Inside Comedy with David Steinberg [Showtime]

Inside Comedy is currently my favourite TV show. It’s a one-on-one conversational format with veteran writer/ director/ stand-up David Steinberg, and its real basic. The show takes it lead from Steinbergs old 2005 programme Sit Down Comedy with David Steinberg, with a simple face-to-face, breaking bread format, highlighting the ‘inspirations and influences’ of comedians and ‘funny people’ as well as ‘intimate memories and career-defining moments’. Things are a little loose in direction at times and the show might seem brief, but the raw, rare and uncensored footage adds to the fabric of this quality production. NB. The only laugh-track is provided organically by the camera and sound crew…

Some of my personal favourites in Comedy appear over the course of the 10 episode investigative mini-season which started 26 January 2012; Chris Rock, Steven Wright, Judd Appatow, Tina Fey, Garry Shandling, Larry David, Jerry Seinfeld and Mel Brooks. In terms of the level of talent, its a no-brainer. Steinberg interviews some of the finest comedians alive, going back as far as Jonathan Winters and Don Rickles [Louie CK was probably too busy, at the gym no doubt]…

As a guideline, here’s the Chris Rock episode.

Chris Rock on Letterman the other night…

Chris Rock is virtually doing stand-up here, except he’s sitting down.  He’s just in conversation with [his close mate] Dave Letterman, and it may be pre-scripted, but he flows, and he’s naturally very very funny. His routines have been so sharp over the past few years, and aint nothin slowing  down, thank feck…

In case you missed it…

Paul Simon has bitches in his living room getting it on, and they arent leaving until six in the morning, allegedly…

Chris Rock & Tracy Morgan perform Snoops Gin & Juice together with Paul Simon as part of some Comedy Central telethon joint, celebrities still answer the phones on these things?

As ever Morgan is as sharp as a tack. Youll see, just wait for the ‘Will-I-Am good’ auto-tune…