Desperate to be a stand-up comic, Jimmy O. Yang goes from pursuing tims at every open mic club to hosting an open mic, learning a lot on the way to success from the not so nice people he encounters including his idol, Cedric the Entertainer, hyped up fellow comics obviously envious of him and show attendees including some major trainwreck drunken females who don't care that he has a nice girlfriend (Whitney Cummings). Yang, an absolute innocent, has to deal with some very humiliating experiences, including being slammed on the radio by someone who was obviously just out to sabotage him. All throughout, Yang strives to remain a nice guy in a cutthroat industry.
Some very funny moments in a bittersweet story reveals the sad truth that funny people aren't always happy people, and that it's best never to try to befriend your idols. It's rare when TV and movies get the chance to slam part of their own industry, and it also takes potshots at the club world as well, showing the negativity of certain type of groups who party way too much in the wrong way, most notably the ridiculousness of bachelorette parties, one of the most despised groups invading entertainment spaces. When Yang and Cedric get together after a positive experience, Cedric gets to lighten up and show some humanity over the initial ego facade. Had the film surrounded some of the supporting players rather than Yang and showed his occasional awkwardness, it would not have made the same impression. Like Will's comedy, some of the story doesn't land, so it's a mixed bag. But likeable Yang raises it a notch simply by being human and imperfect, and it's the story of his journey that makes the ride somewhat worth it.
Some very funny moments in a bittersweet story reveals the sad truth that funny people aren't always happy people, and that it's best never to try to befriend your idols. It's rare when TV and movies get the chance to slam part of their own industry, and it also takes potshots at the club world as well, showing the negativity of certain type of groups who party way too much in the wrong way, most notably the ridiculousness of bachelorette parties, one of the most despised groups invading entertainment spaces. When Yang and Cedric get together after a positive experience, Cedric gets to lighten up and show some humanity over the initial ego facade. Had the film surrounded some of the supporting players rather than Yang and showed his occasional awkwardness, it would not have made the same impression. Like Will's comedy, some of the story doesn't land, so it's a mixed bag. But likeable Yang raises it a notch simply by being human and imperfect, and it's the story of his journey that makes the ride somewhat worth it.