Review of I'm with Busey

I'm with Busey (2003– )
Kaufman style humor
18 July 2003
First of all, for those wondering "is this real", let me put an end to the suspense. It is not. The show has writers; it is a scripted work of comedy, not reality TV. The premise and humor runs along the same lines as another show from the same network, "Project Searchlight", that starred Dennis Leary. The idea is to take a reality concept that tv execs all seem to want to duplicate (i.e. reality shows based on the lives of eccentric semi-famous poeople) and parody the concept itself by stretching it to the point of absurdity. The elements of the show are all the same as others of the same genre, but taken to their logical extreme. So in "I'm with Busey", you don't just make Busey eccentric, you make him down right bat-sh*t crazy. Many (most) viewers of the show will find themselves wondering if it's possible that anyone could be that off and not be committed to a mental institution. Do you laugh or feel pitty? And that's the humor of the show. Much like the preferred comedic style of the late great Andy Kaufman, the real laughter of the show is in realizing that the show is laughing at you. Or, more specifically, at the public that eats up the garbage of these types of reality shows. Approaching "I'm with Busey" with this in mind, the show is a well written and acted parody walking that fine line between the ridiculous and the absurd. I don't know about a whole season, but it is definitely worth watching for a few episodes.
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