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Promotional art for Comedy Central Presents: Kyle Grooms
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Comedy Central Presents

Kyle Grooms

Comedy Central · 2007 · 21 min

A relaxed half-hour covering astigmatism, knock-off Tang, and bottled water.

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Kyle Grooms outlines the strict limitations astigmatism places on a life of crime. You cannot be a gangster in glasses, he explains, because a physical altercation means losing your eyewear, and the resulting sympathy from onlookers ruins the intimidation factor. The alternative is robbing bookstores for the newest Harry Potter release, a pivot that sums up his relaxed, conversational stage persona.

Aired in 2007 for season 11 of Comedy Central Presents, the half-hour caught the comic fresh off a run of television appearances, including his recurring role as the “Information Guy” on Chappelle’s Show. His stand-up leans into consumer habits and everyday economic disparities. He points out the absurdity of paying for bottled tap water, notes the American luxury of water-based theme parks, and details the realities of drinking the cheaper, knock-off versions of Tang. He closes out the set with advice for President Bush on who the rest of the world actually dislikes.

The set list

6 bits

  1. Why LensCrafters is a better investment than Harvard

    Examines value and perception regarding education versus eyewear

  2. Americans as water snobs

    Critiques American attitudes and preferences regarding drinking water

  3. George W. Bush and international perception

    Argues that President George W. Bush is the only American the world actually hates and explains who the world really cannot stand

  4. The difference between Tang and cheaper drink variations

    Highlights the disparities between brand-name and generic powdered drinks

  5. Growing up in the Bronx

    Recalls amusing anecdotes about his family dynamics and neighborhood upbringing

  6. Celebrity and political impressions

    Demonstrates impressions of figures such as Barack Obama and Michael Jackson

How it plays

Tone
Insightful, relatable, balancing lighthearted humor with commentary on serious topics
On stage
Relatable, witty, quick and clever, delivering punchlines after the beat and structuring routines around stories
Pace
Quick and clever with punchlines delivered after the beat
About
relationships and dating, politics, race and discrimination, childhood in the Bronx, consumer habits

What the critics said

Praised for his relatable comedic style, sharp impressions, and ability to transition smoothly from lighthearted observations to serious cultural topics.

In the room: Kept the audience consistently engaged throughout the set

Summed up from reviews, articles and listings. Sources: thetvdb.com, tvguide.com, tvmaze.com, deadspin.com, yidio.com, miaminewtimes.com, kylegrooms.com.

Backstory

Part of Comedy Central Presents Season 11, a half-hour stand-up series taped in New York City designed to showcase up-and-coming talent with individual custom stage designs reflecting each comic's material and persona.

Details

Released
Runtime
21 min
Where
Comedy Central
Topics

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