6 Reasons Why 'Comedy Nights' Doesn't Work Anymore

Comedy Nights is reduced to just insipid slapstick comedy (Photo Credit)

While switching channels recently, I ran into a recent episode of Comedy Nights with Kapil. This used to be my favourite program on TV for a long time. I have lived on re-runs of the comedy show. I lost touch with the program as I got busy and couldn’t catch up with episodes online. (I haven’t watched live TV in years!) The last I remember was the revamp of the old set and the repetitive punch lines that had lost punch. 

When I ran into it again, I wanted to see what’s up now. And I could tolerate it for exactly 10 minutes. Here’s why?

1. The current set is garish beyond words. What led to that change is still a mystery to me

2. The gigs have become insipid and repetitive

3. The character acts have become sheer slapstick comedy. I was never a fan of physical fight on the program

4. It’s run for 2 years too long for it to retain freshness/novelty

5. The verbal wife bashing, another thing I have always hated, is almost nauseous now (sic!)

6. It’s just another film promotion program with no original, creative content in it. 

Asking Akshay Kumar if Prabhu Deva wore a vest under his shirt, to check the working relationship between the two, is definitely a new low in the program. And he got a fitting response in the typical Akki style that the question make no sense. Kapil might next ask if Prabhudeva wore undies under his pants. Sheer nonsense! 

Comedy nights did bring back comedy into fashion. And how! But unfortunately it has been dragged for long enough to fall from grace. It's sad to see something so unique deteriorate to this and I have no clue why Kapil or the channel may want to continue to telecast it. It could be a popular film promotion scene and the star power might be bringing in the TRPs. But if you ask me, it's time to call it a day. And maybe come back another day with a fresh look, new characters and better gigs.

I hope Kapil and his team will consider this soon.

TV Series 2 - Comedy Nights with Kapil

Only an alien from another planet (and Sonam Kapoor) doesn’t know about Comedy Nights with Kapil. The phenomenal comedy show hit the saas-bahu ridden TV screens like refreshing rains on parched land. Having grown up watching shows like Shrimaan Shrimati and Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai, it always irked me that the denizens of Ekta Kapoor’s serials had usurped the idiot box leaving no scope for the genre of light hearted comedy.

To me, Comedy Nights is a unique endeavour because:

1. The Comedy King, Kapil Sharma deserves a bow for single-handedly reviving comedy on Indian Television. And how!! The TRPs have shown no signs of dipping since its beginning. The gig has repetitive elements and still hasn’t lost its charm. The characters are endearing. The CNWK merchandise has sprung up on its own. And the show has a fan base across the world. Such is the undeniable impact of the program, that all television awards have a separate category of awards for comedy to represent the show. Such gems are born when people believe in themselves and the lady luck shines on them for that extra support!

2. It stands witness to the courageous will of a person to do something. Kapil is not the pioneer of the comedy genre. There have been great comedians even before he became popular. But it was his historic initiative to invest his own money - which wouldn’t have been easy considering his humble background - to try something that no one had done before. It is definitely a first. And such things don’t come with a guarantee. And yet, aren’t we all thankful to him for doing this!

3. Comedy Nights has turned out to be such a wonderful avenue for comic talent to showcase itself. Before this show, I don’t think actors with such calibre for comedy had many opportunities to exhibit their talent. And every character on Comedy Nights is such a delight to watch with the endless repertoire of pranks each comes up with. Another awesome phenomenon on the show is men dressed as women. From Ali Asgar to Kiku 
Sharda, it’s hard to believe they aren’t women when they are in character. The boundless energy and talent they bring to the show is almost incredible. Also, with Kapil at its helm, the show acts like a mentor to anyone who aspires to comic brilliance. Even senior artists like Raju Srivastava, who has been a household name has found an avenue to show his talent through the show.

4. Apart from all the great factors that hold the show together, one cant help but keep coming back to the linchpin, Kapil. He is such a fantastic actor himself, playing varied characters with ease. The Punjab cop, Shamshre Paaji to a little innocent kid, a cranky old lady or the beauty parlour wali! He is so well in control of his part on the show that he literally holds the show together. He definitely has a natural flair for comedy and his simplicity is a crowd puller.
 

Comedy Nights and Kapil Sharma has set an unprecedented example in comedy. Anything that comes up in the future can only hope to be a poor imitation of the cult show. People with ailments improve on their symptoms watching the show. Bollywood stars need Comedy Nights to promote their films and not vice versa!

Truly the victory of the common man. And no political pun intended!

More power to Kapil and his entire team!