“Comedy Class” on Prime Video: what is this stand-up competition presented by Éric and Ramzy worth?

The armchairs are yellow (not red) but they are undeniably reminiscent of “The Voice”. Not a coincidence. Behind “Comedy Class”, a new game hosted by Éric and Ramzy, the first three episodes of which arrive this Friday, April 26 on Prime Video, we find the producers of the famous TV show on the front page.

If the candidates have a microphone in their hand, they will not have to sing a song: it is the future star of stand-up that the most emblematic duo of French humor has the mission of detecting at will. various and varied tests. We were able to view four of the nine parts of this new format. Our verdict.

A stratospheric duo

First lesson from the program: Éric Judor and Ramzy Bedia, in their hilarious fifties, still produce a nice bundle of sparks when they are in the same room. All it takes is a giggling introductory sketch on a balcony of the Crillon hotel to get the program off to a flying start.

With these two on the microphone, there is no risk of getting bored. And from episode to episode, thanks to irresistible asides in which they showcase their mastery of the absurd, the presenters rediscover this complicity which made the heyday of the small screen (the “H” series, in particular) as of the great (“The Infernal Montparnasse Tower”, “ Seuls Two”…).

To the first degree of a Nikos Aliagas officiating in “The Voice”, the duo of “Comedy Class” prefers the second, or even third permanent degree, mixing self-deprecation, inspired improvisations and well-felt punchlines when debriefing the performances. Example from Ramzy: “We have the impression that there is no valve (in a candidate’s sketch) and yet, I remember all his jokes. »

Talented candidates

This is the crux of the matter in this type of “talent show”, based on the principle as old as the cathode ray tube of telecrochet: if the candidates are not good, the show will never be good. Good pick. The selection of “Comedy Class” is generally of a good level, or even (for part) of a very good level.

For this, the production teams were able to attract comedians into their nets who are certainly unknown to the general public but who have been honing their jokes in comedy clubs, particularly in Paris, but not only, for quite some time.

We thus find some of our “favorites”, including Adel Fugazi, currently on the bill at the Nouvelle Seine (Paris Fifth) and whom we programmed during the last edition of Paris Paradis, the Parisian festival. But also promising young shoots like Sofiane Soch, Nadim, Brahms or Camille Lorente, whom the Parisian public has already been able to meet.

Called to perform their sketches on a central stage in front of the jury and a few dozen spectators, the candidates – roughly aged 20 to 40 – must deal with constraints according to the stages: free theme, then absurd, dark humor and ” roast”, an imposed figure of stand-up which consists of grilling someone with very spicy jokes. In this little game, a handful of participants quickly stand out from the crowd with their sights set on the check for 50,000 euros awaiting the winner.

Prestigious guests

This is the advantage when you rely on a duo like Éric and Ramzy for the presentation: with them, it is easier to land renowned “guests”.

Nice parade through the different sections: to choose with them the applicants called to qualify for the next stage, the two comedians can count on the discerning eye of prestigious playmates like the actors Marina Foïs and Jean-Pascal Zadi, the comedians from the Web Jérôme Niel and Mister V or the “boss”, Florence Foresti. Everyone brings their grain of salt and madness, notably through sequences filmed with Éric and Ramzy aside. Tasty.