Jessica Holmes
25 Laughs to the Gallon
(Independent)
Holmes could yet be known as the woman who saved Air Farce (or at least made it watchable again). To make comedy, you have to break a few legs. Holmes lays into hillbillies, humanists and, mercilessly, celebrities who do a good job of being ridiculous already. Liza Minnelli is rendered pathetically adorable: A deadpan non-sequitur like “Well, I’ve gone on longer than my second toe” or “Are you in pill form?’ aptly punctuates the assault. You get the impression she’s done Liza since she was in kneesocks, adding nuance each time. Her send-ups of Celine Dion and assorted pop tarts register a bit catty, redeemed by malaprops worthy of Charlie Farquarson. Jessica’s nasty side catches the ear. Her Canadian zaniness brings home the laughs.
—Doug Taylor
This article appears in Dec 6-12, 2007.