Michael Showalter: The Heeb Intern Review
By Montana Leonard
When I first heard the title of Michael Showalter’s first comedy album, I thought it might be a reference to Katz’s Delicatessen, but Sandwiches & Cats has nothing to with the iconic landmark on Houston Street. Nevertheless, the album is a tasty, comedic serving of standup and songs. The stand-up tracks are what you would expect—Showalter’s trademark mix of the morose and mundane. He riffs on adventure travel, Starbuck’s and being confused with Screech of Saved by the Bell fame. The highlight comes when he discovers that an audience member has brought her cat to the show. Hilarity ensues and an album title is born.
The songs, if you can call them those, range in subject matter—from tales of summer camp to erotic readings. Showalter shows off his writing chops with tracks like “The Apartment,” “The Mountain” and the passionately-presented and well-devised “Sandwich Commandments.”
Featuring guest spots by Janeane Garafalo and Eugene Mirman, the album is a good, quick listen. Possessing the rare combination of strong poop jokes and intellect isn’t easy and Sandwiches & Cats doesn’t disappoint.
When I first heard the title of Michael Showalter’s first comedy album, I thought it might be a reference to Katz’s Delicatessen, but Sandwiches & Cats has nothing to with the iconic landmark on Houston Street. Nevertheless, the album is a tasty, comedic serving of standup and songs. The stand-up tracks are what you would expect—Showalter’s trademark mix of the morose and mundane. He riffs on adventure travel, Starbuck’s and being confused with Screech of Saved by the Bell fame. The highlight comes when he discovers that an audience member has brought her cat to the show. Hilarity ensues and an album title is born.
The songs, if you can call them those, range in subject matter—from tales of summer camp to erotic readings. Showalter shows off his writing chops with tracks like “The Apartment,” “The Mountain” and the passionately-presented and well-devised “Sandwich Commandments.”
Featuring guest spots by Janeane Garafalo and Eugene Mirman, the album is a good, quick listen. Possessing the rare combination of strong poop jokes and intellect isn’t easy and Sandwiches & Cats doesn’t disappoint.
comments
submit a comment01.21.08 at 4:01 pm
have no clue as to what kind of cat the audience member brought to that show .
just saying that the cat on the album cover is one ugly feline.
01.25.08 at 8:01 am
I loved THE BAXTER!!