UNDATEABLE: Live from the Studio Audience

Last night, NBC’s Undateable did what very few sitcoms attempt: a live episode. This isn’t the first time (hey we all know 30 Rock did it), but this episode was an hour long rather than the standard half-hour and was filled with so many guest stars that were from plenty of Executive Producer Bill Lawrence’s older shows and other very famous guest stars.

UNDATEABLE — “A Live Show Walks Into A Bar” Episode 209 — Pictured: Ed Sheeran as himself — (Photo by: Darren Michaels/NBC/Warner Bros.)

The first guest that started a running gag for the whole episode was Ed Sheeran, who sang a different song to open up each show before being ushered off stage by Justin. What happened next were a series of slaps because Ed was rightly angered at being off the stage after one song. The other part of the episode involved if Shelley could make more money in tips than Brett, and if Justin or Danny could get a date with a very pretty background singer (Victoria Justice). The loser of that bet had to have his chest waxed, which happened live on stage at each show.

UNDATEABLE — “A Live Show Walks Into A Bar” Episode 209 — Pictured: (l-r) Donald Faison as Donald, Zach Braff as Zach — (Photo by: Darren Michaels/NBC/Warner Bros)

As an audience member, the fun of the show was watching each new guest star arrive on set and seeing what they were doing as part of the plot. Seeing Braff and Faison together again, and just as much like their Scrubs characters as possible was amazing. Seeing Minnie Driver in the first show (to be changed to Kate Walsh in the second show) and Christa Miller being friends trying to seduce Shelley was just as fun, if not just because they all took the time from their own work to help. Beyond just the fun of the guest cast, the live aspect was what made the hour. Neither show as perfect, but the little slips and flums were exciting to see – no show is perfect – even if we see polished versions most of the time. There was also the part where celebrities were playing against their usual persona; who knew that Dr Drew Pinsky could be a jerk and steal money? I didn’t.

UNDATEABLE — “A Live Show Walks Into A Bar” Episode 209 — Pictured: (l-r) Ron Funches as Shelly, Dr. Drew Pinsky as Himself — (Photo by: Darren Michaels/NBC/Warner Bros)

If you missed the episodes, you can catch the east coast feed and the west coast feed.

UNDATEABLE — “A Live Show Walks Into A Bar” Episode 209 — Pictured: (l-r) Ron Funches as Shelly, Bridgit Mendler as Candace, Bianca Kajlich as Leslie, Brent Morin as Justin, Chris D’Elia as Danny, Ed Sheeran as himself, Rick Glassman as Burski, David Fynn as Brett — (Photo by: Darren Michaels/NBC/Warner Bros.)