No show goes lower than Joe Schmo (But None Is More HILARIOUS!!!)

National Post ^ | September 5, 2003 | Scott Feschuk

[PJ-Comix]

So on one hand, you feel just awful for the guy. The other hand, alas, is more likely than not to be wiping away tears of laughter. This is a very funny show. To their credit, the producers have not made it easy on themselves, nor their cast. The conventions of the reality genre are mocked so lustily that there are moments you simply cannot believe that Matt doesn't catch on.

True! This show is the FUNNIEST show on the air.

There's the Lord of the Manor Immunity Showdown, on which contestants compete for the right to wear the Pimped Out Immunity Robe.

That outrageous pimp-looking Immunity Robe is HILARIOUS!!! This show is a MUST-SEE. You will feel guilty about laughing at Joe Schmo but you will still be laughing so hard you will have tears in your eyes. It's on Spike TV again tonight with a NEW episode. Any other Joe Schmo fans out there?

[Constitution Day]

Never seen it, but I'll check it out.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Spike TV? I don't know if I get it or not. But the show sounds hilarious.

[mattdono]

It is the newly revised TNN.

[truthandlife]

Spike TV use to be TNN

[MotleyGirl70]

It's on Spike

Here in Milwaukee, Spike TV is about one week old and is the old TNN station.

If JS is nearly as funny as Extreme Elimination on Spike, I'll watch it.

On Sunday they had back-to-back episodes of EE. The American commentators are the funniest. Those with a healthy sense of humor would find EE really stupid but really funny.

Jo Schmo kind of sounds like The Truman Show with Jim Carey.

[MalcolmS]

Extreme Elimination is a show that reveals how great American TV could be if personal injury lawyers did not exist. Much pain, very little gain.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Got it.

[Born Conservative]

I watched MXC on Sunday night on Spike TV; this show is from Japan, and is absolutely hilarious! It's a program where the contestants have to do silly stunts to try to win. All of the talking is voice-overs that make it look like a Grade B movie. Be careful with children watching it though, lots of double entendre as well as blatant risque stuff. But even just to watch the stunts is funny.

[PJ-Comix]

Spike TV? I don't know if I get it or not. But the show sounds hilarious.

SPIKE TV is on the same cable channel as the old TNN.

[Xthe17th]

The Joe Schmo Show, a new series that airs Tuesdays

So episode 2 is tonight? I despise these reality shows - only time I watch them is for about ten seconds whilst channel surfing - but your description makes this one sound worth watching - if at least only for the stereotype characters. Thanks for the review. I'll try to catch it.

[dead]

I'm with you. I decided to check this out after reading a three-star review in the NY Post that read like Linda Stasi was too embarrassed to give it the four-stars it deserved.

It is mean and hysterically funny at the same time. "Joe" is really such a schlub. But you know they have to give him the $100,000 in the end, just so he doesn't sue their asses.

Part of the fun is watching and rating the actors. The Virgin stinks. So does The Veteran. And the Black Chick.

The Gay Cuban is absolutely hysterical. And The Asshole is really good too.

This show is very very funny. Too bad it will only work once.

[MotleyGirl70]

I agree!

I'm laughing just thinking about EE.

Those Japanese people are so little too. The women are all for it and don't seem to mind to "go for it".

My favorite are the logs, some of those falls look painful, but with the American commentating you can't help but laugh.

[Lance Romance]

I, too, love Most Extreme Elimination Challenge, which follows Max Exposure (Max X). If it's anything like those two, call me a fan.

[PJ-Comix]

So episode 2 is tonight? I despise these reality shows - only time I watch them is for about ten seconds whilst channel surfing - but your description makes this one sound worth watching - if at least only for the stereotype characters. Thanks for the review. I'll try to catch it.

Yes, episode 2 is on tonight. There are two main elements that makes Joe Schmo HILARIOUS. One is the clueless Joe Schmo himself who despite a plethora of clues can't figure out that it's all a put-on. The second element is the parody of Reality Shoes, especially the super-serious smarmy host. Also the show is filled with the stock Reality Show characters such as a gay guy, a military-like older guy, a super-religious virgin chick, an annoying guy, a slob, a scheming chick, etc..

[PokeyJoe]

I thought it was kinda funny that the EDITED show had Matt recognize the high priced hooker only AFTER she removed her top, exlaiming, "Tawny Roberts? YES".

Typical twentysomething man. He knew the hooker was a looker. He even studied her rump versus her chest for a dollar bill, for his predestined "right hand on left breast" sentence.

According to the EDITED show, He didn't put 2 + 2 together until she removed her bikini top.

Good editing on the part of the producers. Twist the moment for maximum effect, humor, and humiliation.

Tell us Matt - you're a lurker - aren't you?

Was holding the breast of Tawny worth the humiliation? Since you're a law screwl drop-out, did you even bother to read the contract?

[Born Conservative]

I agree about Extreme Elimination (MXC). See post #9.

[MotleyGirl70]

Lots of halarious sexual innuendoes.

[PJ-Comix]

This show is very very funny. Too bad it will only work once.

Yup! They won't be able to do this again. BTW, this might spell the death knell of all Reality Shows. The contestants won't know if it is real or not.

[Allegra]

OK, you guys have convinced me. I read an article about it in the paper's TV page last week and it sounded awful.

Reading these posts, it sounds like it's so awful it's funny, like some of those real bad horror flicks that came out in the 80's like "Slumber Party Massacre."

I'll give it a shot tonight.