Now in its second season (I did not watch the first), "Undateable" is a show with an unusual conceit: not only is the action live, but the actors acknowledge that, and the show centers on that fact. The actors interact with the audience. Cameras show the audience in the studio. They have a live band that interacts with the actors and the audience. In short, the concept of "breaking" while in character is not only acceptable, but encouraged.
I have seen criticisms in the posts saying that such breaking is "amateurish". Well, this is a comedy; it's not like they are performing "Hamlet". And when it's intentional, it's not amateurish.
I have attended many plays, both amateur and professional. Some of the funniest moments I have seen onstage involved actors breaking character and embracing or enchancing the humor in the situation. What's interesting is that it happens (almost) exclusively with professionals. Amateurs are not secure enough to take the risk. So it's not amateurish.
That being said, this show is not for everyone, because not everyone will appreciate that conceit. It can come across as too cute if not controlled, which is where the director comes in.
In "Undateable", they even have recognizable guests who play "themselves".
And they sometimes treat their fellow actor as both the character and as the actor playing that character.
For me, this is like attending a play, keeping the immediacy and the risk of a live performance.
I have seen criticisms in the posts saying that such breaking is "amateurish". Well, this is a comedy; it's not like they are performing "Hamlet". And when it's intentional, it's not amateurish.
I have attended many plays, both amateur and professional. Some of the funniest moments I have seen onstage involved actors breaking character and embracing or enchancing the humor in the situation. What's interesting is that it happens (almost) exclusively with professionals. Amateurs are not secure enough to take the risk. So it's not amateurish.
That being said, this show is not for everyone, because not everyone will appreciate that conceit. It can come across as too cute if not controlled, which is where the director comes in.
In "Undateable", they even have recognizable guests who play "themselves".
And they sometimes treat their fellow actor as both the character and as the actor playing that character.
For me, this is like attending a play, keeping the immediacy and the risk of a live performance.