Sometimes, can’t-miss concepts not only miss, but miss so badly you’re left wondering how something that seemed so right went so wrong. Husband and wife Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally are very funny actors. Offerman often stole Parks and Recreation, and Mullally, an Emmy winner for Will & Grace, deserves praise for her understated work on Season 2 of Party Down, when she had to replace comedy machine Jane Lynch. Knowing all this, I was excited for their Summer of 69: No Apostrophe tour stop.
Offerman played the guitar and Mullally the ukulele, singing about the tour-titular numbered sex position. Some harmless banter followed but quickly turned from funny into a harbinger of things to come. Offerman: “Look to your left and then look to your right. One of these people will be going home with you this evening. Is one of them your mom or dad? Well, we’re not here to judge.” Mullally: “There’s no reason that can’t work. Look at Miley Cyrus and her dad.”
Ugh. Miley and Billy Ray jokes. Not really tapping into the pulse of now.
The funniest of their ditties was about how the couple had a three-way with Jesus (“On that day we nailed more than a cross”). Maybe it’s because of their familiar television characters or because of the alt sensibilities of the performers and their audience, but I couldn’t help but think if it were just a straight stand-up act with a dude talking about banging J.C., it wouldn’t have gone over nearly as well.
The first hour was all sex related and included tired premises like which Hollywood films they’ve turned into sex positions. But most of them had no explanation; they just named movies as sex positions. And when they did explain further, it didn’t make sense. Offerman: “Captain Phillips.” Mullally: “He wears an eye patch in that one.” But, of course, in the film Captain Phillips, he didn’t wear an eye patch.
Mullally going on a fake date with an audience member was fun, but there was an equally lame attempt at an updated take on The Newlywed Game with another couple in the crowd. The few hits were greatly overshadowed by the flaws. Sometimes, no matter how funny the performers might be, without the right words a sure thing can be anything but.
Nick Offerman & Megan Mullally April 24, House of Blues
