(by CNU editor Rachel)
On Friday, July 12, Doug Benson returned to Minneapolis, Minnesota to record a road episode of his popular Doug Loves Movies podcast. It’s fair to say that “Minneap" (as he calls it) has been a popular destination for the comic over the years; he has recorded albums and other DLM eps in the city’s Acme Comedy Club. For this episode, Doug took his show to the Varsity Theater in the Dinkytown neighborhood, near the University of Minnesota campus.
There seemed be a general camaraderie among the attendees as we waited to get in and find a general admission seat. Since listening to podcasts is such a solitary pursuit, it’s exciting to meet other fans in the flesh. Though we were strangers, we had hours and hours of shared episodes in common, and discussed nametags, shitheads, and who the guests might be as we waited for the show to begin.
The lights dimmed, and Doug, smiling and clad in a black tee and blue jeans, took the stage to wild applause. I felt a giddy thrill to hear “Hey, everybody!" in person. The crowd was even happy to oblige in singing “This is Doug Loves Movies" a la Montell Jordan as we have heard on the LA episodes recently. Doug quickly introduced his guests: DC Pierson, who had been his opener at the Acme show the night before; Chad Daniels, a Minnesota comic; and frequent DLM guest, comedian Brendan Walsh.
Since there was no “Put Your Hands Together" to keep waiting, Doug and his guests were free to discuss movies at length before the games portion. I don’t want to give away too much, but Brendan Walsh gave the best dog-movie breakdown since Paul Scheer took on Firehouse Dog, back when the show was called “I Love Movies." In addition, the gender gap between Despicable Me 2 and Pacific Rim was revealed.
When it was time to LET THE GAMES BEGIN, the early birds definitely got the worm, nametags-being-chosen-wise. This is something to keep in mind if you venture out to a live taping, like if you take nothing else away from this writeup, know that to be chosen, you should get to the venue early and sit as close to the front as possible. Common sense, I suppose, but we’d all like to think we’re special enough to be seen even in the inky darkness of the back of the crowd. My friend and I were well outside the zone of nametag consideration, owing to parking difficulties and my general inability to be places on time. Doug did make a point of complimenting both the quantity and quality of the nametags in the audience, and you can check out his Vine to see those which were chosen. No babies, but there was one Hoverboard.
Minnesota references were lovingly peppered throughout the show, including Fargo, The Mighty Ducks, Purple Rain, and spelling out “MALL OF AMERICA" in ABCDeez Nuts. Chad Daniels offered some insights on the Fergus Falls/Hollywood connection. The panel also played The Bane Game and How Much Did This Shit Make, before getting into the big money with the Leonard Maltin Game. I felt like the guests had some real gamesmanship and strategy during LMG, and the crowd was thrilled when the @AsparagusP category came out to play. There was one “I can’t believe he couldn’t get that" title, but I won’t spoil it here, because I want you to have fun listening, but also because I now cannot recall what it was.
The show ended up being about two hours long. Afterwards, there was no merch table or meet ‘n greet (as is the case at many regular standup shows) but I have no doubt there was an appreciative crowd waiting for Doug and his guests in the parking lot. Area residents with IFC and a DVR were able to go home and see Doug *again*, on the second season premiere of Comedy Bang Bang. I went out for dinner-breakfast with my friend and resisted the urge to scream DENVER, YEAH!! when she ordered the Denver omelet.