Rory Scovel’s Inconsistent New Special Is Undermined By Its Structure
Images courtesy of Netflix
Correction: Originally this review quoted Scovel as repeating the phrase “anal sex” at the start of his special. He actually just says the word “anal.”
Rory Scovel has long reveled in playing the trickster. Early footage shows him confusing and then dazzling a Just for Laughs audience when he takes the stage speaking in a nihilist German accent and confesses to stealing old people. A later appearance on Conan involved a different accent; he played a redneck character—half-full beer can and all. And his shaming of “Day Moon” on the now-defunct The Pete Holmes show will forever live as a cackle-inducing moment. Scovel’s strength lies in his ability to don a character at a mere finger snap, and create elaborate, absurd stories emanating from their point of view. They’re like modern-day adult fairytales only he could dream up.
In his first Netflix special, Rory Scovel Tries Stand-Up for the First Time, those moments still occur in true Scovel fashion, but they are flashes too few and far between. He creates creepy gas station guy, Kathy who never chips in for the bill, and the crappy young baseball player Kevin, each of whom allows him to fly off into cockamamie fantasies. These wild bits are not told from their POV, but rather allow Scovel to play a reactionary character. It’s the natural progression from his earlier impressions, and it’s in such briefly recounted scenes that he flexes his comedic muscles. But such reveries don’t last long.