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No more talking heads: Best Week Ever is now Paul F. Tompkins' show

by Joel Keller, posted Oct 15th 2008 1:05PM
Paul F. TompkinsA lot of us over here at the Squad are fans of VH1's Best Week Ever. We're either fans of the comedians who are asked to be pop-culture wise-asses, or we just like the format in general. Heck, we even like the website, mainly because it has the same attitude as the show.

However, the network has decided that the multiple talking-head format needs a change, so they've named Paul F. Tompkins as the show's sole host. Tompkins (aka "That comedian in the suits"), of course, was one of the best of those talking heads, and his surreal takes on pop culture's funnier bits were always among each episode's highlights. So it's not like the producers are going "outside the family" in order to find a host.

It did seem like the talking-head format had become more and more scripted over the last couple of years, so having one guy instead of a dozen people read from a teleprompter will probably give the show a better flow.

But this does look a lot like VH1 is trying to make their own version of The Soup, doesn't it?

[via TV Week]

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Gail

I've finally had to stop watching. Just too painful. TV is supposed to entertain, not bore this much. I felt like there were crickets in the room even though I was watching it alone. Highly uncomfortable and just a horrible version of what The Soup does best. I'll be surprised if this show survives this way, but seriously, anything can probably survive on VH1. It's shows are like cockroaches....meanwhile they continue to cancel absolutely funny shows all the time...so sad.

November 17 2008 at 7:53 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Samantha

That SUCKS. So let me get this right -- become EXACTLY like The Soup, lose the talents of a pool of great comedians, hitch your wagon to the star of a one-note delivery comedian? And the ad wizard that came up with that was...? I am no longer a viewer, Best Week - but thanks anyway!

October 20 2008 at 12:18 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Austin

That sucks. Big time. I love Paul, but the talking heads were what made that show interesting, different, and entertaining. I will, sadly, no longer be watching...

October 16 2008 at 11:32 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
r.r.r.

PFT is hysterical and i am excited for the changes. it's going head on with joel mchale and the soup. i'll record both shows regardless because both of them are funny. :)

October 16 2008 at 4:21 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Martin

Everyone else on the show is probably busy making appearances in Worst Week on CBS... interesting how they appear on best week and worst week.

October 16 2008 at 8:10 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
tony

As someone who lives in LA and sees PFT perform standup on an almost weekly basis, I can definitely say he is the most intelligent and witty comedian working today. We will sorely miss him out here on the west coast while he is away in NY, but its great news for him.

October 15 2008 at 6:48 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
RobynM

Colour me unimpressed. Unless he tones it down considerably for a solo gig, Paul's shtick is a little too hammy for me. Besides, my favourite personality on BWE was Christian Finnegan.

October 15 2008 at 5:53 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Pudge

You're kidding me right? Paul is the guy that just pulls shit out of thin air. That's fine in small doses, but not the whole show.

Oh well, I'm in college without my TiVo now and BWE has been one of the shows that isn't worth the effort to keep up on. The Soup is just so good, it's all I really need.

October 15 2008 at 4:15 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Cincinnati Mike

Odd development. Joel McHale vs. 100 talking heads was the main difference between Soup and BWE. They sure as hell spoof the same news, shows, internet junk, etc.

Of course, Soup is already diluting their own formula with The Dish and Sports Soup.

I do like Paul, but ITA with the Chuck Nice comments.

October 15 2008 at 2:28 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
rick cokely

This is sad. I like the show and I have been missing it for a couple weeks because it hasn't been getting recorded for some reason (maybe not on the air?) But I absolutely MUST HAVE my Sizzler. It's the best part of the show.

October 15 2008 at 1:34 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

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