Word: shtick
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...female comedians who make it big often do so by finding a particular shtick that differentiates them—consider Sarah Silverman’s hyper-vulgarity, Janeane Garofalo’s liberal dissent, or Kathy Griffin’s tabloid trash-talk. These are comics I personally respect and admire, but I don’t think that their brands of comedy have the broad appeal needed to anchor a mainstream network talk show...
Technically, there’s nothing wrong with “Volume Two;” Deschanel and Ward have produced a pretty, well-written record. But, as a second album, it could have gone a lot further. Their retro shtick works to an extent, but prevents them from reaching any musical or emotional heights. It’s light music at best, resolutely unwavering from its affect of bittersweet, upbeat melodies. She & Him’s vagueness ultimately fails to arouse any real feeling, leaving this album a disappointing failure...
...Case for American Greatness, leaves little doubt that he's spent the time away rebooting his message in preparation for an Oval Office bid. In No Apology, which hit stores March 2 and dovetails with a two-month publicity blitz, the former Massachusetts governor drops the social conservative shtick, preferring to focus on his managerial bona fides and the Obama Administration's missteps...
...blends 1980s-inspired power chords, driving rhythms and synth waves worthy of French electronic composer Jean-Michel Jarre. Coupled with more traditional synth-pop flourishes, these elements create an uplifting, resounding musical landscape. However, it would seem that in their attempts to detach themselves from their old shtick of bouncing house music, the group have left behind a little of the infectious melodies that made them famous. But the impressive—and at times touching—musical flourishes on “Black Light” are well deserving of praise...
...about the time the show reaches off-Broadway, the shtick starts to get a bit stale. Hunter's attempt to exclude the too-committed Heidi from the Broadway run puts an exceptionally cliché bump in the fabulous foursome's trail, while the inclusion of any of the musical’s developments or numbers starting with the song "Change It, Don't Change It/Awkward Photo Shoot" only serves to supplement the uncomfortable, forced mood in the most unfortunate of ways. "A Way Back to Then" is the exact sort of mushy, heartfelt song that Jeff stops Hunter from singing...