Episode #681 of Kill Tony Recap: A Night of Bombs, Spelling Bees, and a Surprising Savior

Aired on September 10, 2024, episode #681 of Kill Tony was a rollercoaster of hits, misses, and unexpected drama. Featuring guests Greg Fitzsimmons and Sam Jay, the episode had its share of memorable moments, but overall struggled to reach the high energy fans have come to expect. The evening was filled with a series of bombed sets, awkward interviews, and a surprising scandal involving a tape measure. In the end, regular Ari Matti saved the show with a standout performance.

Opening Act: Heath Cortes’ Questionable State (8:45)

The episode opened with Heath Cortes, whose behavior quickly sparked fan speculation. His red, inflamed nose and frequent sniffing led many to wonder if he was under the influence of cocaine. Despite these suspicions, Cortes managed to deliver a clever set and a fun interview. His jittery energy kicked off the show with an unpredictable tone that would carry through the rest of the night.

Mothership’s Own Fuzzy Brings the Edgy Humor (14:25)

Next up was Mothership staff member Fuzzy, who brought the house down with edgy jokes about religion. His interview, filled with humorous quips about his lack of involvement in 9/11, continued the edgy theme. Fuzzy’s strong performance and sharp wit made him an early highlight of the episode.

Promising Newcomer and a Series of Bombs

The show quickly hit a rough patch with the following performers.

Mackenzie Jewel (24:20): Mackenzie delivered a solid minute with a variety of well-crafted jokes. Her interesting interview and strong stage presence suggest she’s a talent to watch in future episodes.
Goliath (31:55): Nerves got the best of Goliath, resulting in a 40-second flop filled with stammering and panic. His interview did little to improve the situation, marking him as the first major bomb of the night.
Drew Nickens (37:30): Despite his usual role of following a bomb with high energy, Drew Nickens also bombed. Not even the efforts of Greg Fitzsimmons and Sam Jay during his interview could salvage his awkward performance.

Mitchel McArthur and the Height Scandal (48:40)

Mitchel McArthur delivered a disastrous set and interview, but the real drama came during his height scandal. Heidi and Yoni came on stage with a tape measure, revealing that McArthur had been lying about his height. This moment turned what could have been just another bomb into an unexpected and cringe-worthy spectacle. In an attempt to add some levity, Heidi returned with scales to weigh him, proving he was at least honest about his weight. Mitchel left the stage in embarrassment, clutching a small joke book, but the awkwardness of the moment lingered.

Cain, Kam Patterson, and the Ad Hoc Spelling Bees

The show found some middle ground with the following acts.

Cain (1:00:35): Cain managed to get a few laughs with a joke that had potential but needed more refinement. His interview, centered around his Mexican heritage, was interesting but not particularly memorable.
Kam Patterson (1:09:30): Kam delivered an “alright” set with a new minute but truly shone during his interview. His entertaining stories about his friends and family had the audience laughing, showcasing his strength in the unscripted parts of the show.
Black Spelling Bee (1:09:15): Tony introduced an ad hoc spelling bee segment, offering Sam Jay and Kam Patterson $500 to spell “increments.” This unexpected bit added a fun, lighthearted moment amidst the evening’s ups and downs.

Jake Hays and a Series of Flops

The latter part of the episode continued the mixed success of the night.

Jake Hays (1:26:30): Jake’s set was decent, especially for someone with only a year of experience in stand-up. His interview became memorable when Tony compared his physical appearance to a centaur, adding some much-needed humor. He walked away with a big joke book, thanks to the fun interaction.
Joe Filey (1:37:15): Joe Filey’s set was more unsettling than comedic, veering into descriptions of abuse rather than jokes. His interview was equally unconventional, resulting in one of the episode’s most awkward segments.
Uncle Lazar (1:43:15): Uncle Lazar delivered a mediocre set followed by a slightly more amusing interview. This was followed by another ad hoc segment, the “White Trash Spelling Bee,” which brought mild entertainment.
Elisha and Angel Miguez Bomb (1:54:30, 1:57:48): Elisha delivered an awkward and poorly received set, followed by an equally uncomfortable interview. Angel Miguez followed with another bomb but slightly redeemed himself during his interview, earning a small joke book for his efforts.

Special Appearance: Pauly Shore and Show Redemption by Ari Matti

As the show neared its end, it finally found some redemption.

Pauly Shore (2:04:59): Pauly Shore made a special appearance, delivering a solid minute that energized the crowd. His experience and charisma brought a much-needed boost to the episode.
Ari Matti (2:14:18): Regular Ari Matti closed the night with a killer set. His well-written jokes, flawless delivery, and commanding stage presence won over the crowd and ended the show on a high note. The subsequent “Estonian Spelling Bee” was a fitting and funny cap to his performance.

Guest Panel: Sam Jay and Greg Fitzsimmons

Sam Jay’s appearance was marked by a noticeable lack of enthusiasm. Her discomfort with certain jokes, particularly those referencing Black people, made her seem out of place on the show. Greg Fitzsimmons contributed some moments of value but didn’t leave a lasting impression as a guest.

Conclusion: A Lackluster Episode with Bright Spots and Height Scandals

Episode #681 of Kill Tony was a mixed bag, filled with more bombs than hits and punctuated by a surprising height scandal. Mitchel McArthur’s lie about his height became a cringeworthy highlight in an otherwise lackluster show. Despite some solid performances from Fuzzy and Pauly Shore, and Ari Matti’s strong finish, the episode struggled to maintain the high energy that fans expect. The ad hoc segments added some humor, but they weren’t enough to lift the overall mood. In the end, it was a night that demonstrated the unpredictable nature of live comedy, where not every joke lands, but every moment has the potential to become a spectacle.