Second City - Love 'em or Hate 'em?

[Aldeya]

Didn't care for them on Epic, do not plan to see them again.

[capp]

Love Second City (the original here in Chicago), loved it the first time I saw it on NCL, but seeing the same material on two other ships was disappointing. The beauty of SC is it's spontaneous originality....not a script or the same questions being tossed out to the audience.

[xenagurl]

I've been more amused painting my finger nails. They're the only thing I'd change about NCL's entertainment lineup. I've never ran into a SC group that I thought was good. One was okay. Not good, but okay. There was one woman, ONE, that was ever even truly amusing. The rest were "meh" at best. Which is why I never write about them in reviews. As the saying goes if you have nothing good to say...

 

I've done better improv and it's not my forte.

 

SNL has great comics, Second City doesn't come close but they seem to think that they do. They need to be told otherwise.

[Sauer-kraut]

Love Second City (the original here in Chicago), loved it the first time I saw it on NCL, but seeing the same material on two other ships was disappointing. The beauty of SC is it's spontaneous originality....not a script or the same questions being tossed out to the audience.

 

I was wondering how it would be comparing these 'travelling troupes' to the big players downtown. I did see a show out at the mall area Suburban theater and you could tell they were 'earning' their way up to the downtown theater. I guess the travelling troupes are below the suburban counterparts.

[Kaye from Chicagoland]

As you can tell - we are from Chicagoland and love the Original Second City on Wells Street - We go frequently when they change shows. We liked the traveling troupe but not nearly the quality of the originals. I'm still entertained. The only originals are in Old Town in Chicago on Wells St.

[OPSnorkeler]

We didn't care for them.

[jame_g]

I'm really surprised at these results so far. I thought we were the only ones that felt they weren't our thing.

 

Yeah, after seeing other threads, I was wondering if I was the only one who thought it was totally lame. Guess not!

[bonvoyagie]

On show per cruise is enough for me. I do not like their improv - but some of the sketch comedy is OK. I did not go to any of the special events they put on during the cruise - only the theatre show.

[phrogpilot73]

SNL has great comics, Second City doesn't come close but they seem to think that they do. They need to be told otherwise.

I think you hit the nail on the head for me.

 

I was looking forward to Second City my last cruise, and my wife went with me grudgingly (she's a more dry humor/British comedy fan). I mistakenly thought that as many SNL Alum came from Second City, I'd love it. I didn't. I hardly laughed at all, and it doesn't take much for me to bust a gut.

 

The worst part? It was between Second City and the Comedy Hypnotist (Adults only show). My wife let me pick, because we generally do whatever she wants in port, and whatever I want on the ship. Reports back were that I should have chosen the Comedy Hypnotist (that my wife wanted to see). D'OH!

[yoyocruiser]

Love them. A primary reason we cruise with NCL. Not to everyones liking for sure. It is one choice out of many. I generally dont like or go to the music or dance shows. I do feel NCL has good variety which is more important to me than one group or one show.

[rvsullivan]

After seeing them many times it seems to me that it is a scripted show and basically the same between ships. Second City is known for improv, scripted shows are not improv.

[fergusonvt]

I have only seen them once but DH and I thought they were very funny.

 

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[Arzeena]

Annoying!

[susan0000]

I agree we have seen them several times and it is always the same thing. I preferred stand up!!!!

[d man]

Do not care for them!

[dznymom]

Thanks for all the comments! I have often wondered why they have kept them for so long, but it seems that there are quite a few people that like them. Personally, I (and my group) was very disappointed in the last couple of shows I saw (I felt like I was watching old sitcom reruns) and we actually walked out. I won't bother with them again.

 

I would much prefer more standup!

[dexddd]

Didn't go last time and time before we walked out after 10 minutes. I can't ever remember walking out on any other show.

[Econom405]

On the Sky and Star I did not enjoy them at all. Kind of looked around at everyone laughing wondering how they found it funny. In May on the Dawn though, we found them quite funny. I guess it depends on which troup you see?

[Azure Moon]

Personally I don't think they're that great, not very funny. They really aren't very good at improv, imo. They always seem to fall flat on the true improv and end up falling back on the the lines they've obviously used before from the more predictable statements that are made.

 

I voted 'I can't stand them'. Your post perfectly explains my reason for disliking their shows. I thought I was the only one who felt like the group was phoning in their performances.

[yoyocruiser]

I totally don' t get it. I love them!! it is a big reason i cruise NCL. I hate all those stupid music and dance shows!! LOL!! The talent it takes to do improv is so great. Yes i have seen less than steller shows but i am aware that it is on your feet at the moment and can't always be great. Anyway it is just a risk taking over the top thing that only NCL does while yes, others book more sure thing shows and (yes i have seen some bad shows but that is just part of it) !!

[my_crib_too]

We have seen the show a few times, there seemed to be a general lack of talent in the shows we saw. They must work cheap. :D

[Loujul]

Saw them twice. Once on the Star and once on the Gem. Think they're dated. Boring!!!

[Sea Turtle]

One or two skits put a smile on my face but I don't recall laughing. I walked out probably 3/4 of way through the show--enough. I prefer a stand-up comedian or hypnotist. :D

 

I voted 'they're okay' because I might try another one of their shows but I'll definitely choose a seat at the back of the venue! ;)

[Hikini]

Just so-so. I wish NCL would change to something else.

[luddite]

They probably work pretty cheap.