An unassuming gem of a comedy quiz podcast, Alex Smith, Jessica Kessinger and Tony Lombardi’s ‘Probably Not’ brings a consistent level of amazing so impressive that it surpasses many equivalent professional shows available. What with its oodles of charm, belly laughter and spirit of consumate silliness, not to mention it’s position as a showcase for ‘proper’ indie music and you find a show that will undoubtedly be one of the most creative, entertaining and unexpectedly brilliant additions to your catalogue.
To say a show is ‘unexpectedly great’ is often a backhanded compliment, laden with the reality that one arrived with low expectations, were rewarded with something average, and thus came out insubstantially and over emphatically impressed by what was really just something median. In this sense, it is almost a shame that Probably Not deserves the same adverb/adjective combination, but instead for utterly merited reasons: as a show which is instead built on usurping expectation. Beyond their utilisation of the standard and very much classic gameshow premise, wherein a number of competitors join a quizmaster for a series of challenges and face off for points and prizes, Alex, Jessica and Tony forge something much grander. Going beyond the norm to mix puerility and inanity with deceptive elegance, blending silliness and brilliance without breaking a sweat, making something truly befitting the ‘comedy quiz show’ mantle.
Mr Smith, lost in the wiring.
Probably Not’s greatest and primary achievement is in its ability to bottle the spark of fizz and excitement. An underrated skill, the way in which Alex, his judges and his guests capture this electricity is through an unremitting and always amusing blend of improvisation and silliness. From the unexpectable questions to the often inexplicable answers, right through to the enirely improvised and often semi-awkward segment of ‘the situation,’ this constantly unplanned and easily excited nature provides the show with an endearingly ramshackle and ‘unprofessional’ atmosphere, wherein the lunatics have not only taken over the asylum, but have also picked it up and moved it to a much more fun place down the street, putting up flyers and speakers for good measure. This unexpectableness of content directly marries with the principle of the show, bringing as it does a fantastic comedic tension to the show, all but ensuring the cast has easily as much fun as the listener; and when twinned with some comedy excellent in it’s daftness, Probably Not becomes a pretty undeniable product.
Ms Kessinger, lost in paper hearts.
Much as many of the compliments I’ve applied to Probably Not come with the prefix ‘un-‘, it’s strengths lie in what it is and not what it isn’t. Filled as it is with moments of utter darling and comedy that jumps between delectable obscenity and flight of fancy ludicrousness, rarely missing a beat in its pursuit off daftness, it’s charm, it’s hosts and its basic bonhomie are the key weapons in a veritable armoury of addictive factors. Matchng up beautifully as an overall product, Probably Not is a podcast of vast quality, that in its ramshackle charm and grasp of its comedic elements place it well above its closest competitors in terms of sheer joyous entertainment. And that’s a pretty good thing to be able to boast.
You can find Probably Not at probablynotcast.com, or on iTunes. Dame Kessinger is on twitter @thehenryk, Count Lombardi is @possumparty, and hell, follow @LydiaBurrell for news of Captain Smith’s fantastic, beautiful, devastating band, in lieu of a personal account. @ProbablyNotCast also makes itself known on the twitter, so go make yourself known to it! Get out of here!