Cut Rating

I've never listened to The Thrilling Adventure Hour -- my podcast diet is quite bloated as it is. But it's a podcast I've thought about sampling a few times, a scripted show in the style of old-time radio, featuring a host of funny actors. I was given another push to try it out recently, when I listened to an original audiobook by the show's writers (Ben Acker and Ben Blacker): Cut and Run.

Kidney thieving is serious business, but that doesn't mean the people who engage in it are serious people. Samantha and Abe get into a complications on their latest organ heist when their target turns out to be a federal agent... who Sam has feelings for. Blowback ripples out to the long-time girlfriend Abe wants to propose to, the illustrator who does her children's books, and the sentimental middleman who sells the kidneys Sam and Abe steal. Presiding over the chaos is a sassy narrator almost too bemused to bother.

This roughly three-hour audiobook is a piece of classic comedy: taking a potentially dark and serious topic and simply refusing to take it seriously. It's not all about puns (though there are puns), and it's not all farcical (though there is farce). It's a pinch of rom-com, a dash of inept workplace comedy (The Office or Veep), and a whole lot of larger-than-life characters. It's not exactly trying to be laugh-out-loud funny (though occasionally it is), but it is a breezy little confection that goes down easily and delightfully.

It's the cast that really makes the experience. D'Arcy Carden (from The Good Place) is the unflappable Samantha. Sam Richardson (from Veep) is the most definitely flappable Abe. Rachel Bloom (of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) is the crazy current girlfriend of Abe, thirsty for adventure. Thomas Lennon (Reno 911!, among many other shows) is the agent giving chase. Ed Begley Jr. (you know him) is the most relaxed criminal you've ever met. And the wry narrator? None other than Meg Ryan, who puts a fun twist on her every intrusion into the story.

As is sometimes the case in comedy, the setup and the middle act hijinks are more fun than the ultimate conclusion."Yes and"-ing to build the story (even though this isn't improv) is a lot more fun than actually having to wrap things up. Still, I really enjoyed the tone of this production -- and the story was a fine delivery method for that tone.

I give Cut and Run a B+. If you're a fan of any of the performers, from any of their other work, I'd suggest you give it a try.