MANCHESTER, NH – It seems everyone has an opinion—or a “take”—on everything these days, ranging from politics to sports to the shockingly mundane.
Some “takes” are civil and logical, while others are strange or acerbic. And some “takes” are simply indefensible, better kept to one’s self.
However, a group of local comedians have decided to publicly defend those “indefensible” takes in front of a live audience.
On Tuesday, Jan. 20, at The Shaskeen Pub and Restaurant in downtown Manchester, eight comics will take to the stage for “The Wrong Hill to Die On,” a live improvisational performance where four contestants—Matt Barry, Mona Forgione, Zach Remi and Tristan Hoffler—will attempt to defend absurd and controversial “hot takes” to a panel of three fellow comics and a live audience.
The takes could range from ideas such as providing comment cards in public bathrooms to children should start paying rent at 6 years old, said comedian and host Nick Sands, who organized the event with his friend and co-host Alex LaChance.
“Our goal is really to simulate the feeling of destroying a friend group over a stupid argument, for the crowd’s entertainment,” said Sands.
“The Wrong Hill to Die On” will use a four-round game show format that will also involve audience participation in two of the rounds.
Upon entering the venue, each audience member will receive a card where they can write their own “hot take.” The audience’s “takes” will then be placed in a container where the cards will be selected at random in the second round, and the contestants will then need to argue in favor of the “hot take.”
The audience will vote on the winners, measured by applause. Once the contestants are whittled down to two finalists in the third round, the remaining contestants will then choose an audience member to come to the stage and argue alongside the comedian in a head-to-head match that will ultimately determine the winner.
Throughout the show, the three panelists on stage—consisting of Sands, LaChance and Ken Murphy, an up-and-coming comedian—will attempt to humble the competitors by arguing the opposite side of the issue.
“We will do our best to poke holes in their arguments or completely destroy it,” said Sands.
The evening will begin with a 15-minute set by New England comic Derek Zeiba, warming up the crowd before the game show begins.
Inspired by shows such as “Story Warz,” the concept for “The Wrong Hill to Die On” was developed by Sands and LaChance, who had been throwing around the idea of putting together a live comedy game show podcast for at least a year. “The inspiration came from how much fun it is to argue with your friends over dumb stuff,” Sands said.
“The Wrong Hill to Die On” will also be recorded and turned into a full production as a podcast available on YouTube with the goal of continuing “to grow and evolve [the show] for years to come,” said Sands, adding that they are committed to the show for the long haul.
“There really isn’t some grand vision here,” Sands said. “We made this thing with the goal of having a good time. We aren’t trying to change the world, or make some profound statement, or change anyone’s life. All we want is to make people laugh and engage in something different. I hope people get to come out and have fun. That’s all.”
“The Wrong Hill to Die On” begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 and seating is limited.