steveanderson-07633

It's hard to tell if the totally unfunny, boring, overlong material of Amy Schumer's latest act is just an anomaly, or if talented, edgy Schumer is no more. This was awful. I really wanted to like The Leather Special. I think Amy Schumer is funny, having seen her previous stand up acts and that Bill Hader movie. She told clever jokes. The Leather Special has no jokes. I didn't laugh once. My wife didn't laugh once. Amy describes gross subjects while making gross faces. That's it. That's the whole special - or I assume it is. I quit watching with about fifteen minutes left, but I saw enough to be assured that it wasn't going to get any more funny. I'm not making fun of her weight because being heavy doesn't matter in comedy, but I think her appearance merits a mention. She wears a smallish, tight leather dress that along with a bad hairdo choice and horrible make-up creates an unflattering, swollen look that is a negative distraction. I don't think an entertainer's political views matter, so I don't hold it against them, but political comedy tends to be tedious at best. Schumer is politically active, which is her business. I appreciate that she didn't overload this act with politics - some, not much. Two out of ten if for nothing more than a star's worth of encouragement for funny Amy to come back.

Let's be clear, this show is awful. But if you can appreciate it for what it is - a blend of daytime soap opera and prime-time WB show with pretty much nothing to do with the books - it becomes a guilty pleasure. James Remar and Ivana Baquero embarrass themselves less than the other cast members, specifically John Rhys Davies, who's never been too embarrassed to accept any role. I don't begrudge Terry Brooks for cashing a check. It's been over 30 years - Spielberg was never going to call. If the intent was camp, this show has succeeded. The cringe worthy dialogue and acting, the anachronisms, the inconsistencies and plot holes, and the brazen idiocy of The Shanarra Chronicles make it worth a watch. Think Jon Waters meets Twilight.