Comedy

Five thoughts: Garfunkel and Oates (March 21, Venetian)

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Garfunkel and Oates
Adam Shane

1. Riki Lindhome and Kate Micucci look harmless, but as anyone who’s seen Garfunkel and Oates’ eponymous IFC show knows, these two can load a twee song with more awkward sex talk than a Dr. Ruth marathon. Midway through the set, the duo ditches its instruments to rap about never learning how to give a hand job. Because, “Once you’re in your 30s no one will teach you,” Lindhome says. The kicker’s in the chorus: “How can I learn when you always make me stop?”

2. Some of Garfunkel and Oates’ best moments come when they tell the stories behind their songs, particularly “Go Kart Racing (Accidentally Masturbating).” “I just pulled my go-kart over and waited the 10 minutes out. You can’t orgasm in a go-kart in Utah. It just feels so wrong.”

3. The set was full of web favorites, like “Weed Card,” about getting marijuana through a doctor’s prescription, and “I Don’t Know Who You Are,” about running into people who insist they know you ... and you haven’t got a clue who they are. “You’re bland as f*ck. Get a catchphrase. Get an accent,” the duo sings. “You don’t even look a little familiar to me, and I blame you.”

4. One of the funniest songs of the night was “The College Try,” about Lindhome’s “bisexual phase,” which ends with her realizing she’s totally freaked out by vaginas. Among a bunch of squealing ewws and oh-my-Gods, Lindhome shrieks, “I can’t believe I have one of those!” Even more awkward was Micucci admitting that’s her dad’s favorite song.

5. Garfunkel and Oates save their most famous skit, “The Loophole,” for the final part of their set. “Do you guys know what God’s loophole is?” Lindhome asks—it’s about staying “pure through anal.” “It happened in my high school a lot,” she adds.” With lyrics like, “Yeah my chastity belt has locks, but sometimes you have to think outside the box,” it’s hard to imagine IFC cancelling the duo’s show after just one season. Maybe their crass brand of ukulele-comedy is just better suited for the stage.

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