Issue date: 11/20/08 Section: Features

Media Credit: Courtesy Photo Comedians John Ross and François Fly will host "The No Show Show" Saturday at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Courtesy Photo [Click to enlarge]

With a name like "The No Show Show," there's one thing that might come to your mind: What kind of program has a name like that?

According to show producer and comedian John Ross, it's mostly a show with a number of different entertainment types.

"There's no other show like it in Northern California," Ross said. "The No Show' has stand up comedy, bands, odd sketches - just a heavy, variety involved show."

Ross will host the show with a fellow comedian who prefers to be known by his stage name "François Fly," who was seen on "Last Comic Standing."

"I'm actually a much bigger star," Fly jokes. "But I thought I'd do it anyway."

One of the bands will be Silver Darling, an alternative folk band who Ross said is not only his friends, but has "created a lot of buzz in Sacramento."

"It's a chance for bands to play in a quiet theatre setting," Ross said.

Besides music, the show features a number of stand-up comedy acts. Ross said many of acts are from comedians he as met over the last few years, including Steve Ferris, Chaz Hawkins, and Kiel Kennedy.

The idea for the show came from the realization that although Sacramento had many independent shows, both for comedians and bands, none of them had what Ross called "a gimmick" to draw people in.

Perhaps the first "gimmick" comes from the name. Where does a name like "The No Show Show" come from?

"Originally it was a joke," Ross said. "We ended up not changing the name because we were lazy, and we didn't want to name it 'The Variety Show.' "

Ross said he hopes to see the show to be a regular occurrence into the next year. The first two shows are to see how the deciding factor, namely the audience, reacts to the show. If "No Show" receives the response they hope for, it might be held second Saturday starting in January.

Not only an audience can benefit from the show said Ross, but comedians as well.

"A lot of comedians when they first start say 'I'm gonna make it, I'm gonna make it.' You can't wait to be discovered. You've got to do something to get discovered."

Steve Ferris, one of the stand-up comedians who will be at the show, said that, "If (people) want to laugh or want to listen, they'll want to come."

"Fly" has a simple explanation for why he thinks the audience will enjoy it. "There is only one reason to come: François Fly," he jokes.

For Ross, what he wants from the show is for audience members to just have a good time.

"Our goal is to make it the most entertaining night in Sacramento."

"The No Show Show" is at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Saturday, at the Geery Theater. Tickets are $12.50 in advance or $15 at the door. Sacramento State students pay $10 at the door with their student ids. The next show will be on Dec. 13.

Kyrie Eberhart can be reached at keberhart@statehornet.com

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