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The Half Hour

Joe Wengert

Comedy Central · 2014 · 23 min

A deadpan analysis of earworms, therapists, and feline report cards.

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Joe Wengert takes the lowest-stakes problems of modern adulthood and treats them with absolute, deadpan gravity. Rather than pulling from trauma or grand social issues, he zeroes in on the mechanics of minor annoyances. He spends time breaking down the specific awkwardness of casually bumping into an acquaintance on the street, analyzes the one earworm he can’t get out of his head, and explains his methodology for choosing a therapist. The centerpiece of the set involves a surprisingly thorough review of his cat’s behavioral report card.

Filmed at The Royale in Boston for the third season of Comedy Central’s The Half Hour in 2014, the set catches Wengert transitioning from stage to screen. An established improviser at the Upright Citizens Brigade and a former “New Face” at the Montreal Just for Laughs festival, he was already building the television writing career that would lead to Kroll Show and Big Mouth.

The set list

3 bits

  1. Terrible public interactions

    Navigating awkward and absurd encounters in public spaces drawn from personal life experiences.

  2. The trouble with catchy songs

    Observational breakdown of issues surrounding infectious music.

  3. A new game invented to make life easier

    Detailing a personalized game designed to simplify navigating everyday situations.

How it plays

Tone
Quirky, self-deprecating, observational, and relatable.
On stage
Down-to-earth, self-deprecating, and charming with a warm and inviting stage presence, contrasting with his internal feeling of being terrified of audiences.
Pace
Contagious energy and infectious laughter paired with precise punchline delivery and polished timing.
About
terrible public interactions, catchy songs, everyday absurdity, challenges of adulthood, relationships, technology

What the critics said

Praised for his clever observations, sharp comedic writing, unique storytelling, and ability to mine strong laughs from mundane life situations.

In the room: Described by Wengert as a great audience, with reviews noting the room roaring with laughter.

Summed up from reviews, articles and listings. Sources: tvmaze.com, thecomedybureau.com, mijnserie.nl, vulture.com, earwolf.com, yidio.com, imdb.com.

Backstory

Filmed in Boston during a dedicated week of tapings for Season 3 of Comedy Central's 'The Half Hour' standup series, drawing upon material developed over Wengert's five years in standup comedy.

Details

Released
Runtime
23 min
Where
Comedy Central
Topics

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