The Value of Rick

[Peau de Soie]

So I've been listening to about a month's worth of shows, and while I expected my initial impression would change, it hasn't -- Rick is NEVER funny on the show. Once in a long while he tries, usually making a very weak jab based on one of Artie's thousands of riffs per hour. It invariably falls flat. He's just not smart or clever.

His standup was always adequate, nothing special. But he provides zero humor on the Mick and Sparky Show.

Is he just there to keep Artie off the sleeping cot? I guess he tries to move things along and keep them more sports focused (both of which of course are detriments to the show). There were one or two shows where Artie was allowed to riff the entire time and sports were mostly ignored; I'm probably thinking of the one where Too Fat's ghost writer sat in. Those shows were the best.

Anyway, maybe Flick's value is in keeping the show from being must-listen. The way it is now I was able to get through some particularly nasty chores over the weekend while listening to the show. If Prick and the sports content went away I would have to listen much more closely to avoid missing anything...

Does anyone think Brick brings anything to the show?

[Nemo]

Sure Artie could do the show by himself.....:jj:

[Peau de Soie]

Sure Artie could do the show by himself.....:jj:

That doesn't really answer my question. What value do you think Rick specifically brings? Is it in fact just "generic straight host"? Is he the Jon Hein of DirecTV?

[Nemo]

That doesn't really answer my question. What value do you think Rick specifically brings? Is it in fact just "generic straight host"? Is he the Jon Hein of DirecTV?

:jj:

[JB50]

Its a sports show period. Nick got the show to begin with and chose Artie to be his partner. There would be no show without Nick. Artie without direction would be a rambling no sponsor having mess. Are you a liberal? I find most people who don't like Nick are usually from the left side of things.

[Peau de Soie]

I have no interest in sports, and little in politics. This is an Artie forum. So are you saying, JB50, that Schmidt's value is that of an ordinary sports radio host? Do you find him funny / as funny / funnier than Artie? Because you didn't directly answer the original question....

[jyanks]

Nick has value. Together with Artie, they have a lot of chemistry together & play off each other well (ex: Sox/Yanks rivalry). And he is funny - especially when he makes fun of Dan or talks about his wife paving the driveway. His humor is more subtle & less direct than Arite's, but it is there. I also like when Nick takes subtle digs at Stern, but that's my opinion.
My concern is....in the event, Artie is ever to fall off the wagon & is no longer capable of doing the show.....I cannot see the show surviving WITHOUT Artie. Nick can't do it by himself. And he would have an extremely hard time finding a replacement that complements him & brings the same kind of chemistry that Artie brings to the table.

[Peau de Soie]

Thanks, jyanks. I usually like subtle humor but I must be missing it listening to Snick. All the Felato jabs (hilarious ones) I hear are out of Artie. And I'm certainly not averse to hearing some Stern criticism but I haven't caught that yet either. I've only been listening for a couple of weeks.

I'll keep on listening, and maybe I'll change my mind. Thanks.

As to the post-Arthur era, I imagine it would just be a run of the mill sports show, no?

[jyanks]

As to the post-Arthur era, I imagine it would just be a run of the mill sports show, no?

Sports shows are a dime a dozen. And there isn't a need for another one.
Honestly, I can't see this show continuing without Artie.
I mean, who could possibly fill that void.....Colin Quinn? Joe Matarese? I'm not sure if it would work, so I hope Nick has a back-up plan in place.
With that said, I hope Artie stays clean & healthy.

[Peau de Soie]

Hey I hope he STARTS being clean and healthy. I no longer harbor any illusions when it comes to him, but I've decided to enjoy it while it lasts....

[ilovebacon]

Rick is NEVER funny on the show

THIS. Yes, there would be no show in the first place without him, but he's certainly not the reason I'm listening.... if Artie wasn't on, who here would be? Rick is soooo negative all the time- it gets to be exhausting after a while. And I didn't like how he got pissy with Dan the other day after Dan made the HUGE mistake of talking during the first part of the show. Rick's a dick, plain & simple. And don't even get me started on his weird PC rants: according to him, everything bad is the fault of liberals and/or women. I guess in his mind it should still be the 1950's & we should all be barefoot & pregnant.


If they dropped Rick & made Dan the co-host, the show would improve immensely IMO.... (a girl can dream...)

[sternski]

Nick has value. Together with Artie, they have a lot of chemistry together & play off each other well (ex: Sox/Yanks rivalry). And he is funny - especially when he makes fun of Dan or talks about his wife paving the driveway. His humor is more subtle & less direct than Arite's, but it is there. I also like when Nick takes subtle digs at Stern, but that's my opinion.
My concern is....in the event, Artie is ever to fall off the wagon & is no longer capable of doing the show.....I cannot see the show surviving WITHOUT Artie. Nick can't do it by himself. And he would have an extremely hard time finding a replacement that complements him & brings the same kind of chemistry that Artie brings to the table.

this.

[Leakyroof]

Its a sports show period. Nick got the show to begin with and chose Artie to be his partner. There would be no show without Nick. Artie without direction would be a rambling no sponsor having mess. Are you a liberal? I find most people who don't like Nick are usually from the left side of things.

Nah, not about his political views at all. Its that he makes almost every subject ABOUT politics. Its annoying. He's also a miserable fuck. Schtick or no schtick, all that gets tiresome.
Not that i think he's unfunny. Nick can be funny.

In his defense, he does have more on his plate. He prepares for the show, he humors the sports guests with actual questions about sports - he tries to give directtv what they want. Im sure that cuts some of his creativity off. Not in a "the higher ups wont let me do this and that" kind of way but more in terms of just having other shit to think about during the show.
Artie just has to come in and fuck around for 3 hours it seems, which is what he's great at. Nick unfortunately isn't as good at what he is doing but its still an entertaining show most of the time.

But the politics, always with the politics..

[ilovebacon]

Artie just has to come in and fuck around for 3 hours it seems, which is what he's great at

I disagree- Artie has done pre-show work... writing bits, songs, even recording guys at that bar the other day... he didn't have to do that, but he is putting in the effort.

[Greekfreak]

http://0.tqn.com/d/taoism/1/0/0/-/-/-/yinYang.gif
This

They're a great team in a lot of ways--they're buddies (you could tell even if you didn't know already), they play well and riff really well when they're together, and they're in tune comedically. Artie brings most of the funny and personality. Rick keeps Artie grounded and is probably responsible for making sure the baby gorilla stays on the tracks. Nick's a drug-free comic, far too right wing to be truly funny, but he makes me laugh occasionally. I think DiPaolo's probably a way better joke writer than anything else. Nick can't do impressions for shit, and Artie's brilliant at them. Off the cuff, they're both quick but Artie blows him away 9 times out of 10. Artie's the draw and it's Rick's gig. There would be no replacing Artie if something happened to him. I think also the fact that the schedule is more normal than THSS, makes for a much more normal life and sleeping patterns.

Rick's the straight man. Gelato's far from straight.

As for the "Stern jabs" there have been very few, but one reference early on in the show about how Artie got 44% most popular on THSS and Rick was the one who brought it up. I'm sure it burned Howard's ass when the numbers came out at the time, and Artie threw Howard under the bus when he was trying to defend him: "Well, people like who they can relate to, and I'm a dirtbag..."

[kev]

http://0.tqn.com/d/taoism/1/0/0/-/-/-/yinYang.gif
This

They're a great team in a lot of ways--they're buddies (you could tell even if you didn't know already), they play well and riff really well when they're together, and they're in tune comedically. Artie brings most of the funny and personality. Rick keeps Artie grounded and is probably responsible for making sure the baby gorilla stays on the tracks. Nick's a drug-free comic, far too right wing to be truly funny, but he makes me laugh occasionally. I think DiPaolo's probably a way better joke writer than anything else. Nick can't do impressions for shit, and Artie's brilliant at them. Off the cuff, they're both quick but Artie blows him away 9 times out of 10. Artie's the draw and it's Rick's gig. There would be no replacing Artie if something happened to him. I think also the fact that the schedule is more normal than THSS, makes for a much more normal life and sleeping patterns.

Rick's the straight man. Gelato's far from straight.

As for the "Stern jabs" there have been very few, but one reference early on in the show about how Artie got 44% most popular on THSS and Rick was the one who brought it up. I'm sure it burned Howard's ass when the numbers came out at the time, and Artie threw Howard under the bus when he was trying to defend him: "Well, people like who they can relate to, and I'm a dirtbag..."

I agree with this post. I started listening for Artie, came to laugh at a lot of Nick's jokes as well. Nick's politics get a little annoying sometimes. I was listening to one of the old shows, and he was trying to defend Santorum for bringing home his dead baby for his kids to see. WTF? One thing I respect him for though is the way he calls out society on the pussification of men nowadays. I hate that shit. So yeah, Artie is more entertaining but without Nick the show wouldn't be the same. The fact that they're both Italian and know all the same movies makes for some funny stuff.

[Peau de Soie]

Interesting; more Chick tolerators than I would have expected. Thanks for the input, folks.

[Napoleon V]

Nick has 10x the sports knowledge that Artie does

[koclem]

rick is a hack.

[koclem]

Nick has 10x the sports knowledge that Artie does

that certainly doesn't make him funny.

[Napoleon V]

that certainly doesn't make him funny.

no, but IT IS a sports show

[Peau de Soie]

no, but IT IS a sports show

For you and Slick, maybe. Some of us are just tolerating that part to hear Artie go off. If you just want a mildly wacky sports guy, the "Mad Dog and the Mad Dog Show" or Scott F. would suffice.

For people like me, suffering 30 year Stern withdrawal, it's all about the Langinator.

[sternski]

For you and Slick, maybe. Some of us are just tolerating that part to hear Artie go off. If you just want a mildly wacky sports guy, the "Mad Dog and the Mad Dog Show" or Scott F. would suffice.

For people like me, suffering 30 year Stern withdrawal, it's all about the Langinator.

if you have a cunt and dont like sports or nick.....sucks to be you.

[Peau de Soie]

if you have a cunt and dont like sports or nick.....sucks to be you.

Two out of three, but thanks for the sympathy.

[sternski]

Two out of three, but thanks for the sympathy.

waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

i dont like rick or sports.....waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

[Napoleon V]

I enjoy both Nick on the show and the sports talk

[AuntDolly]

I don't agree w/ Nick's politics (or the fact that he crowbars them into almost every subject), but I do think he's funny. Obviously, Artie dominates in the funny sector, but they have a great vibe together....like a bickering old married couple.

I'm so glad there's the ability to stream past shows. I can't count how many times I've turned off THSS in the morning and switched over to nickandartie.com.

[BethsZygote]

Rick knows more hockey and current sports shit

Nick could be replaced by Quinn, Fitizsimons, Carolla, etc, Artie would not be as easy.

[ilovebacon]

Nick could be replaced by Quinn, Fitizsimons, Carolla, etc

Or Brian Jones! #awesomesauce :cheer:

[koclem]

I enjoy both Nick on the show and the sports talk
I like sports talk just fine, i just cant take Mick. To each there own.

[onefourthree]

I was not very familiar with Nick or any of his work prior to the show, and in the beginning it took me a while to appreciate him. But I have to say over the course of the last few months I have grown to love the guy. I don't think he is quite as funny as Artie, but I do find him funny. Artie is so good with the voices and impressions, and the improvising, there's really no comparison there. But you have to understand that Nick has a very different job and expectations for him on the show. He's responsible for driving the car, getting them where they're supposed to go (according to DirectTV), and acting as a guide for the guests and callers. Artie's job is to ride shotgun and crack jokes, period. If Artie doesn't know something about sports, it doesn't matter, cause it's part of his role that he can just make fun of it. So you have to understand that, in a lot of ways, Nick's job is a lot tougher than Artie's. Not that Artie's role as basically a writer/entertainer is any less significant (of course not), it just shouldn't be underestimated the challenges Nick faces as he navigates "running the show."

Also, I think you guys don't realize that a lot of Artie's lines are in fact written by Nick. They may write individually, but I'm sure that at least some portion of the material Artie delivers is Nick's.

As for the political rants....he seems to be doing less of that. I don't agree with his politics for the most part.....but that doesn't make me appreciate him any less. When I hear him blurting out his conservative viewpoint, it's actually pretty funny to me, it's almost like a Tourette's episode, or some kind or neurosis he's incapable of containing. That in itself is hilarious and endearing to me. It's almost like I kinda feel for the guy.....everyone is a slave to their own psyche.....so I see Nick as a great joke writer, funny in an intentional way, but also just someone I laugh at, being unintentionally funny....in fact I have a feeling he's probably partly aware of this dynamic himself (I know Artie is), and playing it up.

[AuntDolly]

Nick could be replaced by Quinn, Fitizsimons, Carolla, etc, Artie would not be as easy.

Agree about Colin & Adam....Fitzsimmons, not so much.

Early on when Fitz was a guest on THSS, I thought he was funny. As time went on (and as I listened to his show on 101), I got annoyed by the "short, angry Irish guy" schtick. I don't have a problem with the Irish, I'm 1/2 myself. I can't believe he secured a book deal. I know it's "the thing" for comics to write books, but is Greg nationally-known? Sarah Silverman is, and I really like her, but I didn't buy her book, either.

[mpa]

Rick is a whinny bitch, was listening to Monday's show and Artie took it over but was being absurdly funny, and Rick mutter, oh great it's the Artie show. Rick needs to get over his butthurt and learn when to try to reign Arnie in when he's off the rails, but feed the fat fuck when he's going off funny wise.

Dan and Artie are better on the radio than Rick and Arnie.

[Peau de Soie]

Also, I think you guys don't realize that a lot of Artie's lines are in fact written by Nick. They may write individually, but I'm sure that at least some portion of the material Artie delivers is Nick's.


I liked the rest of your thoughtful post, but I don't believe that. Schick is sputtering in a golf cart while Hearty is racing around the track in an Indy car. There's no way he's writing material FOR ARTIE on the fly. Maybe some pre-show work, but I would doubt that too.

And yeah, his palpable jealousy might be the end of the show even before Arthur's next episode.

[Greekfreak]

His jealousy keeps him going--nobody writes anything for Artie, although on THSS when he was doing the "Emotional Friend Redux", Fred and Benjy were writing stuff for him; he admitted as much. But he also came up with his own stuff too.

My top 3 guests are

1) Brian Jones
2) Nice Coaches
3) Glen Kowslowski

The Dave Atell and Jim Florentine shows were good too, but not as good as those three. The last one especially was good when they were goofing on Jimmy Johnson's "Extenz" commercial.

[Salmo]

no, but IT IS a sports show

ANd the less and less that is true, the more and more fun the show is getting to be.

[BethsZygote]

The Norm and Artie Show!

[onefourthree]

I liked the rest of your thoughtful post, but I don't believe that. Schick is sputtering in a golf cart while Hearty is racing around the track in an Indy car. There's no way he's writing material FOR ARTIE on the fly. Maybe some pre-show work, but I would doubt that too.

And yeah, his palpable jealousy might be the end of the show even before Arthur's next episode.

This is the biggest payday Rick's ever had....I seriously doubt he'll sabotage that. He can seem sensitive sometimes, but I think he's somebody that gets over stuff like that quickly and moves on. He's clearly more mature than Arnie in that sense. Plus he just doesn't have the track record to make me think he's going to make a knee jerk decision about something he knows he's so fortunate to be a part of..

As for the writing, a number of times they've alluded to how they come up with ideas and write things for the show. If you think he's not a big part of that, you're mistaken. Now, when Artie is going off the top, I don't think he's feeding him lines (like Jackie Martling). He's busy doing the show....though I wouldn't be surprised if he came up with things in the breaks for Artie to use.....

[jms397]

I just watched Raw Nerve on Netflix. Could they have airbrushed Rick's picture any more? Arnie needs to give him shit about the gay airbrushing.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51oWv-vz2UL._SX500_.jpg

[Peau de Soie]

Oy, Artie's quoting a Bill Murray movie where Bill is telling school children to "take dead aim at the rich kids" and comparing it to an underdog sports team rivalry, and Stick throws in "Was Obama writin' movie scripts back then?"

At the beginning the same show Flick tried some rare improv and it was embarrassing -- just dead air. Art couldn't even muster a sympathy chuckle.

[racerx]

Rick knows more hockey and current sports shit

Nick could be replaced by Quinn, Fitizsimons, Carolla, etc, Artie would not be as easy.

nick is good for the show because he does all the business stuff that artie cant or wont do.

but i dont get how nick is a comedian, i never heard him be funny.
its a weird profession where like anyone can be a comedian if they want

[Peau de Soie]

I know what you mean; in fairness to Schick I've heard comedians who are surprisingly earnest or unfunny in interviews (most recently Jim Gaffigan and Jim Florentine) but when they're actually PERFORMING they're supposed to be funny. Mick's not. Still, he was actually okay in the last couple of hours I heard; he even threw in 1 or 2 funny voices that didn't totally suck.

But another question -- what's with the 3rd hand retread "raw nerve" title for his special? Shatner just got finished using it as the title of a TV show...

[Leakyroof]

As for the political rants....he seems to be doing less of that. I don't agree with his politics for the most part.....but that doesn't make me appreciate him any less. When I hear him blurting out his conservative viewpoint, it's actually pretty funny to me, it's almost like a Tourette's episode, or some kind or neurosis he's incapable of containing. That in itself is hilarious and endearing to me. It's almost like I kinda feel for the guy.....everyone is a slave to their own psyche.....so I see Nick as a great joke writer, funny in an intentional way, but also just someone I laugh at, being unintentionally funny....in fact I have a feeling he's probably partly aware of this dynamic himself (I know Artie is), and playing it up.

You nailed it with that post! Especially the quoted part. Many times i've felt the exact same way listening to him.

Listening to thursdays show now, Nick let out that he was on anti-depressants at one point in time. He really didnt want to talk about it but Artie wouldnt let go and got it out of him.
That was news to me. Doesn't really surprise me actually, but it does add something to his person going forward.

[Nemo]

neurosis....:jj:

you leftys are amazing!

[onefourthree]

neurosis....:jj:

you leftys are amazing!

That political talk is just Nick being a little kid, acting out. We try to hide it and talk tough, but the reality is, everybody's got their insecurities. It doesn't really matter what the manifestation of it is.

[BethsZygote]

neurosis....:jj:

you leftys are amazing!

blaming Obama for the 8 disastrous years of a chimp for prez is the real neurosis.

Newt Gingrich, and his 'republican revolution' ushered in the most divisive, inactive, and ineffective congresses in history. His partistanship is the reason congress has an overall approval rating of 8%. They may have thrown him out, but they sure continue to run his playbook.

Anyone who cant see that the GOP is responsible for todays gridlock certainly is living in a bubble. The 'Buffet Rule' FAILED the Senate 51-45. Failed with a MAJORITY. Threatening to filibuster everything is the EXACT same as an eight year old threatening to quit and take their ball home.

Its pretty obvious the upper brass told Nick to cool it, he has be WAY less political.

[Senator Rick]

Although I can't stand him, I see Di Paolo more as a Bud Abbott to Artie's Lou Costello.
I'd pay real money to see them in an updated version of an A&C movie... Nick & Artie Meet Frankenstein.

[Nemo]

blaming Obama for the 8 disastrous years of a chimp for prez is the real neurosis.

Newt Gingrich, and his 'republican revolution' ushered in the most divisive, inactive, and ineffective congresses in history. His partistanship is the reason congress has an overall approval rating of 8%. They may have thrown him out, but they sure continue to run his playbook.

Anyone who cant see that the GOP is responsible for todays gridlock certainly is living in a bubble. The 'Buffet Rule' FAILED the Senate 51-45. Failed with a MAJORITY. Threatening to filibuster everything is the EXACT same as an eight year old threatening to quit and take their ball home.

Its pretty obvious the upper brass told Nick to cool it, he has be WAY less political.

Buffet rule........that will save us....:jj:

Obama....Reid....Pelosi are amazing?

Who are you Ed Schultz....:jj:

[Peau de Soie]

Although I can't stand him, I see Di Paolo more as a Bud Abbott to Artie's Lou Costello.
I'd pay real money to see them in an updated version of an A&C movie... Nick & Artie Meet Frankenstein.


You think it takes talent to play Frankenstein??

It's all, all MAKEUP and, and GRUNTING.

[AprilShowers281]

Nick totally holds the show together. it doesn't sound like he can just sit there and goof off. He has to run the thing. Artie just keeps rambling sometimes and he gets pissy when they have to take a break. Like it's nick's choice and not the stations. Artie has no ability to read a clock or something. The only reason they ever get to breaks or callers or we hear their call in number is because Nick does all of that. He keeps the show moving. I think it's a perfect combo and love them both. Nick does the stories they have to discuss etc and Artie does all the improv and silly stuff and songs, which are great. From listening to them it sounds like they don't WANT to do as much sports as they do but they HAVE to because it was "sold" as a sports show. Regarding Nick getting the show - Yes, you are right. I heard them tell the story on Kimmel or something. NICK was offered a radio show from the Directv and he DID do radio before. He had his own radio show in NY and I heard him fill in for Dan Patrick (directv too!) a few times. I used to hear him all the time on Dennis Miller too. Artie said he called Nick at home out of the blue and Nick was looking for a cohost and Artie just happened to call that day so Nick asked him if he wanted to be his cohost. Simple as that. They both bring what needs to be brought to the show.

[kev]

Nick totally holds the show together. it doesn't sound like he can just sit there and goof off. He has to run the thing. Artie just keeps rambling sometimes and he gets pissy when they have to take a break. Like it's nick's choice and not the stations. Artie has no ability to read a clock or something. The only reason they ever get to breaks or callers or we hear their call in number is because Nick does all of that. He keeps the show moving. I think it's a perfect combo and love them both. Nick does the stories they have to discuss etc and Artie does all the improv and silly stuff and songs, which are great. From listening to them it sounds like they don't WANT to do as much sports as they do but they HAVE to because it was "sold" as a sports show. Regarding Nick getting the show - Yes, you are right. I heard them tell the story on Kimmel or something. NICK was offered a radio show from the Directv and he DID do radio before. He had his own radio show in NY and I heard him fill in for Dan Patrick (directv too!) a few times. I used to hear him all the time on Dennis Miller too. Artie said he called Nick at home out of the blue and Nick was looking for a cohost and Artie just happened to call that day so Nick asked him if he wanted to be his cohost. Simple as that. They both bring what needs to be brought to the show.

Good post. I don't understand the hate Nick gets sometimes. At the Foxwoods show Saturday night I thought he was just as good as Artie when it came to his standup. He's a funny guy, but unfortunately has to be in charge of the show so he doesn't get to go nuts like Artie does.

[Peau de Soie]

Finally.

Answered.

[IllegalSearch]

everyone should re-read this thread...

[mpa]

Sure Artie could do the show by himself.....:jj:

You're not just a faggot, you''re a psychic faggot.