'Viva Variety' brings fresh fun to Comedy Central

Dey talk like dees, but these comic sensations aren't from Eurrrrrrrrope. Complete with rolled r's and funky accents, outrageous acts, awesome musical guests and an abundance of hilarity, "The World's No. 1 Variety Show," "Viva Variety" makes an impressive debut on Comedy Central.

REVIEW
	Viva Variety Comedy Central Tuesdays at 10 p.m.

Based in New York, the show is loosely structured after a typical European variety show, with a mess of entertaining components and a couple of kooky hosts. "Viva Variety" stars Thomas Lennon, Michael Ian Black and Kerri Kenney, former members of the sketch comedy troupe "The State," with another former member, Ben Garant contributing a great deal behind the scenes.

Lennon plays the eccentric host Mr. Laupin, who still lusts after his co-host and ex-wife, the former Mrs. Laupin (Kenney). They are assisted by their lounge-singing, vinyl-suit-wearing and dim-witted sidekick Johnny Blue Jeans (Black). Together, they carry the show to the highest comedic level.

"Viva Variety" successfully blends the various acts on the show for an entertaining mixture so that you never know what to expect from one moment to the next. Whether you like the sick and twisted, the funny and absurd, or enjoy good wholesome live music, this outrageous program is guaranteed to have something for everyone.

If you thought the trailers were funny, then you haven't seen anything yet. After watching the debut episode, audiences around the world now know that they can expect top-quality from "Viva Variety." From a round of the game show "Sir Pants or Not?" where an audience member guesses if three celebrity look-alikes (Paul McCartney, Fidel Castro and Woody Allen) are wearing pants, to a video clip of "Monkeysportz" which has Johnny Blue Jeans judge a competition between Olympic gymnast Christy Phillips and a monkey, the zany fun never stops.

And with a performance by the musical sensation Shudder to Think acting as the icing on this gourmet cake, "Viva Variety" proves itself to be one of the freshest and most charming shows on television.

The only thing better than the acts would be the series regulars themselves. The wacky interaction between the two hosts and their sidekick is reminiscent of the crazy humor that used to permeate "The State" episodes. Whether it is putdowns on each other, verbal puns, or having Johnny Blue Jeans do his own thing (such as performing in a mall for a listless, elderly audience), there is never a dull moment on this comedy show.

So grab your Depends and a good tank of oxygen, because with "Viva Variety," you'll laugh. You'll laugh 'til you cry. And in the end, you too will be shouting ecstatically, "Viva variety!"

Michael Black, Thomas Lennon and Kerri Kenney star in "Viva Variety."

04-15-97