Yakity Yak Yakity Yak

I've been watching The Megan Mullally Show and for me, it's just not up to par with The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Maybe it's because The Ellen Show has been around longer. Maybe talk shows are like wine--the older, the better.

First off, Megan's stand-up comedy at the beginning of the show is nowhere near as funny as Ellen's. Granted DeGeneres has done stand-up comedy before, what was Will & Grace if not a comedy forum? I suspect the producers of The Megan Show realized this as well since that segment of her show is now relatively shorter than earlier episodes. While I usually skip the first few minutes of shows like Conan O'Brian or Jay Leno because they're boring (I wait for the guests.), I actually enjoy what Ellen has to say during that segment. Plus, she dances! It's an absolute delight to watch her! If for some reason or another, you haven't yet, you should add it to your life list.

In fact, this is the gimmick that's running all season long on The Ellen Show. Ellen is sharing with her audience the life list she made. One of the things on her list is to learn Spanish. She's done this several times on her show and it's hilarious! I'm sorry I can't say the same for Megan. However, one of the few things I like about Mullally's show are the guests she has on. That's when things really get going. Both Bradley Whitford and Laura Linney are recent guests of hers that I enjoyed watching. It could be attributed to Megan's interviewing skills, or more likely, the guests's charisma. Still, if you'll notice, on Mullally's show, they sit on a couch and are physically closer, projecting warmth whereas on DeGeneres' show, they are seated on separate chairs.

Then again, Mullally uses the couch as an excuse to Indian-sit on it while interviewing her guest. I personally find it unprofessional. She should be more aware of the fact that millions of people have their eyes on her. At the very least, you'd think that she'd lure in more people to be in her audience with fabulous giveaways but no. She gives a year supply of meat. Yum! Ellen hands out free Tivos. Is it even a competition? Well, I guess not--since they're on the same network. I suppose NBC ran out of good writers for Mullally. Even the band on The Megan Show is cheesy. I like the deejay on The Ellen Show better. They just replaced DJ Tony from last season with DJ Jonny.

Although I preferred DJ Tony's music selection better, DJ Jonny is a lot more involved in DeGeneres' sketches. So, we get to know him better, and he's quite funny. (As it turns out, he's an actor who's starred in Dead Man Walking, Meet the Parents, etc.) Nonetheless, all the songs he chooses for Ellen's dance segments sound the same--relatively unknown 80s funk. To me, those particular songs he plays are un-danceable to, which is just a tribute to Ellen's dance skills because she works it out. Even when DJ Jonny plays more current music, they're similar songs. For example, in the same show, he played two Missy Elliott songs. Hello? You're a DJ. Music is (supposedly) your repertoire. Give variety.

In addition, one can tell Mullally doesn't quite have her footing yet. She doesn't even have her own website. (The link above is one of the imdb websites of television.) Nevertheless, I learn new things from both Mullally and DeGeneres. Who knew there was such a thing as laughing yoga? Also, did you know that they're coming up with a drink that will give twice the energy as Red Bull? Did you know they're going to call it Cocaine? How apt.

I've also noticed that Ellen is helping people out more and more, which is good but it only dilutes her show as a comedy. Her show's great sense of humor is a major reason why people tune in. If you can't find it in a mate, watch The Ellen Show. Take that away with charity, and all you're left with is the American Red Cross with air time. I think if she wants to use her fame for world peace, she should do it during her time off camera a la Angelina. Breast cancer awareness-themed episodes are fine, but let's not overdo it. In a recent episode, she presented hypnosis as a viable option to quit smoking, overcome phobias, etc. I just hope the hypnotist, Paul McKenna, doesn't become her Dr. Phil or worse, she becomes Oprah.