Strip Search 1.25: Where High Concept Loses To Hilarity
It’s Tavis vs. Abby in the Iron Artists’ art-off! And, per the “standards” set by the creators, Mike Krahulik and Jerry Holkins, we’re privy to another Ramsey-esque round of heckling. You’ve got to admit that this aspect is the closest we’ve come to what television calls reality TV nowadays. Except it’s far funnier and not intentionally hurtful or insane.
Thing is, while Tavis is in my top three, and has been for eons, I can’t see him outwitting Abby when it comes to the elimination comics. Tavis is a sincerely good guy and while funny, he lacks that edge that Abby just comes by naturally in her work. At the Wastebasket, Tavis draws ‘theatre’ and Abby pulls out ‘cats.’ For the first time, we watch as a Redraw Ticket is used as Abby chooses to discard Tavis’ ‘theatre’ and draw another topic, this one being ‘cars.’
Cars + Cats. This can’t possibly produce anything good, right? Wrong.
Minus one of these will leave us with four. Math is cool.
Just like in the sixth elimination, Abby gives as good she gets all over again. Don’t know if it’s as cool as talking to dead people, but it comes pretty close. She has a personality that just jives with the attitude of P-A. She wasn’t even in my radar until she hit and ran on her first elimination. Her second time pencil fencing was no different.
Jerry: You think you’re better than me?
Abby: <deadpan> Yes.
Her strip was brilliant and had me laughing out loud, which, of course, is why she won the challenge. I don’t mean to discount Tavis, but he’s been losing steam the longer he’s away from his family.
That and Tavis’ strip, unfortunately, just wasn’t as well executed.
Katie wins the challenge, Abby stomps all over the elimination.
That leaves my Top Three a Top Two list, with a caveat that I think Abby has a really good chance at this thing. Looking forward to seeing what Strip Search pulls out of the pencil bag for the last three social games and challenges.
My current top three is now just my top two:
Katie, Tavis, and Maki- though I think Abby could bag it all. Apparently I don’t think Lexxy will win it, despite my feelings that Mike and Jerry are a bit skewed towards her. Interesting.
New episodes air Tuesday and Friday on Penny Arcade and youtube.
Current Standings:
Abby Howard, 20, Montreal, Quebec.
She’s the youngest and has the least experience. But she draws dinosaurs! However, will any of those things even matter?
(Kept: Elimination #6)
(Social Game #7 / Full set of Jungle Speed games, and the final Redraw Ticket)
(Kept: Elimination #8)
Alex Hobbs, 22, Tempe, AZ.
This swear-word dropping free-spirit is highly likeable, but will his work be up to par? Set to graduate post-Strip Search, it’ll be interesting to see where this will take him. Eliminated 1st Challenge
Amy Falcone, 24, Noank, CT
Gamer to the innards, Amy is serious and competitive to a fault. Will that fault be her undoing? Whatever the result, quitting her job to do Strip Search shows her passion.
(Challenge #1 Winner)
(Social Game #3 / Drawing Blind Winner – Intuos5 Tablet)
(Eliminated 5th Challenge)
Erika Moen, 29, Portland, OR
Proven work in social and sexual commentary brings her to the contest with a following that marks her as one to have eyes on.
(Social Game #3 / Drawing Blind Winner – Intuos5 Tablet)
(Challenge #4 Winner)
(Eliminated 6th Challenge)
Katie Rice,31, Burbank, CA
A soft-spoken artist with a following of her own. Some of those fans are also fellow contestants. Will she use the star power to stun?
(Kept: Elimination #1)
(Kept: Elimination #2)
(Social Game #4 / Street Art Winner – Artist Alley booth at NYCC ’13)
(Social Game #5 / Sculpt-Off Winner – Redraw Ticket)
(Social Game #7 / Table-Tennis-Off – unknown prize!)
(Challenge #7 Winner)
(Challenge #8 Winner)
Lexxy – Alexandra Douglas, 27, Carmel, IN
Also seen in Penny Arcade: The Series, she’s dealt with Gabe and Tycho’s reality egos. If that helps or harms remains to be seen.
(Social Game #2 / Seattle Trivia Winner – Wacom Cintiq HD Tablet)
(Eliminated 3rd Challenge – BARELY)
(Returned to compete after the double elimination #4)
(Social Game #6 / SS Grand Prix Winner – Penny Arcade “First Party” Wardrobe)
(Kept: Elimination #7)
Mac – Mackenzie Schubert, 26, Portland, OR
Quiet, doe-eyes Mac has a very defined artistic style all his own. It’ll be interesting to watch how his gentle soul deals with the mood swings a competitive show can bring.
(Eliminated 4th Challenge)
(Social Game #4 / Street Art Winner – Artist Alley booth at NYCC ’13)
Maki Naro, 31, Brooklyn, NY
While I sincerely hope this guy watches Psych, his cool logic and talent may very well be what brings him to the final set of competitors.
(Social Game #1 / Fax Machine Winner – Redraw Ticket)
(Social Game #4 / Street Art Winner – Artist Alley booth at NYCC ’13)
(Kept: Elimination #5)
Monica Ray, 22, Northbrook, IL
While seemingly quiet at the beginning, Monica’s super-power of Always Doing Something And Befriending All seems a gift. Remains to be seen if that gift implodes or explodes.
(Challenge #5 Winner)
(Eliminated 7th Challenge)
Nick Trujillo, 30, Walnut Creek, CA
Something of a philosopher and jack of all trades, Nick’s ability to be alright with people and make good art is something to watch. But will his relative newness to the industry be a detriment?
(Challenge #2 Winner)
(Challenge #3 Winner)
(Eliminated 4th Challenge)
Tavis Maiden, 31, Mesa, AZ
Bringing the attitude only a parent can, Tavis wants this more than any five-year-old screaming for the last piece of cake. He may get it, too.
(Kept: Elimination #3)
(Challenge #6 Winner – Black Ink Pro Kit and Airbrush Kit from Copic)
Ty Halley, 25, Portsmouth, OH
Clipped, dry witted Ty has no brain-to-mouth–filter. And, he’s using his time on Strip Search as material for his own daily life strip. That will be interesting.
All bios and links to the personal websites of each artist can be found here.
