If America’s late-night scene is underappreciated by the broadcast media, don’t blame Dave Attell. For three years now, he’s been plugging away at America after hours, vigorously documenting the vampire shift across the country on his Comedy Central series “Insomniac.”
Dec. 5 marks the inception of the show’s third season, and Attell couldn’t be prouder of the drunken debauchery he’s captured for the world to behold. He’s seen plenty on his cross-country quests, and somewhere along the way he developed a loyal fan base, including a significant prison following. Along with his profound understanding of tavern culture, Attell can attest to the variety and diversity of our country’s seediest pastime — staying out way too late.
“The concept was really my idea,” said Attell, a veteran stand-up comic who prefaces every “Insomniac” with samples of his comedy. “It’s the comic lifestyle of doing your routine, then hitting the bars and staying up until dawn.”
“Insomniac” centers around Attell’s ability to disarm passers by and bar rats, bamboozling them into a raunchy story or anecdote with his rapier wit and cutting jokes. On a given night, he might stop at a handful of bars, late-night eateries and busy outdoor areas where people are still buzzing in the hours past midnight.
“It’s just me asking, ‘Hey what are you guys doing?’ and just playing reporter,” he said. “I need to think of some new questions. The best situations are when people just start talking about what’s happening.”
The show’s quality is a function of Attell’s late-night expertise. In his travels, he’s become something of a Jack Kerouac for the slacker generation, methodically ornamenting his travel log with observant pearls of skeezy Americana.
“Kalil is one of the real heroes of the late night world,” he said in an impromptu ode to the 24-hour cornerstore attendant. “Whether it’s steeming hot or freezing cold, Kalil is at his post, making sure you’ve got cigarettes, condoms and porn. And watch out, he’s armed!”
Despite his biting humor, Attell keeps “Insomniac” going with his easygoing nature and his natural charm. In a visit to New Orleans last season, he attended a late-night, dirt-track car race on the Westbank, then he teamed up with the Jefferson Parish Police Department who use the wee morning hours to snipe unwitting nutrias from a police truck. As podunk an activity as that is, Attell saw the underlying humor of the situation, immediately jumping on board to open fire on a giant water rat. The bit became a highlight of the series to date.
Attell will make another trip to the Big Easy in season three, so keep an eye out for more drunken nutria histrionics this time around.
The new season of “Insomniac” will air Thursdays at 9:30 p.m. with encore presentations on Sundays at 11:30 p.m.