedian. He is best known as the long-time writing and production partner of Sacha Baron Cohen and has worked with him on such characters as Ali G and Borat. , who worked with Sacha Baron Cohen
Sacha Noam Baron Cohen[1] (born 13 October, 1971) is an English comedian, writer and actor most noted for his comic characters Borat (a Kazakh reporter), Ali G (a junglist-hip hop gangsta wannabe on the hilarious ``Da Ali G Show Da Ali G Show was the name of two related satirical TV series starring British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen and featuring the character Ali G. The original (single season) series was made by Channel 4 in the UK, and the second (two season) series by Channel 4 in the UK .'' Here, Mazer sets his sites on an unremarkable and mildly delusional news-features team in the midlevel mid·lev·el n. The middle stage or level, as in a series, course of action, or career. TV market of Spokane, as they bumble about, obliviously missing stories in search of that certain story they're sure is out there (but usually isn't). Frisson of no sort whatsoever is generated between dithering Simulating more colors and shades in a palette. In a monochrome system that displays or prints only black and white, shades of grays can be simulated by creating varying patterns of black dots. This is how halftones are created in a monochrome printer. segment producer Tillie Sullivan (Andrea Savage of ``Significant Others,'' another improvised comic gem) and blowhard reporter Kevin Beekin (Matt Walsh) -- Comedy Central's press release refers to him, ironically or otherwise, as ``on-air talent'' -- even though they once dated, and the blinkered blink·ered adj. Subjective and limited, as in viewpoint or perception: "The characters have a blinkered view and, misinterpreting what they see, sometimes take totally inexpedient action" Beekin still thinks he has a chance with her. Rounding out their team is director Alan Finger (Zach Galifianakis), for whom the word ``grizzled'' seems to be part of his job description, and production assistant Marty Shonson (A.D. Miles), who usually doesn't know when to shut up. (In his case, ``always'' would be a good starting point.) As Beekin and Sullivan practice journalism of a sort that would do the White House Press Corps proud -- stories include a Pasadena body-building competition and an undercover investigation of homophobia (which seems to exist mainly within the crew) -- the petty agendas of each routinely obfuscate To make unclear or confuse. See obfuscator and e-mail obfuscator. any chance of insightful reporting occurring. The cast is as razor-sharp as the characters they portray are inept, making ``Dog Bites Man'' a perfect lead-in for ``The Daily Show With Jon Stewart.'' David Kronke, (818) 713-3638 david.kronke(at)dailynews.com DOG BITES MAN - Three stars What: ``Da Ali G Show'' producer Dan Mazer goes ``behind the scenes.'' Where: Comedy Central. When: 10:30 tonight; also 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 11:30 p.m. Sundays, and 10 p.m. and midnight Tuesdays. In a nutshell: Smart, inspired pseudo-documentary buffoonery, a la ``The Office'' or ``Reno 911.'' CAPTION(S): photo Photo: ``Dog Bites Man,'' a new Comedy Central series from ``Ali G'' producer Dan Mazer, tracks a team of Spokane, Wash., television journalists. |
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