Great Stand Up Constantly Interrupted By Terrifying AI
Garrett Millerick’s new show is fairly high concept. It explores the use of AI in comedy and how this can be used to lie to an audience, while terrifying us with the use of it live.
The conceit of this show is that Millerick has spent the last few months at home with an AI version of himself that he has had created. He has fed it all the stand up he has done and is testing it on the audience. Outside of that, we get some good old fashioned stand up, which is written really well. Without the AI, Millerick is a very good comedian, with a strong presence that keeps you hooked throughout his set. The more he embraces his own stand up routines the more it works for the audience and you leave wishing it was all the comedian, and less of the AI.
In this climate, it is brave to create and facilitate the perceived threat of AI taking over our creative jobs. Millerick handles this well, and is pointed in showcasing this AI to show the audience that outside of live comedy, we cannot trust what we see on the stage. The AI itself has all the information to create clever comedy, but falls at every hurdle. It is far too factual and cannot hit the rhythm of stand up. It truly misses the mark of a human led endeavour. If nothing else, Millerick proves that AI, even given all the tools, is no match for the live, human stand up.
This is the key issue with the show. It is constantly blighted by the use of the AI comedian. The rhythm is halted throughout, which stops the laughs and disconcerts the audience. If Millerick continues with this set, saving any use of the AI until later in the show would allow the audience to enjoy his stand up more. It is overused and becomes almost frustrating in its inadequacy as a stand up.
It’s an interesting idea, and one we can reflect on for a long time. A clever show that teaches us to not believe what we see on the screen, and to support live stand up, because it is far superior to the alternative.
Show Listing: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/garrett-millerick-we-tried-it-your-way
LISTINGS INFORMATION:
Venue: Baby Grand at Pleasance Courtyard
Dates: 5th – 30th (Not 10th, 17th, 24th)
Time: 16.35
Ticket prices: £15.00/ concessions £14.00
Fringe box office: 0131 226 0000 / www.edfringe.com
Suitable for 14+ (Guideline)