‘Last Comic Standing’ review: Did Joe Machi, Nikki Carr, Rod Man make finale?
We’re at the point now on “Last Comic Standing” where almost every little thing about a set can make or break a performer, and we certainly feel the same thing right now after watching / listening to all of the sets tonight. Once again, everyone was funny. We felt like the elimination of Rocky LaPorte last time was obvious, but this one was a big “not so much.”
Before we get to the results of tonight’s show, let’s go ahead and share where we would rank all of the comics tonight based on their standup alone.
4. Lachlan Patterson – A very good set from Lachlan, and we laughed especially at his joke about pants. The problem we have with him right now is that he came after Rod Man, who literally destroyed and was funnier than he’s ever been. The weight of expectations was there in a big way.
3. Joe Machi – This is the lowest that we’ve ever ranked Joe, mostly because we feel like some of the comments here are right about him changing. It’s nice for him personally that he has confidence but at the same time, it doesn’t make his act as funny as it was before this round.
2. Nikki Carr – Nikki did a great job tonight, mostly because for the second straight week, she did something that we never would have imagined her doing. There was singing, storytelling, and a sparkly outfit that was, in her words, like a disco ball.
1. Rod Man – Of course, Rod Man was very funny with his bits about “confident breasts,” outfits his wife takes to bed, head wraps, and other ridiculousness. everything in his act is so relatable, and he makes it so funny. We really do like our Jerry Seinfeld comparisons right now.
Results – Seeing Joe leave wasn’t really a shocker, mostly because of the fact that he had a little bit of feedback. The irony, though, is that had he kept his original persona and not starting to get comfortable, we feel like he may have actually won. Grade: B.
Who was your favorite on “Last Comic Standing” tonight? Let us know some of your thoughts now with a comment, and head over here for some further scoop worth laughing about via our newsletter.
Photo: NBC
David Peterson
August 14, 2014 @ 7:27 am
And yes, I didn’t bother watching the final.
David Peterson
August 14, 2014 @ 7:26 am
Realized this show was rigged when Joe got eliminate. What a joke!
linda
August 11, 2014 @ 7:48 pm
What a rip off! Joe was by far the funniest followed by Rod man. It should have came down to those two! Joe is so likeable! Hope he goes on to do great things! You were robbed, Joe!!
Colleen E.
August 11, 2014 @ 12:11 pm
Rod Man’s piece on breast milk made me gag–bodily fluids seriously should be kept off limits. In fact his entire set was bad. It didn’t have any smart writing. Lachlan was terrible too. Joe was completely robbed.
Ray
August 11, 2014 @ 3:31 pm
I agree. (with the his whole set was not funny line.) I have RARELY found anything of his funny. He keeps repeating the same sentence over and over while flailing his hand over his head….there isn’t really anything in his writing that I find exceptionally clever or funny, with the possible exception of …”you can make biscuits, maybe” line. However, my brother thought he was hilarious and that Joe Machi was not……but last night was the1st time he’s seen either one of these comics.
WestonF01
August 10, 2014 @ 5:13 am
Everybody hatin on Rod Man, c’mon guys he’s killed it for weeks. He was better than Machi, and might even beat him head to head at this time.
HOWEVER I agree with everyone that Nikki is terrible (Though the judges like her so…), and Laughlin was simply not that funny. I even laughed more at Nikky than him.
Though I’d have rather seen a Laughlin, Rod Man, Machi final, I could have understood a Rod Man, Nikky, Machi final.
This is a horrible finale and Joe Machi deserves to be there. I’ll buy your shirt dude!
Fronezie
August 9, 2014 @ 2:25 pm
Was hoping that Rodman and Joe were the final two. If Carr wins LCS, I will never watch this show again. Rooting for Rodman to win, as he is the funniest.
JEY
August 9, 2014 @ 12:54 am
I agree with everyone here. I wanted Joe to win the whole thing. I was very upset. I like Rod Man but I don’t find Niki or Laughlin (sp?) funny at all. We’ll Joe Machi has a fan here I ‘ll be buying all his DVD’s.
reb
August 8, 2014 @ 8:07 pm
No matter I think Joe Machi going to stardom .very talented comedian
reb
August 8, 2014 @ 8:03 pm
I think Bob Machi was #2 next to Rodman being #1 ..he was so much funnier than the other two comics
Connie Kosuda
August 8, 2014 @ 7:32 pm
joe was the funniest – I guess the wayans brother doesn’t understand that a talented person can have more than one “tone” / more than one “voice”/ more than one same old same old persona / his family never figured that out either / mostly they are vulgar and stereotypical /
Nikki is not funny – but a “crowd pleaser” – puh leeze.
Bmf09598
August 8, 2014 @ 3:14 pm
I simply do not know how Nikki Carr has made it to the Final 3. I remember being surprised that she made it to the final 24, surprised that she made it to the final 10, and then surprised when all of the judges kept singing her praises throughout the competition. Her set last week was the closest she came to being funny, but I still thought she deserved to go home over Rocky. I honestly think the producers messed up from a few weeks ago when they eliminated Monroe Martin, where they should have just let both of them go through. Now the Final 3 are filled with the best of the Final 10 (Rod Man) and then two comics that were somewhere in the middle. Monroe vs. Rod Man would make people watch. Rod Man vs. Nikki Carr? I won’t even watch because I know the feminism outcome that will occur.
I didn’t laugh once during Nikki’s set this week and the audience/judges hardly laughed either. Something must be going on here behind the scenes to help put her through.
Pearl
August 8, 2014 @ 3:13 pm
I was very bothered by Keenan’s catfish comment. So what if Joe is becoming more confident! That does not make him a sociopath! I think Joe comes across as being very genuine and nice. I get this weird feeling when I watch the show, with the exception of Roseanne, that a lot of people are jealous of Joe.
Doug
August 10, 2014 @ 7:23 pm
That bugged me a lot too. I see Joe as kind of an Andy Kaufman type who chooses to live in that persona, but then he’ll throw you a curveball and put on a different face. It’s a higher level of comedy that went over their heads, apparently. Whatever — the best comedians to come out of that show were the ones who didn’t win.
kentjo
August 8, 2014 @ 2:34 pm
“A white guy, a black guy and a lesbian walk into the finals….” (You can fill in the punchline).
Joe took a big risk that did not pay off. He was obviously ripping on the majority of comics who start their set by attempting to connect with their audience. Then they constantly refer to the audience after each joke (esp. If a joke bombs). Every time he said “hi gang”,”right gang”‘ et al, I about fell out of my seat. Roseanne picked up on it; Keanan obviously did not. Joe Machi was brilliant! Unfortunately the judges were not.
artaud49
August 8, 2014 @ 3:30 pm
I agree completely with this…Joe got much bigger laughs than anyone. I think Rodman had the best set, but I would have booted Lachlan awhile ago. I don’t think he’s funny and I can’t stand his personality. If now, Rodman doesn’t win, it is a shame.
doctorivy
August 8, 2014 @ 1:18 pm
Joe Machi should seriously consider a sex change, tanning, and changing teams. He’s sail through.
Tim
August 8, 2014 @ 12:53 pm
Joe Machi was the best of them all. Unbelievable. All season, and last night. Rodman was second, all season too.
peter
August 8, 2014 @ 11:53 am
The decision tonight was the biggest joke of all. Keep the producers out of the judging!
Amber
August 8, 2014 @ 11:51 am
Nikki Carr needed to be eliminated several shows ago ( I won’t have put her through to begin with). Joe Machi was one of the best and it’s a shame someone so good had to go while you have someone like Nikki carr still on. How many jokes can you tell about being fat and liking food?
Mel
August 8, 2014 @ 9:49 am
Thought this show was about who had the best set. It went Rodman, Joe Machi, then finally Lachlan. Nikki was below average today. Yet she goes through because of feminism. I honestly don’t get it. Rodman and Joe deserve to be top 2. Lost respect for Russel Peter for not standing up for true comedy. I never had respect for Rossane or the whitest black judge Keanen. Why are they even judges? I will let Keanen slide, but Rosane in comedy? she cant even make a baby laugh with peekaboo.
KC
August 8, 2014 @ 6:48 am
Very disappointed that Nikki and Lachland won over Joe. I love Rod Man and I love Joe. Joe may not have been his best “nervous guy” tonight, but he still was way better than either of them. Rod Man reminds me of Bill Cosby; I love the way he tells stories instead of just telling jokes. At least it will be easy to choose the Last Comic Standing with Joe out of the running. If Rod Man is not the winner I will agree with the comments below about the competition being rigged.
Jsolis
August 8, 2014 @ 6:26 am
Joe Machi was the best of them all. Unbelievable. Last time I would watch this show…
gailsuzann
August 8, 2014 @ 5:56 am
Unbelievable. I agree with all three of you who posted regarding tonight’s episode. Nikki Carr??? Seriously? I have very rarely laughed, ever, at her stuff. She stays and Joe goes?? Disgraceful. I think you might have nailed it, Bobby…
Bobby
August 8, 2014 @ 3:16 am
Rigged. Nikki Carr will win cause she is a black lesbian just like Wanda Sykes who calls the shots. This women isn’t funny she doesn’t tell jokes and says the same thing every time. I’m fat and ugly and look like a man. Poor me. The show is crooked and dishonest still after all these years.
kooky pirate
August 8, 2014 @ 3:59 am
Couldn’t agree more. Why is nikki still around?!! Not even close to being as funny as the other three. Joe going home means I don’t even watch next week. He had the biggest laughs. Should have let the audience vote.
Bobby
August 8, 2014 @ 7:07 am
That is what I said. I’ve watched this whole time for Joe. Now I’ll skip the finale because I could care less. I think Lachlan is good too. You can really feel the racist tension the entire show. In the judging when Joe battled Monroe especially. I think Karlos got kicked off the show somehow watching close. They edit it a lot different I think.
TexasWave
August 8, 2014 @ 3:14 am
I did think Rod Man was funnier than Joe tonight, but Joe was still my fave. I was shocked at the voting… Guess they wanted Joe to stay insecure, who knows. I am disappointed, but think Joe will be around for a long time.