Like fellow reviewer Susan Jordan, I'm a Benny fan. And Susan's right, there is nothing exceptional about this episode. However, in my book, routine Benny is still funnier then most anything around. Typically, his schtick grows out of character rather than gag lines; as a result, much of the humor comes from variations on stock characters and similar set-ups. For example, we know Benny's Scrooge will surface some time in the 30-minutes, but will still get laughs. Ditto, repeat characters like Frank Nelson's series of annoying clerks, who also appears here.The set-up is a familiar one, but is still pretty funny, at least in my book.
In fact, much of the Benny show's enduring humor depends on life's little annoyances and Jack's stock reactions to them, like the "slow burn". At the same time, it's testament to the show's performers and creators that they were able to sustain the schtick over a 15-year period. Perhaps Benny's brand of gentle low-key humor is too tame for today's more high-key audiences. Nonetheless, there's a lot to be said for that comedic brand; and for Jack's amusing reactions to getting up at 4-in the morning in this installment.
In fact, much of the Benny show's enduring humor depends on life's little annoyances and Jack's stock reactions to them, like the "slow burn". At the same time, it's testament to the show's performers and creators that they were able to sustain the schtick over a 15-year period. Perhaps Benny's brand of gentle low-key humor is too tame for today's more high-key audiences. Nonetheless, there's a lot to be said for that comedic brand; and for Jack's amusing reactions to getting up at 4-in the morning in this installment.
