I would like to open this review with a quote like this: "The newest show from Bald Faced Fucking Lie is a phat fucking BLAST, motherfuckaz!"--except in this case it's a bit more complicated and needs explaining, because I just saw Bald Faced Lie's new sketch comedy show, and it wasn't that good. (Bald Faced Lie and Broken Nose Productions are still free to use the above quote on all promotional materials and merchandise, of course.)

Karen Gruber, David Gehrman (especially David Gehrman), Basil Harris, and Peggy Gannon are all capable comic actors. Unfortunately, that only makes for well-acted comedy that isn't necessarily funny--a total of a few good moments scattered among an hour or so of filler. A series of solo musical numbers could be described as "wacky" and the writing seemed flat, missing the big laughs that you sometimes bring home and repeat to friends. You're roommates with Death? Okay, yeah... yeah, Death is funny. Huh, what's that? Do I want to see that three more times? No. Also, I never laughed longer or louder than the fellow sketch comedians in attendance--a genuinely caring bunch whose ability to mimic authentic laughter I will suspect until I am dead.

But after more than six years, Bald Faced Lie is a local fixture, with full-length shows and contributions to NPR's Rewind, The John Report with Bob, and a helpful program on getting permission before you landscape on public property that I saw on cable access. Bald Faced Lie's longevity says this show is an exception, one that hasn't changed my overall opinion: I like them. I just wish this particular show were more memorable.