Instagram/@rejectedjokesThe actors Schwartz, McKenna, Tarver, and Ozeri are performing a very entertaining sketch which could not be better depicting the absurdity of the straightforward recording. This coming Friday, the group will be in Columbus, Ohio for their last show.
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The video is a full ten-minute improvised awkwardness lesson. To begin with, Ben Schwartz says, ‘I am going to take another shot at your reverse.’ Next is a painful but funny loop of miscommunication. Schwartz always inquires from his off-stage partner Johnny whether they are doing a recording, and he always gets confused as the reply. ‘Are we recording, Johnny? Yes, we are. OK, just say that I am never going to say hello to you,” tells Schwartz, mixing up the instruction and performance so subtly that it is hardly recognizable.
When Schwartz, who seems to be right next to Johnny, greets him with a very dry ‘Hey, how you doing?’ the joke has moved on to a higher level. The greeting invokes a strong response from Johnny: ‘I am never going to say hello to you.’ The whole conversation, which is skillfully constructed around a simple premise, turns out to be a comedy goldmine owing to the actors’ commitment and timing. It is like a little incident in everyday life that has been turned into art, demonstrating the reason why the live performance has a loyal audience.
The audience’s reactions to the clip were immediate and completely positive. Many who have seen the show live relived the moment again. One user wrote, ‘This had me in stitches at the Chicago show! Still quoting it a month later! What a great show!!’ Another one simply stated, ‘Just the best, always,’ thereby reflecting the warm reception that the group usually receives.
Certain moments in the short video were immediately pointed out by the commentators as highlights. ‘“Hey, how you doin?” 😂😂😂 Gil kills me!’ one person highlighted, emphasizing a particular way of delivering a line. Another person found the main point hilariously funny, claiming ‘”I’m never saying hello to you” has never been funnier.’ The essence of the bit—the irritation created by leftover tech troubles—was undoubtedly relatable to the audience.
Moreover, the clip was a great advertisement for the live performance. A newcomer remarked, ‘🙈 these clips always make me laugh. I am definitely adding watching a show to my list 🤡.’ Others had already made plans to go, as a couple of them said, ‘We will be at the Columbus show!’ There also seemed to be a request for more content, since one person wrote that they should ‘drop the full shows on YouTube, they’d go crazy,’ indicating that there is not only an audience at the live venues but also one online.
One very interesting comment came from a user who had known one of the actors from a different era. ‘Gil Ozeri, that such a long time name hasn’t been heard by me. Back then, the Snapchat account was the GOAT,’ they said, pointing to the various platforms that the actors’ paths crossed. At the same time, another user seized the moment to highlight the bit’s meta-humor, saying, ‘rumor has it they will never record,’ thus, prolonging the joke beyond the clip’s confines.
Ben Schwartz, mostly recognized for his portrayal of characters in the ‘Parks and Recreation’ series and the ‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ movie franchise, has always championed live improvisational comedy. Rejected Jokes, being the immediate link to that vital aspect, not only gives him but also his extremely talented friends the opportunity to create on-the-spot comedy during the show. The promotional clip is an ideal teaser: it is smart, silly, and makes one curious to see how the chaos of one night will be. The group’s live performances are famously chaotic and hilarious.
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The Rejected Jokes of this year will have their last show in Columbus on Friday. This follows a series of sold-out shows across the country. Clips like this one are a delight for those fans who are not able to be at the show because they expose the kind of incredible funny chemistry only on-stage presence of these actors can create. It reminds that the unpredictably the major haha might come from the tiny and most tedious breakdown in communication. In other projects, Schwartz has discussed his creative process, and he is known for his accidental comedic genius in various settings.
