LCS 2010: Semi-Finals Day 2

So tonight one of our sponsors is a diabetes test; and we also have a repeat of the Plavix commercial (for people who've had a heart attack and don't want another). Good to know the show is staying true to its audience.

And Craig Robinson has trouble staying in the spotlight, because OMG the lights are being run by a cigar-chomping chimp! Can this show get any more cutting-edge?

Among the judges, it's Greg Giraldo's night to shine; he's sharp and interacts well with the comics. Andy's funny too, and Natasha is lively and cheerful. And I suspect she (and probably the other judges, though I'm not paying as close attention) wears the same low-cut outfit as Day 1 so that if they want to the producers can dice and slice and move "Day 1" acts to "Day 2" and vice-versa.

At one point I want to call the judges the Sanhedrin, but that feels vaguely incorrect.

Roy Wood, Jr., starts things off. In his audition I liked his writing, but tonight he brings the whole package, writing and delivery. He talks about bad dates, and cryptic wedding invitations, and how men prepare for the possibility of sex on a date, and how women prepare for the possibility of fighting off sex on a date. All original and funny stuff, and I already want to see him in the final ten.

Fortune Feimster tells a story that revolves around her less-than-stunning looks (and her status as a lesbian). I like her, but I'm only lukewarm on the material, which isn't much more than, hey everybody, look at me, I'm a lesbian stereotype.

Jerry Rocha (from Dallas) does some OK gags, the best of which is an impersonation of a customer service woman at a credit card company.

Guy Torry jokes about Obama; claims to be tripolar; and makes fun of Hillary Clinton in the Iowa caucuses, which manages to be both a dated and obscure reference. The audition joke about the girlfriend with hot sauce in her Louis Vuitton purse may have actually been funnier. Anyway, the judges are unimpressed, and Torry kind of goes off, knowing he's doomed.

Jacob Sirof starts off saying, "That was awkward," acknowledging Torry's meltdown. He makes fun of motorcycle jackets, and then he does an extended bit about breaking into a friend's home and hugging the sleeping friend. I think it was supposed to be about discomfort with possibly gay behavior or something. Maybe I'll wake up tonight understanding the joke and laugh.

Nikki Glaser talks about the advantages of having a baby when you're a teen (your parents are still young enough to raise the kid themselves) which I thought was pretty funny. She then tells some abortion jokes which are probably supposed to be edgy but just feel awkward.

Taylor Williamson is a sort of shlubby fellow who reminds me a bit of Max Wright (though there's not really much resemblance). He tells some strange jokes about a labradoodle and about a camel with tiny humps which I kind of like even though they are puzzling and kind of feel like a misfire.

Nick Cobb does a bit about being stoned when his girlfriend dumps him. I think the jokes are OK, but the judges prefer his other material.

Mike Vecchione talks about his Catholic upbringing, his father's gambling problem, and street hoods using babies as jewelry. Pretty funny.

Cristela Alonzo says she's from the Mexican part of Texas, i.e., Texas. Maybe you have to live in Texas to get the joke. Growing up, she felt sorry for girls with common names; if you were Jennifer, for instance, the kids would have to use a nickname to distinguish you from the other Jennifers—and who wants to be called "mustache Jennifer"? Again we have an instance where the judges prefer a comic's other material.

Kurt Metzger does a bit about Tiger Woods's press conference and throws in a jab at Lady Gaga. Metzger is my favorite comic, but this isn't quite his best.

Laurie Kilmartin continues her bad mother act, and she does a funny bit about a Russian boyfriend.

Tommy Johnagin jokes about babies, pregnancy, and kissing. Say, aren't those in reverse chronological order? Anyway, he aggressively presses the judges to know if he's a finalist. They love his act and his ambition.

Claudia Cogan tells jokes about temp workers. Not great.

Maronzio Vance asks why you get a credit check when you apply for a job; after all, one of the reasons for having a job is to improve your credit. His grandfather once told him to just show up somewhere and start working. (If he isn't picked for the finals, will he show up there anyway?)

Jason Nash imitates baby monitor noises (not too funny) and discusses the proper use of "f* it" by a three-year-old (very funny). The judges are familiar with his act and all love him.

James Adomian complains about a friend who insists he watch "Lost"—all 200-or-so hours. He's also into Gary Busey's weirdness. The judges think he's fantastic and want him to do impressions.

Carmen Lynch talks about Latinos who want to be her boyfriend; they are much shorter than she is and follow her around. I found myself laughing, then thinking, "Hey wait, was that racist?" I like Lynch's deadpan style and wish she had used some other material.

Finally, Brian McKim talks about a place with fine food and adult toys, and he tells pee jokes involving five-year-olds in Phoenix. He's pretty funny, but this is probably the end for him, which is a shame, because he and his wife have a nice blog at sheckymagazine.com.

The comics are called out in groups.

Group 1: Jacob Sirof, James Adomian, Jerry Rocha, Claudia Cogan, and Guy Torry. Torry's no fool; he's carrying his luggage. Adomian is announced as the finalist.

Group 2: Carmen Lynch, Tom Shillue, Roy Wood, Jr., Jason Nash, and Kurt Metzger. Wood deservedly gets the finalist slot, though it's a shame to lose Metzger.

Group 3: Laurie Kilmartin, Nick Cobb, Fortune Feimster, David Cope, and Cristela Alonzo. Kilmartin gets the nod.

Group 4: Nikki Glaser, Taylor Williamson, Tommy Johnagin, and Brian McKim. It's Johnagin.

Group 5: Maronzio Vance and Mike Vecchione. Vance is the finalist.

(Shillue in Group 2 and Cope in Group 3 were actually edited out of the show, but were identified by McKim in his blog and can be seen in a few group shots.)