SFist: SF Sketchfest Review: Friday Night's Dr. Jonathan Katz Professional Therapist and Patients

BillyShears

Mon, 21 Jan 2008 00:05:26 -0800

I picked Saturday's show specifically because Jon Benjamin was going to be there. But the show in general outside of him reprising his role as Ben - he did a good job of that! - was amazing. It just makes me miss the cartoon even more. :( But it did also remind me why I like Katz so much: He's really good at playing the straight man AND delivering the joke.

Steve Portigal

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 19:14:55 -0800

Saturday nite: B.J. Novak was one of the patients; I guess a surprise? Samm Levine was in the audience, FWIW. The interactions between Tom Snyder and Katz were really awkward. Snyder has no timing, little presence, and couldn't play a therapist (even in a comedic setting) at all convincingly; he just kept searching for various things to talk about, like he was unrehearsed. The best part was the improv-y aspects of the interactions between Katz and his patients; Katz would sometimes crack up on the verge of hysteria, especially Mirman; who never seemed to get into his prepared routine. Kindler delivered the most satisfying, in terms of what the show was like, at least, bit. Jon Benjamin is a huge favorite but I couldn't decide if he was really playing Ben as I remembered him. The show was short, less than 80 minutes, and awkward in parts (every time a patient left or entered) but was filled with laughs and a great sense of performers really working together and having fun together.

EclipseTuliphead

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 18:42:46 -0800

I'll say it before someone else does: "schlerosis" should be "sclerosis" in your last paragraph. Otherwise, nice writeup! This is a show I'd definitely have liked to see; I'm a fan of the original Dr. Katz too and am glad to hear the style still works and the wit's still there. I do have tix to the KITH show on the 27th, though - looking forward to it.