February 24-March 2, 2005

mixpicks

Luna Mission

by A.D. Amorosi

comedy

I'm really kinda glad that, for this show, Eugene Mirman got away from working with the Late Night with Conan O'Brien crew (like Andy Blitz) and constant touring partner Demetri Martin. He had to be in fear of turning into the Zeppo Marx of downtown NYC, amid the caustic absurdity of its comedy scene. Actually, I'm glad he got out of doing small clubs, period — he looks too tall there, too giantly awkward. Now, on the TLA stage, he looks just right. Besides, he's got a new slew of sidekicks, all of whom appeared at Luna Lounge's "Eating It" standup scene, which is moving to a new venue this week. Like Mike Birbiglia, the Letterman Show frequenter whose cheery, preppy demeanor hides an impiousness toward cracker Caucasians most dastardly. And Rob Cantrell: He seemed like such a mild-mannered chap when he lost NBC's Last Comic Standing mantle during its first season. He was a nice, handsome boy; didn't work too blue. Then I saw him all scruffed out opening for Mitch Hedberg and Stephen Lynch. The corduroy was wrinkled, his glasses were fogged. Either Mitch got him high or Cantrell had grown up.

But, hey, he was on network television, far beyond the Premium Blend crowd Mirman needs to get past. So this TLA grouping is nice, Eugene. Next time, try to hook up with Jessi Klein from VH1's Best Week Ever and Topic A with Tina Brown. She's cute, too.

Rob Cantrell, Eugene Mirman and Mike Birbiglia, Sat., Feb. 26, 9 p.m., $12-$14, Theater of Living Arts, 334 South St., 215-922-1011.