This is what those new-media gurus call "branded content," and, well, although someone has to pay the bills, I don't look forward to the day when there is product placement on the Second City mainstage. Ergo, "#Date Me" would be better if at least acknowledged the existence of or e or whatever. research designed to make Ok Cupid look more essential — and while Second City is not the University of Chicago (although it once kinda was), there is something about trust that feels a bit squishy here. People around me were having a very good time — they'd have a better one if the ending were better earned and some of that annoying voice-over stuff was cut and all was sharpened throughout. These performers (the cast also includes Joel Boyd, Peter Collins, Randall Harr and Dana Robie) are roughly on a par with what you might find in a decent Second City touring company.Now, in fairness to Robyn Lynne Norris, the creator, writer and main performer of this show, this is her actual story based on something she really did on Ok Cupid: Try and create 38 (fake) profiles of the totally undatable. There are some laughs — just nothing to, well, upset the sponsor.
It turns out that improv comedy and relationships have a lot in common.
You see, both involve a partnership where two people are willing to commit, communicate, and work together to move forward.
And, so shoot me, I like shows that upset the sponsor. Norris' presence, and narrative, does give the show a bit more unity than some other such pieces — the veracity of her little prank makes it more fun and she's smart enough to add some of her own personal vulnerability into the mix.
She comes and goes in terms of energy, but she's there, she's honest and she's empathetic, unlike her various alter-egos who are enough to make anyone just say "no" for life.
Based on the Friday night performance I saw, this is a show that attracts women at a ratio over men of at least 50-to-1. I have no ready answer but suspect it involves men not dealing in some way). Well, there is something cheering about that, no question.
I would further point out that there is something a little scary about a show where the artistic content is so intertwined with promotion for one specific website. And that warm sense that we can all find love does permeate "#Date Me," which is not exactly caustic, groundbreaking satire, but is nonetheless a pretty good night out with friends, especially if the entertainment is consumed with lubricating liquid refreshment bought with a group discount, and especially when you consider that most live entertainments about dating are cringe-inducing awful, just like TV on that theme."#Date Me" is really not bad. In essence, you're buying a lively, video-fueled, dating-themed sketch show with a cast of professionals (I watched the excellent Stacey Smith totally defeat an investment banker who did not want to give her the suggestions she needed).Plus, both improv and relationships aren’t scripted, and they’re incredibly unpredictable.In the daily ins and outs of being in a committed relationship, caring for and communicating with one another—as if the show depended on it—tends to fall by the wayside.They must not be a professional comedian - that is they must not make the majority of their income from stand up comedy.Any act may enter unless: - They are employed by Bell Aliant or any of its affiliate companies.- An act makes the majority of their income from comedy performing. Acts must stick to the allotted time for each round.