''Important Things with Demetri Martin'' was a sketch-

variety show Variety show, also known as variety arts or variety entertainment, is entertainment made up of a variety of acts including musical performances, sketch comedy, magic, acrobatics, juggling, and ventriloquism. It is normally introduced by a comp� ...

that aired on

Comedy Central Comedy Central is an American Cable television in the United States, cable television channel, channel owned by Paramount Global through its Paramount Media Networks, network division's Paramount Media Networks#MTV Entertainment Group, MTV Ente ...

starring comedian Demetri Martin. Each episode examines a single theme, the "important thing", such as timing, power, control and money. All sketches, short vignettes, animated segments and stand-up comedy are loosely related to the theme of the episode. The show was produced by

Jon Stewart Jon Stewart (born Jonathan Stuart Leibowitz, November 28, 1962) is an American comedian, writer, producer, director, political commentator, actor, and television host. The long-running host of ''The Daily Show'' on Comedy Central from 1999 to 20 ...

's Busboy Productions, and contains

stand-up Stand-up comedy is a performance directed to a live audience, where the performer stands on a stage (theatre), stage and delivers humour, humorous and satire, satirical monologues sometimes incorporating physical comedy, physical acts. These ...

, prop comedy and musical comedy by Martin, as well as taped sketches. Jon Stewart took an active role in editing the first few episodes. H. Jon Benjamin appeared in eight episodes and had a writing credit on seven as well.

Recurring segments

In addition to Demetri's unconventional style of stand-up comedy, which he has performed for many years, there are several recurring segments on the show including: Opening Act – In the opening of the show, Demetri Martin greets the audience and brings up the theme/topic of the show. This is followed with a short joke via flashcards. The card generally has play-buttons with a caption under them, which Demetri then reads and decides which one he will choose, usually "Jokes". Good, Bad, Interesting – Demetri presents a good, a bad and an interesting reaction to topics based on everyday life situations. This is... – Often used as a transition, this segment features a single humorous concept related to the show's topic in which one or more cast members will act out. Important Things Things – An infomercial narrated by Demetri in which imaginary products related to the show's topic are advertised for sale. The products are often comically impractical or unnecessary like the "Burning-Hand Potholder" featured in the Strategy episode. Demetrocles/Da Mici – In this segment, Demetri presents a humorous concept related to the show's topic as an ancient philosopher much like Socrates or Plato or an inventor like Da Vinci. Other Jokes – This segment consists of other jokes about the topic that weren't included in the Opening Act. New Expressions – In this segment Demetri is approached by a series of people that talk about different situations. Demetri responds to each person with an original saying/expression that applies to the situation.

Episodes

Season 1 (2009)

Season 2 (2010)

Reception

Ratings

The Comedy Central show premiered on Wednesday February 11, 2009 and attracted 2.4 million viewers, making it the best cable series show since ''

Chappelle's Show ''Chappelle's Show'' is an American sketch comedy television series created by comedians Dave Chappelle and Neal Brennan, with Chappelle hosting the show and starring in the majority of its sketches. Chappelle, Brennan, and Michele Armour were ...

'' drew 2.5 million views in 2003.

Critical reception

The show has received generally positive reviews from critics, and currently has a 71/100 rating on

Metacritic Metacritic is an American website that aggregates reviews of films, television shows, music albums, video games, and formerly books. For each product, the scores from each review are averaged (a weighted average). Metacritic was created ...

, based on 8 reviews.

Cancellation

During a comedy show at College Park, Maryland on October 28, 2010, Demetri Martin confirmed that

had not picked up the show for a third season.KPCS: Demetri Martin #107
Cancellation Confirmed The first season was released on DVD on September 8, 2009, while the second season was released September 14, 2010.

References

External links

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Demetri Martin gets his own show on Comedy Central

Blogcritics – review – TV Preview: Important Things with Demetri Martin Premieres Feb. 11
{{Comedy Central programming 2009 American television series debuts 2010 American television series endings 2000s American late-night television series 2010s American late-night television series 2000s American musical comedy television series 2010s American musical comedy television series 2000s American sketch comedy television series 2010s American sketch comedy television series 2000s American variety television series 2010s American variety television series American television series with live action and animation Comedy Central late-night programming American English-language television shows Television series by Busboy Productions