The complete first episode of the new Comedy Central show STELLA is available for viewing online:

http://www.comedycentral.com/events/...ok/index.jhtml

Here's the show's main site:
http://www.comedycentral.com/shows/stella/index.jhtml

I got the new issue of Spin in the mail today and it came with a DVD with the first episode on it (haven't watched it yet). Looking forward to this show. The shorts they have online are funny.

I think this will be a hit and miss show. You'll either love it or hate it. It works for me in short spurts, but over the half hour, I really had some "ugh" moments. The comedy is very.... specific. I'm not sure how to describe it. Just strange, though I know it's the sort of comedy that will appeal to others and totally fail for others. Sort of like Napoloen Dynomite.

I found the structure of the show to be interesting. It's promoted as "not a sketch comedy show, not a sitcom." In reality it's a bit of a combination of both: a series of sketches based around a central storyline and characters. So it's like the Monty Python movies The Holy Grail and Life of Brian, or even more specifically like the Monty Python TV episode "The Cycling Tour."

As for the humor, it's very absurdist. Again, it's promoted as "dumb comedy in a suit," which isn't far off the mark, although "dumb comedy" in this sense doesn't mean fart and poop jokes. The humor isn't derived so much from the characters or situations but rather the odd, out of left field things that keep happening. It reminds me a bit of Aqua Teen Hunger Force or similar Adult Swim shows. They are always in suits though.

For my part, I found this first episode to be very funny. Hopefully they're able to keep the quality up throughout the rest of the season.

That Michael Ian Black guy is the most unfunny guy to ever live! So i just cant look forward this show.

Why do you think this? Stella's past work isn't really anything like this.

I'm not sure about this. They have a full short based around Showalter having the "farts". I don't know how much different this show will be.

I'm basing my judgements on the first episode, which I watched online at the link provided in the first post of this thread.

Not related to the show, but to the group, The Onion interviewed them a few years back:
http://www.theonionavclub.com/featur...issue=3929&f=1

Reminds me of the Tenacious D shows

the first episode just aired. great stuff I've been a fan of these guys since they were in the State. lots of fun

I want to listen to funk rock

I have a compromise, how about we listen to funk rock.

Missed it last night, but I'll catch it online - thanks for the link.

I'm a big fan of The State and their related projects ("Viva Variety," "Reno 911," Wet Hot American Summer) and this didn't disappoint. Funny stuff.

His being on it is reason enough for me to tune out.

i lasted almost 6 mins.. what a piece of crap

This was my 1st and last episode- This is such a piece of crap.
I hope it dies a fast death.

I enjoyed the show....alot. They humor was really out there and I can see why some people wouldnt like it.

I saw some of their act previously and didn't really care for it. I actually really liked Stella, which surprised me. Looking forward to seeing it again.

Michael Ian Black is in this? Did VH1 run out of "I Love the ______" shows already?

Funny in concept, but not in practice. That was the most unfunny half hour since the Norm Macdonald special.

It's very absurd comedy. Without all the dildo jokes it's bound to fail. They can't act gay enough for it to be as funny as the online skits. But, I applaud Com Central for giving them a show.

I just wish the members of the Upright Cititzen's Brigade would get a show. They apparently filmed a special for Bravo recently.

I see this more as a conceptual art show. It is not really supposed to be "funny", and it succeeds in this aspect.

You mean aside from the show that aired for three seasons?

Hell, I'd be happy just to get the rest of the series on DVD. You'd think it'd be a no-brainer to capitalize on Amy Poeler's high-profile SNL gig.

I'm surprised there are not more comments about this show. I am finding it very entertaining. The episode about the Office Party was hillarious.

I liked the Office Party episode best so far. Helps that it had Sam Rockwell & Paul Rudd in it.